There is nothing a little boy wants to do more than emulate his dad's actions!"Other ways to increase a father's involvement include teaching potty training through the use of a potty training doll. One of the biggest potty training trends for 2004 was the result of a Primetime Special broadcast September 22nd. In this show, which was watched by millions of viewers across the country, Dr. Phil suggested that one of the most effective potty training methods was to utilize a potty training doll. By having children teach a doll how to potty train children will subsequently learn how to use the potty.

Avid states that "this is something most fathers would be very comfortable doing with their kids and would be another great way to increase involvement."In conclusion, the survey shows a trend towards teaching kids to potty train at a bit later date than first expected, 24-26 months versus an expected start date of 21-24 months. Avid states "We are also seeing a lot more products and tools on the market to make potty training more fun. As the world's largest online potty training store we are selling more and more of the fun stuff, along with the traditional potty seats and chairs. The new fun stuff includes DVDs, potty dolls, toilet targets, and even more elaborate potty charts and rewards for success. I think American parents in 2005 will continue the trend of buying more products for potty training that really involve the kids and encourage reward rather than punishment ? this seems to be a trend in other aspects of parenting as well ? and it is no surprise that it has carried over into how we potty train our children."Asked if there is one trend he would like to see change in 2005 Avid said "We need to get fathers more involved.

A 4% participation rate is really low; I don't just see the lack of fatherly participation in the survey results but also in our day-to-day business. Nine times out of ten when one of our customer service representatives picks up the phone to help a parent it is a frustrated mom at the other end of the line." We asked Avid if there were any potty training products that would make great Christmas presents. We expected him to suggest something fun for the kids but instead his answer probably rings true for most moms "Help your partner potty train the kids. Getting rid of diapers is probably the best present any mother can receive."Members of the media seeking additional information on the 2004 survey can contact Avid Amiri at 801-484-3126 or by email at e-mail protected from spam botsThe general public can reach Potty Training Solutions online at www.pottytrainingsolutions.com or by phone, M-F 9am-5pm (MT) at 866-34-POTTY. Potty Training Solutions corporate office and retail potty training store are located at: 2682 South Highland DriveSalt Lake CityUT, 84106.

Your child may be living in two different homes or under two separate sets of rules. When things calm down, share your potty training plan so that you are both aware of the other person's plan and can work together for the benefit of your child.New daycare/baby sitter - If your child has recently switched day cares or baby-sitters, wait a couple of weeks/months (depending on how your child adapts) before you start potty training.New bedroom or bed - Small changes, like a new bedroom or bed, can have a big impact on your child. Wait until your child has adapted to his new bed before you begin potty training.Copyright ? 2004 ZIP Baby. All Rights Reserved. Danna HendersonZIP Baby101 Convention Center Drive, Ste 700Las Vegas, NV 89109http://www.zipbaby.com.

Be sure and browse through our selection of 2004 potty training books and DVDs, which provide a great introduction for both parents and children.The important thing is to begin potty training with the right training products and information, to ensure your child has a positive experience from beginning to end. Don't wait until you and your child are frustrated to buy a fun musical potty chair or read a bedtime potty training book.After you have purchased the potty training products, begin introducing the idea of potty training by reading a book or watching a DVD. Place you child's new potty chair in the bathroom and let him observe you going potty. Children learn by imitating other family members. This is a good time to teach him good hygiene by washing your hands after using the potty.

Be sure your child knows that he can come to you if he feels uncomfortable or afraid. He needs to know that you will always love him, even if he has accidents. For tips on handling accidents, read our article, Handling Accidents with Composure.Copyright ? 2004 ZIP Baby. All Rights Reserved. Danna HendersonZIP Baby101 Convention Center Drive, Ste 700Las Vegas, NV 89109http://www.zipbaby.com.

He could go anytime and anywhere, knowing that someone would always be there to change his diaper. The idea of having to go to a specific location means he will have to stop what he's doing to use the potty. To top it all off, he looses the warmth of his diaper and must now go potty naked where other people might be watching! Common potty training concerns and solutions:Fear of Making a Mistake ? Your child is just beginning to control his bodily functions. He won't be perfect at it, and might worry that he will be punished for accidents. Throughout the potty training process, assure your child that you are there for him and he can come to you if he's afraid or worried about something.

When accidents happen, don't make a big deal out of them. Simply clean up and tell him that you know he is trying. Potty training is often a good time to build a trust between you and your child that will last throughout your lives. Fear of Automatically Flushing Public Toilets ? More and more public restrooms switch to automatically flushing toilets. Children who are at the later stages of potty training (transitioned from the potty chair to the toilet) are often fearful of the public toilet flushing while they are seated.

These fears can be alleviated with a simple, inexpensive device called the Flush Stopper. Fear of Falling In ? The fear of falling in the toilet is common when your child has mastered the small potty-chair and transitions to the toilet. You can help alleviate this fear by purchasing a potty seat that either fits on the toilet or attaches to the toilet such as the Flip-N-Flush or PRIMO's Ducka. The potty seats will decrease the size of the toilet hole and help your child feel more secure. The Flip-N-Flush is especially useful because it flips down for your child's use and flips up so that other family members can easily access the regular toilet seat.Your child's fears need to be addressed as real and serious fears.

