LA  BASTIDE  CAVALIERS

Rule #1: Do not stress about it   🐾

The first 3 days of your puppy arriving at your home are crucial, so make sure that you are ready and have a game plan based on the layout of your home: do you have a yard, do you have a balcony, do you have a doggy door, should you get a doggy bell, do you have enough wash pads for the puppy's pen that you will use when leaving your puppy home alone, what are your sleeping plan arrangements...

Not my technique: Some people use a crate for potty training, I don't, I never have, I don't care if a lot of people think I'm wrong... but just remember why you decided to get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they are probably the dogs the most into their humans; and the same way that I couldn't let my infant human son cry 22 years ago, I still can't let one of my baby cavalier in a cage crying, or whimpering... It's not me. So I won't discuss crating, and please don't tell me if you choose that option, as I will literally be sick to my stomach having delivered your baby. On the other hand, I see no problem for them to have a doggy cave, a little house, an airport travelling bag open at all time that they can crawl into and feel secure when they want to (I even suggest to people who have a bed too high to put one open in their room so the puppy is in your room and feeling safe, you could also use that little cocoon in the puppy pen where they can go in and out at will by always keeping door open).

Treats: Do not stress, as it's easy, and the hardest part will be to keep your pockets filled with yummy treats, as praise and reward go a long way. So, I will give you some treats that are great for that training stage, as soft for a young puppy and small; it's actually an organic O's cereal (it's fine at that young age, but I would advise not to use that past 1 year old as it's still a carbohydrate and there is some sugar involved):  https://amzn.to/4wYel2M

Magic Word: Come up with a word or a phrase like "TIME TO GO POTTY!" Why? Because they are smart as can be and will rapidly oblige to that command that you choose. It is very important, as you probably will take your cavalier to various places in the future, and you want them to go potty before entering any building.

Pine pellets: I will give you a small bag of pine pellets for you to sprinkle in your yard or in the area where you want your puppy to go potty. Your puppy will recognize that scent from when they lived in my home, and it will be helpful in the potty training journey.

Go potty as often as you can: Your puppy has a small bladder and needs to go often; so for the first 3 days, take your puppy to where you want them to potty as often as you can humanly do it, the minute your puppy stops an activity, is done eating, awakens, is looking for something and turning in circles... It's better to waste some time with your puppy outside, which is fun anyway, than to have accidents in the house; you do not want your puppy to think that it is ok to potty indoors, unless it's on a washable mat or on a specific area that you approve.

Outside: Be prepared with the sprinkled PINE PELLETS,  the MAGIC WORD, and the ready TREAT in your pocket... wait, be patient... the minute your puppy goes potty: BIG PRAISE & REWARD. Make a big show of it and tell your puppy how proud you are.

Be consistent, be patient, and do it often. After 3 days, your puppy is going to want you to take them potty to get a treat.

Little note about siblings: if your puppy has doggy siblings, everyone should get a treat; I always give older siblings a treat before my puppy, so there is no jealousy. While you are praising your happy puppy, sneak a treat to the older siblings, and then you give the puppy the treat. Your puppy won't know the difference between getting praise and treats, and the siblings will be overjoyed as they realize that thanks to their youngest sibling they are suddenly getting lots of treats!

Little note about your human children: they will need to be part of the potty training and training adventure, so give them some treats to carry in their pockets at all times, and explain to them your plan. Just remember to tell them to tell you if they give a lot of treats (which is fine), so that you know to give a little less food at mealtimes to avoid having a sick puppy.

Accidents: there will be accidents... don't stress about it and be prepared. I like this product called Ped Peed

https://www.mypetpeed.com/products/two-pack-32oz-spray-bottles/

Washable mats: I will give you 2 mats (one new/ one used in case your puppy doesn't recognize the smell because of your laundry detergent). My advice would be to put one in your living room and one in your bedroom, if you are not using pine pellets and a tray. I use those mats in my house until the puppy is about 7 to 9 months as emergency potty mats (for me, it's very important, as my young dogs are scared to go outside at night, especially in the middle of a snow blizzard, and if I haven't been vigilant enough, they have a place to potty as their bladders are still not fully grown). And that way you don't stress, and your puppy doesn't stress, as there is always a place to go in case of emergency. Those mats are great to use in the puppy pen for when you leave your puppy at home alone.

Here is a link if you want to get more puppy mats: https://amzn.to/4w3M2iQ

At night: keep those treats nearby, as your puppy has a small bladder and will probably need to go once at night during the first week and then very early in the morning... that will pass rapidly as they get bigger. Depending on your sleeping arrangement, you could have your puppy sleep on your bed, buy a little staircase, and put a washable mat or a pine pellet tray in your bedroom.

Plan ahead, so you and your puppy aren't frustrated and have a logical way to handle the nights, especially in the first few weeks. I find that most young puppies will rapidly sleep through the night if they are on my bed next to me and only move when I move. I never had a puppy fall off my bed or have an accident on my bed, but my bed is very low to the ground, my bedroom is carpeted, and I sleep very late, so by that time the puppy crashes with me LOL

However, in the morning when we wake up, until the puppy can handle waiting, I usually carry them outside right away... don't forget the MAGIC WORD, BIG PRAISES & A YUMMY MORNING TREAT! 🐶