Tips for Housetraining the Family Dog
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010Most canines are domestic pets. Dog owners keep them inside their homes for long periods of time. Assuming your own pooch stays in your home, you’ll need to house train him in order to avoid messes. Remember to reward your dog with dog treats to reinforce good behavior.
Below, we’ll provide several ideas that you can use to house train your dog. Before we begin, it’s important to establish a few ground rules. First, training takes time. The more time you spend with your dog, in the training process, the less time it will take. Second, avoid physically punishing your dog if he has an accident. Accidents will happen. Punishing him will only make him fearful of you. Third, be generous with your praise when you observe him using his designated spot.
Taking A Chance Inside
The goal of this approach is to help your puppy make the transition from eliminating inside your home to doing so outside. Find a designated area, and place newspaper on the floor. When your pup begins to show signs that he is about to urinate or defecate (e.g. he begins sniffing the ground), pick him up and place him on the paper. When he “goes” on the paper, praise him. Over the course of several days, gradually move his designated area closer to a door leading outside. Finally, get rid of the papers within your home and set him outside to eliminate.
Crating
This house training strategy is preferred by many owners. The idea behind crating is that your puppy will learn to see his crate as his personal refuge. It is where he sleeps, eats his meals, and retreats when he is tired. He will not soil his personal space.
One of the most important benefits of crating is that it trains your dog to learn to control his bladder and bowels. When he needs to urinate or defecate, he can withstand the urge to relieve himself immediately. Instead, he learns to hold it until you let him go outside.
Hands-On Management
Some owners prefer to take a hands-on approach to house training their dog. There are no papers. Nor is there a crate. The owner commits himself or herself to constantly watching their canine for signs that he needs to eliminate. When he shows signs (again, sniffing the ground is common), the owner will lead his dog outside.
This strategy will only be effective if you spend most of your time at home (for example, if you’re retired). If you are unable to continuously supervise your pooch, you can expect messes.
When Your Dog Has An Accident
If you observe your puppy having an accident inside your home, regard the event as your fault, not his. After all, had you been attentive to his sniffing the ground, you could have prevented the accident from happening.
Do not get upset. Instead, immediately (and calmly) pick him up while he is in the act. If possible, push his tail down to limit the mess. Then, carry him outside so he can finish. Stay near him so you can praise him when he finishes in his designated area.
House training your puppy takes energy, time, and patience. But, once he learns to adopt the proper behavior and use the area you have set aside for him, he’s unlikely to have another accident.
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