Housetraining your Bichon Frise puppy requires patience, consistency and commitment. This is the start of your emotional bond with you and your puppy, and it is helpful to make it a positive experience for both of you. It may take a few weeks to successfully housetrain your Bichon Frise puppy. My Bichon Place blog offers additional information on the following topics: developmental stages of a puppy, dog care and training, adopting rescue dogs, socialization of a puppy, separation anxiety, puppy proofing the house, along with lots of house training and puppy care tips. Your puppy will learn to get used to a routine schedule for eating, playing, sleeping, and going outside to eliminate.
To begin the housetraining, you may want to take your Bichon Frise puppy outside at least every two hours during the day. You may take him outside after every meal or drink, or after he wakes up from a nap. It is important to remember to take your puppy out when he wakes up in the morning, after playing, and before going to bed at night.
You can choose an area outside and try to take your puppy close to that same spot each time, so he becomes very familiar with it. When you are housetraining your Bichon Frise, it is really helpful if you praise and reward your puppy when he eliminates outside. Praise him verbally, and you may also want to give your puppy his favorite treat. This is positive reinforcement for your puppy. Your Bichon Frise puppy will learn that going to the bathroom outside is what is expected of him. Also, feeding your puppy at the same times each day is helpful to keep a good routine schedule.
During the night, some puppies can sleep for several hours without having to eliminate. Your puppy may wake you up during the night. If that happens you may quietly and safely take your Bichon Frise puppy out to eliminate, and then help him get back to his bed.
During the day when you are with your puppy, you can learn to watch for signs that your Bichon puppy needs to eliminate. Some signs may be restlessness, sniffing around, barking, going to the door, or trying to squat. When you see these signs you may quickly take your Bichon Frise puppy outside to his bathroom spot. If he eliminates, you can give him lots of praise and reward him with a treat.
Helpful reminder of usual times that puppies may need to eliminate:
When they first wake up in the morning
After each meal throughout the day
After drinking a good amount of water
After they play hard
When they wake up from a nap
Right before they go to bed at night
When they awaken during the night
Hopefully, some of these housetraining tips will help you to be successful when housetraining your Bichon Frise puppy. Puppies usually get accustomed to a routine daily schedule. They like to know what is expected of them. Each dog has their own personality. Bichon Frises are usually known to be friendly, and they can be wonderful family pets!
