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House Training A DogHousetraining dogs - Basic RulesDog house training is probably the issue that people worry about most when they adopt a new pet. They see it as a difficult and unpleasant task. The fact is it doesn't have to be overwhelming.The main thing to remember when you're potty training dogs is your attitude. If you're uptight and nervous about it, you'll pass those feelings along. Animals are really tuned into our emotions, more so than a lot of us realize. Your dog actually wants nothing more than to please you. As you're teaching your dog about housebreaking, use a happy voice. That's the one that is upbeat and makes everything sound like fun. When you're taking him out to use the "bathroom", use the command word "outside" or whatever you choose, and say it with enthusiasm. After he goes, lavish him with praise. Tell him what a good boy (or girl) he is and reward him with a treat. Most people use food, but if you'd rather not, give him his favorite toy or just give him lots of rubs and hugs. If you're housebreaking a puppy, you'll have to set a schedule that accommodates his little bladder. Here are some suggestions for when your dog is likely to have to go: Best Training MethodsIt's pretty standard to use newspapers, as mentioned above, when you're housebreaking dogs. Place them as close to the outside door as you can. One method is to hang a bell that he can reach on the door knob. Try to catch him in the act and when he's finished, pick him up and take him quickly to the door. Ring the bell, and then take him outside. When he urinates again, bring on the praise. Sooner than you think, he'll learn to associate ringing the bell with going out and start doing it himself. If he's an older animal, he's probably been trained before so he should remember about going outside quickly. If he or she is a puppy, then it will take as long as a year before it totally sinks in. That doesn't mean you'll be cleaning up messes for a whole year. It just means you'll need to do some reinforcing. If you have problems house training a dog first visit your veterinarian. If there is no medical reason for continual mistakes, ask for a referral to a good trainer. Sometimes they need a little more help than you might know how to give. Housebreaking and Crate TrainingWhether or not to crate train a dog is controversial. Some people think it's cruel and others think it's the best thing you can do for your pup. Everyone is on the same page when it comes to housebreaking a dog; you've got to do it. In any event, the basic principles are the same. You have to be: Crate Training The number one thing about a crate is that you don't want your dog to be afraid or see it as a place of punishment. If you get off on the wrong foot, he'll never be comfortable. Your ultimate goal is to have him see it as a place of security. It's also a really safe way to transport your dog in the car. All too often, if you have the misfortune to crash, pets run loose never to be seen again. You can easily avoid this tragedy by using the crate or pet seatbelt. Start the training by leaving the door open and letting your dog go in and out at will. Put some toys in there so it's a fun place. After a couple of days, start putting his food just inside. When he's used to the crate, you can close him in there a few minutes at a time everyday. Gradually increase the time until he's comfortable. Just make sure he spends time each day. Soon he'll go in there on his own, and you can leave the door open. Puppy Potty Training - using PapersWhen it's time for puppy potty training, if at all possible keep him in a non-carpeted area near the outside door you'll be using. He can be with you in other parts of the house when you're able to watch him closely. The idea is to teach him to use the papers and transition to outside. If he makes a mistake somewhere else, don't make a big deal out of it. Quickly pick him up and take him out "his" door and set him on the grass. Clean the area he used inside as thoroughly as possible so he won't try to make that his bathroom. Take him out each time he uses the papers, after meals, first thing in the morning, and last thing at night. Depending on how long he can hold it, take him outside at intervals during the day. Use your chosen command each time you open the door. Give him a reward like a treat or favorite toy when he does it right, and tell him very enthusiastically what a good dog he or she is. Housebreaking dogs doesn't have to be a terrible ordeal. Submissive or Excitement UrinationJust like humans, dogs have personalities. It's partly genetic and partly environmental. As a dog lover, it's your job to treat him with respect and at the same time make sure he knows you're the leader of the pack. If you don't train him well and show your love as well, problems may arise. Submissive Urination Occasionally a dog will urinate inappropriately for no apparent reason. Often it's because he's trying to show you he's being submissive to you. If you punish him for it, you'll only cause him to think he's not making you happy. He'll become even more nervous, and the behavior will escalate. If you've adopted a dog that does this, it most likely means he's been the victim of abuse. This is not a dog housebreaking problem, but obviously it calls for some action. There are a number of steps you can take. Some of them include: Housebreaking Older DogsIf you've decided to adopt an adult dog or rescue one from a shelter; good for you! There are too many people who treat pets as disposable. Millions of times each year this sad fact leads to euthanasia. Pretend She's a Puppy Since your adult or nearly adult new dog doesn't know you or her new home, she's liable to be frightened and insecure. Once she figures out that you've brought her home to love, she'll be your best friend for life. Until she realizes that, however, go through the regular dog housebreaking routine. Start as soon as you get home, before you go inside. Take her to her new bathroom area and let her check it out. Dogs of course have to sniff every inch, so allow her some extra time on the first day. Older dogs have bigger bladders and can hold their bowels longer. That means the outside sessions can be further apart. Always take her out first thing in the morning, after meals, after indoor exercise, and right before bed time. While she's still new and nervous, you may want to increase the frequency. If she does make a mistake in the house, don't make a big fuss. When you house train a dog you need to use a command word at each session. A simple such word such as "outside" works best. If you catch her in the act, calmly say the command word and take her out. If you don't see her do it, ignore it and move on. Standard dog housebreaking techniques always include praise and a reward when they do it right. It's great to give food rewards to young puppies. Since you don't want an overweight adult dog, figure out what your new dog's favorite toy is and present her with that when she goes outside. Be sure and give her lots of praise at the same time. Punishing a dog of any age for eliminating in the house will only make her frightened of you. That's the last thing you want. Your ultimate goal is to create a bond of mutual love and respect between you and your dog. Advertisement 
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