Housebreaking your puppy

Housebreaking your puppy

 

The first and most important training your puppy will need is housebreaking.  Consistently taking him out and waiting is crucial for this to work.  If you do not follow through in this, you will be cleaning up a lot of messes and end up disappointed in your dog.  Keep in mind any dog can be potty trained so it your fault if he fails.

 

Here are the steps to housebreaking your dog:

 

1.  8-10 weeks is the best time to start potty training a puppy.

 

2.  Many people use the kennel or crate training method for puppies.  This is probably not the best option for mature dogs.  Kennel training is highly effective and if right will get you and your dog the results you are looking for.  At 8-10 weeks your dog can only be in the kennel for 2-3 hours at a time due to his small bladder and need for attention.

 

For more information on kennel training please see this Kennel Training Article

 

3.  A dog will not naturally eliminate in the area where he sleeps, which is why this method is so effective.  Just remember 2-3 hours as a youngster, then immediately let them out of the kennel and lead them to the spot you would like him to relieve himself.  If it is a positive run, reward him.  Repetition again!

 

4.  If you use the same routine and same door, he will be accustomed to it and will eventually scratch or bark when he needs to go out.  There are also dog bells that he can ring when he wants to be let out.

 

5.  If you try to get on a schedule early on your dog will soon understand that he needs to hold it till you take him out, then he gets praise and maybe a treat.  I always started my dogs on 2 hours during the day, 3 hours in the night time hours.

 

6.  While your dog is in the house watch for signs he may need to relive himself, such as sniffing or walking in circles. If these signs are noticed, get him to his spot immediately.  In the event you catch him in the act, tell him no in a bold voice and take him to his spot.  Do Not put his nose in it or spank him.  Also if you don’t catch him doing the crime, do nothing.  Clean it up and continue with your plan, If you punish him for something you didn’t catch him doing he will not understand why you are mad.

 

7.  Choose a command word when he is in his spot and ready to relieve himself.  For my dog I used “go potty” and said that a few time each visit to her bathroom spot.  The idea is that though repetition hearing those key words they again will know what you are looking for and do their business.

 

8.  Dogs have accidents, just like children.  If you maintain a good schedule you dog will learn quickly.  In the event he is not learning, roll up a newspaper tightly make a firm tube with it.  Next beat yourself over the head, and then start your plan over.  It is up to you to teach your dog so you probably failed or didn’t follow through.

 

9. You need to follow the schedule your dog need to be successful in the first month or 2, as he learns bladder control and you training plan you can make his schedule fit your schedule.  As they age they can hold it much longer.  Housebreaking a puppy is a little work upfront, but will pay off for the life of your dog.

 

Our Dog training forum is here: crate training forum

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