How to start:
A puppy goes to the toilet very frequently, so
begin by putting him outside in a suitable spot if you think he seems to
want to go. Keep repeating this and praise him when he finishes. If you
cant get outside, get your puppy to use a litter tray.
Regular times:
Get your dog used to a routine. Build up regular
times when you take him out- in the morning, after a meal and at night.
Going on command:
Use a command word such as
"clean" or "busy" just as he is about to go to the toilet. Always use the
same tone in your voice and praise him when he has finished. Training him
means he will go where you want him to - and not in unsuitable places.
Going at home
If you've got a garden, then why not screen off
a small area where you can train your dog to go. You can then bury the
mess in the garden or pick it up using a scoop. Your council should tell
you if they have special arrangements for disposal of poop scoops. Otherwise
use a plastic bag and dispose of it with your normal household waste.
But what when I am out
with my dog?
If your dog needs to go when
you are out, "scoop the poop". You can buy all sorts of different poop
scoops cheaply at pet shops and some super markets. Some local Councils
have their own poop scoops which are available from council offices or
from vending machines. If you don't have a poop scoop with you, you can
use a newspapaer or a plastic bag.
If you use a poop scoop, you
will not need to touch the mess directly. Many designs of poop scoop involve
a plastic bag which can be tied up before you dispose of it.
Remember to wash your hands
as soon as you can afterwards.
Health Tip!
Dog mess can contain a number of things which
make people ill- the best known of which is infection with toxocara canis,
which is a round worm. If the eggs of the worm are swallowed, this can
result in a range of symptoms from aches and pains to bronchial conditions.
In rare cases, eye sight can be damaged.
The risk to human health is
small. You can reduce it further by
* worming your dog regularly;
* always cleaning up after your dog;
* good hygiene practice.
What should I do with the poop scoop when it is used?
Many councils provide bins
where you can put your used scoops. Dog waste bins are often red.
If there are no bins around,
take the poop scoop home and dispose of it. If this is not possible, then
as a last resort wrap the used scoop again in a plastic bag and dispose
of it in a litter bin.
Health Tip!
Worms can affect a dog of any age. Caring for
your dog therefore , includes making sure your dog is wormed regularly.
Worms can cause sickness and diarrhoea in young
animals but adult dogs may show no symptoms.
Worming is easy and effective and costs very
little. You can get worming preparations from your pharmacist, vet, pet
store or larger branches of supermarkets.
Follow the makers instructions carefully. The
treatment required depends upon your dogs weight.
Adult dogs should be wormed every 6 months. Pregnant
bitches and bitches with young puppies should be wormed more frequently.
With puppies seek veterinary advice, but in general puppies should be wormed
when they are about 2 weeks old and then treated at regular intervals until
they are 6 months.
Poop scooping and the law.
Local Councils (and some other organizations like
the British Waterways Board) can make local laws, called bye laws. These
can require you to clean up after your dog in deignated area, such as parks,
streets and beaches.
Do not wait until the law
makes you clear up. It is in everyone's interest that dog mess is not left
lying where people might tread or sit in it.