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Housetraining your dog can be a simple and rewarding for both you and your new canine friend! All you need is a crate and a simple system.
First choose a crate. You can use either a wire cage or a plastic carrier. Both are available at your local pet supply store or discount store. It is best to provide your dog with a cage that is large enough for him to stand up in and turn around at HIS FULL GROWN SIZE. When the puppy is smaller, you can block off part of the cage so that its NOT big enough for him to sleep on one end and soil the other. Dogs have a natural instinct not to soil the area where they sleep, and they will try to hold it as long as they can. (But if his crate is too big, it will defeat your goal!) Dont think that its cruel or inhumane to keep your dog in a crate. Dogs are den animals. They are very comfortable, and in fact feel safe, being in an enclosed area with only one entrance/exit. (ever notice how he always gets under something or in a corner to take a nap?)
Dogs sleep 18 hours per day (on average) so he might as well sleep in his crate when you are away or at work. Eight hours in a crate is OK, but any longer may be too long a period of confinement. The exception to this is young puppies that are less than 16 weeks old. Their little baby bladders are too small to hold it for that long. Puppies need to go out for a potty break at least every four hours, so make arrangements for someone to be home to take him outside. ALWAYS take Fido outside to do his business whenever you let him out of his cage! Chances are, hes got to GO!
Your dog will have accidents in the house as hes learning. Never scold, yell, spank or otherwise punish your dog for one of these mistakes unless you catch him actually in the act. He wont understand. All youll accomplish is making him afraid of you, and that could make him have more accidents! If you do catch him in the act, give him a firm no, and hurry him out to his potty spot in the yard.
Before the puppy gets freedom inside, he must first potty outside! If after his walk, he still hasnt pottied, put Fido in his crate for 15 minutes. Take him outside again, and if he goes potty, then he gets inside freedom. If he doesnt go potty, then he goes back in his crate for another 15 minutes. Repeat until he goes finally goes potty outside. It wont take long for him to get the hint! Remember, this isnt punishment; this is to make sure he only does the right thing. With freedom before he goes potty, hes liable to do the wrong thing and potty inside. By making him go potty first, youre ensuring that he does the right thing!
The KEY TO SUCCESS in housebreaking your dog is to put him on a schedule for both eating and going outside to do his business. It wont take long for your smart new friend to figure out when and WHERE he is expected to potty!!
Always feed your dog at the SAME TIME of day. For example, at your breakfast and your dinner time.
Trust your common sense. Puppies and small breeds have small bladders and will have to potty more often than large dogs, so take them out more often. Always take your dog out first thing after he wakes up. This means waking up from a whole night or from a nap. (Dogs need to go at the same times people do!) Some little puppies or very old dogs may even have to go out once in the middle of the night, just like people too. For small puppies, you may need to carry them outside after letting them out of their crate to prevent them going between their crate and the door. Take him out after he eats a meal. It doesnt take long for food to make it through and eating will trigger his need to go potty. Always give him one last chance to empty his bladder before going to bed. Most importantly, when in doubt, take him out!! Maximize his chances to succeed, and minimize his chances to fail.
From the moment you get home, always take your new friend to the SAME PLACE outside to do his business. The first place you go when you get home shouldnt be the living room, but his potty place! Soon your smart pooch will learn that when you take him there, you mean business! He will also start to pick up the scents of that spot which will give him the urge to go. Use this to your advantage and choose an area in your yard that is out of the way and easy to pooper scoop.
Accidents are going to happen. If Fido has an accident, DONT SCOLD HIM! Calmly take him out to his potty place in the yard, and tell him THIS is where you go potty! Your super smart friend will quickly learn! Make sure to clean up the mess in the house with an enzyme cleaner especially made for pet stains. This will get rid of scents that your pet can smell that you cant. As long as the scent is there, your pet will think its ok to go there, and thats exactly what you DONT want!
Your dog desperately wants to please you! Lavish him with praise and even an occasional treat for every improvement. Every time he potties in the yard, tell him that hes a GOOD BOY! Tell him hes the greatest dog in the whole wide world! Let him know how pleased you are!
Remember while training your wonderful new canine friend to be loving, kind, and most importantly forgiving. Imagine yourself in his paws, and learning something new! In return for your understanding, your pooch will bring you more love and joy than you can ever imagine!
If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (770) 383-3338. Were more than happy to help you and your dog!
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