Categories: Dog Training

House Break Your Dog

Tips To House Break Your Dog

POTTY TRAINING BASICS

1. Confinement
2. Training
3. Timing
4. Praise

Have a designated spot for your dog to go to the bathroom. Make sure you let him know that you are supposed to go.

Photo Courtesy of doggies.com

After 10-30 minutes after he eats or sleeps, take him out to the spot and wait until he goes. When he does praise him and pet him. A small food treat can be offered, but make sure your dog isn’t making minimal eliminations just to get the treat. He might let out a thimble of pee, wait for you to give him the treat, and then when you let him in, he lets go like Niagara Falls. Make sure you are patient with the dog. After all, he’s not as smart as a human so take it easy.

Take your dog outside every 2-3 hours. After a while, he will go to the restroom outside.

If you are going to be out of the house or sleeping for longer than 2-3 hours, put your dog in a crate if he’s crate trained or an enclosed room with paper lining the floor. This will either discourage your dog from eliminating while you’re away or reduce the amount of cleanup you have to do when you get home. If you are regularly gone for long periods of time, consider hiring a dog walker to come and take your dog out while you’re away.

Be sure to pay attention to your dog usually it has a sign like pacing that will help you know when it needs to go out. See what he or she does when about to “go”. Sniffing the ground, moving in a circle, and crouching are common signs.

As soon as you see your dog do this, take him or her outside (on a leash) and bring the dog to an appropriate spot outside.When your dog does what he should, pet and praise him.

Take your dog to the same place every time. It will smell its own scent this way.

Be patient. If your dog is interested in just laying down in the yard, it may not be the best time to take him out.

How to Deal with ‘Accidents’

If you catch your dog about to have an accident, clap your hands and say “No” in a firm but calm voice.

If your dog stops what he’s doing, take him outside immediately. Praise him if he eliminates.

If your dog ignores you or if you discover an accident after the fact, stay calm. Remember that your dog is still learning and isn’t purposefully trying to make you upset.

Clean up the mess as soon as possible with an enzymatic cleaner, This will remove and trace of the smell so that you’re dog won’t think that spot is somewhere to do his business in the future. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to keep your dog from seeing you clean up the mess.

Bell Method

Buy some bells.

Hang the bells on the door you would like the dog to use.

When the dog is doing #1 or #2 in the house, scoop them up, put on a leash, and hit the bells. Then take it out to finish. Clean up the mess.

Do not take the bells when he goes pee or poo because he has to first learn where the door is and how he goes out and it is too much for a little puppy to handle if you ring the bells when he goes pee or poop.

See if the method works. If you keep doing that, the dog will eventually catch on.

Try to come up with an uncommon word that is NOT used in conversation to say repeatedly outside, which will be the command for going to the bathroom. Once your dog becomes accustomed to it, you will have to say it less and less each time, to where you say it once and it is done.

Tether Training Method

Get a 15 foot rope or leash.

Watch for body language that indicates that your dog needs to potty.

Take your dog outside and praise him if her produces the desired result.

Crate Training Method

Have a crate ready, preferably before or when you bring your dog home. The crate should be just large enough for your dog to stand and turn completely around comfortably.
Put your dog’s food and water in the crate.
Put your dog in the crate at night and when you leave the house or when you go to sleep. Your dog will start to regard the crate as a den and be reluctant to eliminate in the crate.

Take your dog outside whenever you let him out of the crate. praise good behavior.

When your dog does his or her business, give lots of praise. Treats, pats, and lots of verbal praise are good ways to let your dog know he or she has done what you want.

Continue doing this when your dog shows signs of needing to “go”. Your dog will start to learn that he or she is supposed to “go” outside.

Take your dog outside whenever you let him out of the crate. praise good behavior.

When your dog does his or her business, give lots of praise. Treats, pats, and lots of verbal praise are good ways to let your dog know he or she has done what you want.
Continue doing this when your dog shows signs of needing to “go”. Your dog will start to learn that he or she is supposed to “go” outside.

Article Courtesy of wikihow.com/House-Train-Your-Dog

The Don’ts!!

Don’t punish your dog/puppy for an accident or do anything to create a negative association with her bodily functions. Stay calm and assertive and quietly remove the dog/puppy to the place where you want him to go.

Don’t let unnecessary stress over this very natural, uncomplicated process taint any of the joy surrounding the dog/puppy training process and your new dog’s livelihood.