B. Paws-itive Pet Dog Training

 

OBEDIENCE TIPS

 

House training

 

Housebreaking a dog can be quite simple, if you understand some basic principles and follow some simple rules:

Dens & Rooms
Dogs are naturally den animals, so a dog does not want to go the bathroom where he lives. Unfortunately, most of us live in homes that are so big, that the dog does not equate our entire house with his den. Therefore, it is important to keep a dog that is not housebroken in the room you are in. If you let him leave the room, he will equate this with leaving the den, and think is acceptable to go to the bathroom. If you are in the bedroom, shut him in the bedroom with you. If you go to the kitchen, take him with you. If it is not possible to shut a door, put up a gate, or tie him in the room with you.

Activities, Not Clocks
Don't watch the clock to determine when your dog needs to go outside, it is his activity that causes him to need to go to the bathroom, not the time that has elapsed. Every time your dog changes activities, he should be taken outside. If he wakes up, take him out, stops playing, out he goes, stops eating, out again. Take him out before the accident occurs.

Watch for Signals
Do not think it is the dog's responsibility to let you know when he needs to go out, try to watch for his signals to that he needs to go outside. The signals may be subtle like walking toward the door or sniffing and walking in circles.

Accidents
If your dog goes to the bathroom in front of you, make an exclamation of disgust and take him outside. ("No" or "Bad Dog" is sufficient) It is not necessary to drag him to the mess or rub his nose in it.

Crate Training
Since a dog does not want to go to the bathroom where he lives, when you cannot be with him, he needs to be confined to an area that is small enough that he chooses not to go to the bathroom. You might try a laundry room or small bathroom, but we recommend a dog crate. A crate provides your dog with a small den of his own that he will be motivated to keep clean. Furthermore, if you leave him in crate when you are away from him, you can be sure that nothing you care about will be chewed or destroyed while you are gone.

You may be thinking that if you keep your dog in a crate while you are at work, and again while you are sleeping, he will spend two-thirds of his life in a crate. That may be the case with a new dog that is not housebroken, but this situation won't last long. Soon you will trust him and be able to allow him more freedom when you are not around.

Once he is able to keep his crate clean in your absence, try leaving him in a slightly larger area like a laundry room, porch or kitchen. If he keeps that clean, again enlarge his area. Eventually he will understand that your entire house is his den and will work to keep your home clean. being confined for a few months of training is a small price to pay for a lifetime of enjoying a trained dog!

A Few Closing Thoughts
If your dog is going to the bathroom in one location in your home, this is again a sign that he is attempting to keep your home clean, however he has established and indoor bathroom. Try feeding him in that location for a few days. This will cause him to reconsider his established bathroom. Most dogs will not go to the bathroom where they eat.

 

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