Paper training is basically how to train a puppy which will be indoors to eliminate only on newspaper. The newspaper is in a place which you select, it is absorbent, cheap and easily obtainable and is able to be collected and disposed of once used.
Of the various puppy training techniques this is the best choice for people who are in an apartment and have no yard or for people who cannot get outside such as the ailing or elderly. Big dogs can make too much waste to handle so this technique is best suited for smaller to medium dogs.
As a general rule it is best to start toilet training at 7 or 8 weeks because puppies under 7 weeks have not developed sufficient discipline for the training to be successful. Commence as soon as you get the puppy back home and institute a regular food timetable for example 8am, 1pm and 7pm. Generally dogs will take about 8 to 12 weeks but if yours is taking longer just be persistent - they will learn!
Here's how to train a puppy using the Paper Training method.
Select an area or room of your home you would like to establish as the puppies elimination area. A corner of the kitchen or laundry is usually a good site as these rooms generally have linoleum flooring that is easily cleaned. Carpeted areas are a bad idea!
Spread the newspaper in a thick layer over the whole surface in the chosen spot. Cover the whole floor if it's a room with little thoroughfare. If you have chosen an area of a room make the spread of newspaper pretty big. To keep them on the paper you will have to limit the movement of your puppy solely to the newspapered region which you can do by putting up barriers.
You want your puppy to eliminate only on the newspaper and acquire a powerful connection between elimination and the newspaper. Initially they will go pretty much anyplace on the papered region and will start to acquire that connection. To do that it is vital for the first 2 or 3 weeks that them solely goes on the newspaper and it is a good idea to confine the puppy to the papered area except when puppy's sleeping, eating, being played with or being actively supervised. Actively supervised means 100% attention so that no mishaps with off paper elimination occur!
All puppy training techniques are identical in this single regard. Each time puppy eliminates somewhere you would like them to, give a treat and heaps of praise to strengthen the training. Experts know how to train a puppy more efficiently with positive reinforcement and it can make any training faster. Basically the rule is reward the proper behavior and ignore the wrong behavior.
After two weeks you can test the development of the association by shrinking the papered area of the floor while still keeping your puppy confined as above. The puppy will start using the paper of it's own accord if it has had sufficient time to get used to eliminating on the paper. If puppy eliminates off paper simply enlarge the paper area and give them more time to acquire the association.
You can continue to reduce the size of the newspapered area and allow more access to your home when puppy is consistently eliminating on the paper. Just remember persistence is the key!
Author Resource:
Thomas Parker has created a number of sites to help new puppy owners with any issues. For a host of information and resources see http://www.howtotrainapuppysite.com/