Q&A: Tips on puppy training & also how to integrate a new puppy with my cats?
Question by mrauscher74: Tips on puppy training & also how to integrate a new puppy with my cats?
So…. I was out almost all day Sunday with friends & when I came home there was a new addition to my family! My husband had been talking about this for a few months, but I didn’t realize how serious he was until I saw the cute little puppy napping in the carrier on the kitchen floor!
Surprise!!!!
I didn’t know what to think, but I fell instantly in love!
Now I told him before, when he was talking about getting a dog, that it would be his & my son’s responsibility… & he agreed “Oh, yes.. you won’t have to worry about it!” But guess who is home most of the day…. that’s right—Me! I know nothing about potty training a dog, etc. & there have already been a few accidents. The place he bought the puppy from did, however, provide us with some handouts & info.
Right now the puppy is confined to the kitchen until he is house-broken. We have paper on the floor, & he has all the essentials. I take him outside about every 2 hours to try to get him to ‘go’.
(to be continued….)
Now I am a little worried about how the four cats in my house are going to handle the adjustment. My one, Kayla, doesn’t seem to be bothered by the puppy, & has been in the kitchen several times, looked at it, & walked away. The others are keeping their distance. I put one of the litter boxes in the other end of the house , just incase the cats get too scared to go to the back room(which is past the kitchen) to use it.
I could use some suggestions…..
Also, we are working on a name. There is a pic & description of the puppy on my 360 page, if anyone cares to check it out & leave some ideas. You may leave a comment on my blog or here.
Thank you ! ![]()
Thanks for your responses so far!
Please do not send me advertisements for videos &/or books. I’m asking for advice from others who have had the same experience.
Best answer:
Answer by grmln2004
They have puppy pads that will help potty trainning them.
What do you think? Answer below!

Feed, count to 15, take out side to poop. lol
Cats will scratch and it’ll learn it’s limits.
Btw pick up and clean with smellies, any accidents, right away.
There is so much advice for a new puppy owner that it is amazing. I found a great site that had more than enough information and their tips really worked with my pup.
It’s http://www.so-easy-dog-training.com
Good Luck
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Crate training is the best way to go for potty training. There are lots of websites that show how to do this for free…..basically puppy goes in when you are not at home. Dogs don’t like to go where they sleep. Take it out every couple of hours when you are home and after he eats and drinks. Establish a schedule. Take him outside to the same place so he establishes a routine. Don’t worry about the cats, they will work it out between themselves eventually.
i just got me a new pup and i too have 2 cats but i don’t worry to much since the dogs and cats will work it out them self just make sure you correct your pup if he is to hard on the cats tell him no if he bites them
just make sure that he knows that you and your family members are the boss OK and with the house training there are so many ways you can do that i rub there noses in it wen they did there business in the house i know a lot of people don’t like that but i say what ever works
When I brought 5 mos old Bubba home as a 6 wk old pup…Baby my 4yr old calico was really mad, and to this day can’t stand her, but Oscar my 1 yr old black cat just loves her they chase each other and play all the time I even find them sleeping together. I guess it really depends on the personalities of the two animals. BTW: Baby couldn’t stand Oscar either…lol
They have a puppy scent on the market, you put a few drops on the newspaper until he goes regularly on it , then move it outside. worked great for my indoor pups.
Also, the sooner the better to mingle in with the other pets. Don’t ever let one flee and the other chase if you can stop that it shouldn’t be too dificult. Hold BOTH calmly as frequently as you can petting each etc. in calming manner.
The three most important things in animal training to remember is ; 1.) Be consistant!!
2.) YOU are the boss
3.)Be consistant!!!!!!
The cats will be pissed for a while the puppy will want to play with the cats the cats may hiss and scratch the puppy and eventually they will all learn to get along or ignore each other .My dog didn’t like it when my husband brought home a kitten one day. the kitty wanted to snuggle with him but he was 10 yrs old and didn’t like cats.He’d growl and turn away or get up and move but he never hurt her or any other cat. Yours will be fine just let them work it out themselves they are just like kids and have to learn to get along
We Have 3 cats Indoor Cats Luther,Lola,And Lenny. We also have 2 dogs that we raised around our cats and we regularly foster dogs and puppys.
I have found that if you have a room the cats can retreat to by isolating this room or a section of your home with a simple baby gate helps alot any cat can get over it when they feel insecure ,but dogs cant follow them.Try to gradualy bring the cat into the area where the pup is a little at a time. don’t try to rush things.