If your child knows that you understand and are trying to help, he will feel more relaxed and comfortable while potty training.Copyright ? 2004 ZIP Baby. All Rights Reserved. Danna HendersonZIP Baby101 Convention Center Drive, Ste 700Las Vegas, NV 89109http://www.zipbaby.com.

Puppies feel uncomfortable in a crate that's so big they rattle around in it. If your puppy is a breed that will grow large, it's okay to buy a bigger crate for him to grow into, but make sure it has an adjustable partition in the back. This lets you keep his living space comfortable and cozy, but you can still expand it by moving the partition back as your puppy grows to full size. When you are ready to begin puppy crate training, place your new puppy gently in his crate. Make sure you've also put a towel or small blanket and a treat or toy in the crate.

If you're using a wire crate for puppy crate training, always remove the puppy's collar first so it won't get snagged on the wire.You may hear some whining or even crying at this point. You need to ignore it. Sometimes it helps to cover the crate with a blanket so his home feels a little cozier. Remember, dogs are not claustrophobic. They like an enclosed space.

It's their den. After your puppy has remained in the crate for about twenty minutes, remove him from the crate and take him outside. As soon as he goes potty, praise him, pet him and make him feel loved and close. The next step in the puppy crate training process is to bring your puppy back inside and play together for twenty to thirty minutes. Then it's time to put your puppy back in the crate.

You'll be able to gradually increase the crate time to two hours.Puppies will not usually go potty in their crates. If your puppy has an accident, never scold. They really don't understand the idea that going potty is bad, so scolding doesn't help. It only confuses them.For best results with puppy crate training, you'll need to have a schedule. And when you take your puppy outside, always make sure you take him to the same spot each time.

Especially at first, every time you remove him from his crate, you'll want to take him outside. This builds a clear association in his mind. As your puppy begins to get the hang of puppy crate training you'll be able to leave him in the crate for longer periods. Eventually he'll feel so at home in the crate that you'll be able to leave the crate door open overnight and for short periods during the day.Successful puppy crate training has two simple requirements: patience and a regular schedule. With those two things, your new puppy will soon be a happy, well-adjusted member of the family..

After watching a potty training video or reading a potty training story, your child will have a pretty good idea what the potty is for.Potty Training Doll - Dr. Phil recommends purchase an anatomically correct drink & wet doll for potty training. His method involves having your child teach the doll to use the potty, thereby learning himself!Training Pants - Potty training pants facilitate potty training by enabling your child to feel that he is wet. Diapers draw the moisture away from your child's skin so he can't always tell that he has just peed. Training pants allow your child to feel the wetness while protecting everything else from leaks.Potty Training Incentives - Rewards and incentives such as stickers, snacks, and certificates can be great potty training tools.

They work especially well for children who understand the basics but need an incentive to stop what they are doing and sit on the potty.Copyright ? 2004 ZIP Baby. All Rights Reserved. Danna HendersonZIP Baby101 Convention Center Drive, Ste 700Las Vegas, NV 89109http://www.zipbaby.com.

Make sure you are both informed and decide how you're going to handle potty training instruction, rewards, and accidents. In some cases, the divorced or separated parents don't have a good relationship and this level of communication is not possible. If this is your situation, it may be easiest to pack your child's potty seat along with a note describing your potty training strategy (and any other necessary information) and send it with your child.Copyright ? 2004 ZIP Baby. All Rights Reserved. Danna HendersonZIP Baby101 Convention Center Drive, Ste 700Las Vegas, NV 89109http://www.zipbaby.com.

• Punishing your child for accidents
• Making your child wear soiled diapers or underwear
• Making your child sit on the potty for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time
• Making your child "hold it" if he or she needs to go
• Making your child sit on the potty when he or she is crying

Danna HendersonZIP Baby101 Convention Center Drive, Ste 700Las Vegas, NV 89109http://www.zipbaby.com.

Before you visit http://www.pottytrainingsolutions.com read this excerpt and learn a few of the first steps towards potty training.*Once you're ready to start to potty train, take your child into the bathroom with you, and talk about what you're doing.*If possible, have your child go to the bathroom with the same-gender parent, so he or she can see and learn the proper mechanics of toileting.*Use consistent words associated with potty training. Whether you say "poop" and "pee" or "urinate" and "defecate," choose words that are not offensive or embarrassing or that describe toileting functions in a negative way.After your child understands what to do on the toilet, these steps to potty train can be encouraging.*Provide your child with a potty chair that is low to the ground so that the feet touch the floor. Place your child on the potty seat at the same time each day so this becomes a regular part of his daily routine. Ask your child regularly to go to the bathroom, and encourage them to tell you when they need to go. When your child does go in the potty, be sure to reward them, should your child fail to go in the potty, don't scold or punish them.

*Once your child has been successful at toileting a few times, consider dressing them in cotton underwear so that they become aware of being wet or dry. Continue toilet training even if you go on outings. When your child has learned to use the toilet consistently during the day, you may be able to take off the diapers at night. Your child may be ready to begin when the diaper stays dry more and more often overnight. Your child will begin to notice the potty and want to sit on the toilet.

If you would like to learn more about what products you will need to start potty training take a look at http://pottytrainingsolutions.com/potty_chair.htm or http://pottytrainingsolutions.com/potty_seat.htm.