If the pup is focused on the cat too much distract it by calling it to you in a very happy voice.When it comes to you reward it with a treat and plenty of praise.The pup will realize you are more interesting than the cat.My 139lb Rottweiler “Mr.Budah” actualy will share his dogfood with Lenny the cat.He shows no sign of agression they just take turns having a bite.
If you have any problems I would suggest you contact a profesional dog trainer.
My best advice with the cats is to let the puppy and the cats work it out for themselves. Of course you will have to pay closer attention at first, but basically they will put each other in check.
pick one word to use every time you take the puppy out so he associates it with going potty. I tell mine “potty”. At first you give the comand and nothing but keep saying it and when he does finally go praise him greatly by saying things like good boy/girl for potty. The pup will get the hang of it. I would take him out a little more often than every 2 hours though. Itls kind of like potty training your child. A few minutes after he eats take him out. Kind of watch to see when he goes and learn to tell when he needs to go, like when he starts smelling alot or turning around to go poo-poo. That’s when you pick him up and put him out and say your word. Also when he has an accident in the house clean it up with a paper towel and put in the yard where you want him to go and let him smell it. If he has an accident in the house put his nose in it and tell him NO and then put him outside with the wet papertowel and praise him so he associates the praise with outside and the stern reprimand with the accident in the house.
try this… every time they eat and when they wake up take them out, also watch the there body language
get them use to each other slowly and dont leave them alone together until they are use to each other. train you puppy as you mean to go on. give short one word commands like no, sit ,stay,.
The best advice I can give is research. If you have access to the internet you can research crate training and housebreaking tips. If you realize that puppies need to go about 20-30 times a day and you can get the puppy on a routine (yes, just like babies) then it will make your life easier. A puppy will need to pee or poop FIRST thing in the morning when it wakes up (you will not have time to get a cup of coffee) take straight outside to the location you want the puppy to go, keep the puppy moving in circles (you’ll need to keep a leash on) and use a command to help move the process along (I use quick quick) keep the puppy circling and repeating the command until the puppy goes, take treats outside with you. Once the puppy has eliminated act like you just won the lottery, lots of praise, say good Quick Quick while rewarding with a treat then straight inside. Feed the puppy, 20 mins after eating it will need to go out again repeat process. I can get my dog to pee on command, it helps when I’m in a hurry. A puppy will need to pee or poop as soon as it wakes up, 20 minutes after eating, right after playing and immediately after a nap. Only take the puppy outside to do it’s business. If you take it for a walk they won’t make the association, they first have to learn that outside is where they go, if you take outside and the puppy doesnt go, only plays, take it inside immediatly and try again in 20 minutes. ALWAYS reward and praise, they will soon make the association. If you “catch” the puppy in mid-squat clap your hands and say outside, pick up immediately and take outside, as soon as the puppy goes, praise, reward and bring inside. DO NOT punish if you find an accident, you will make the puppy fearful of you and fearful of going to the bathroom, that’s when they tend to “hide” and go somewhere you don’t want, remember, dogs live in the moment they will not remember what they did 5 minutes ago or 30 seconds ago DO NOT PUNISH or rub their nose in it, they won’t understand what they are being punished for, you can only punish when they are “caught” in the act. Then you can say NO and correct by taking the puppy outside to eliminate.
It’s good that you keep the puppy confined to one room in the house, they recommend that. CONSISTENCY is key, if you are consistent with your training and very diligent then you will be able to housebreak quicker. But remember, some dogs are not fully house broken until they are over a year old.
Another trick, try hanging a small bell on the back door to the kichen, the puppy will learn to ring it to let you know when they want to go out, my puppy taught herself to do this without any training. Also look for the signs such as sniffing and walking around in circles, this is a sign they are looking to eliminate, pick up immediately and take outside, praise and reward.
PetsMart or Petco or any large pet store chain have tons of easy to read and understand training books on housebreaking, crate training, etc. The more you know the better off you’ll be.
As for your cats, it’ll take time, but it’s usually easier if the dog is a puppy, they’ll put him in his place, by clawing him he’ll soon learn to stay away from them until accepted. Be patient it won’t happen overnight, it may take from a few weeks to a few months.
Good luck to you, puppies are a lot of work, like children, but they can be worth every minute if you take the time to research, train and implement. Consitency is key!!!!!