Dog Owner Information
Housetraining Tips
A dog or puppy is either housetrained or not. If your dog is sneaking
off to another room and having an accident, you will have to take some
of his freedom away until you can solve the problem. The longer you
allow this type of behavior to exist, the harder it will be to modify.
Unless you can catch him, it really does not do any good to drag him off
to the site of his mishap and try and punish him. Keep him in sight if
he is bold enough to try something in front of you, say "No," get his
attention and take him outdoors quickly so he can finish eliminating in
the appropriate area. Remember, it is your house. He has to earn his
freedom through good behavior and this is your responsibility.
If your dog will be trained to eliminate only outdoors, start by
establishing an elimination spot. In the morning, clip his leash to his
collar and take the dog outdoors to his spot for elimination. State
commands like "go potty" or "hurry up." After he does his duty, bring
the dog inside for food and water. About 15 to 20 minutes after the
meal, take the dog outside again for elimination. Take your dog to his
"spot" at each elimination time. Maintain a regular feeding, drinking,
and elimination schedule.
One of the most commonly made errors in housetraining is rushing too
quickly ahead of your dog. Too much freedom too quickly can cause some
confusion. If your dog experiences an accident or two, you will have to
back up and slow down. Marking should not be confused with housetraining
problems because marking is deliberate. This behavior will arise in dogs
who may be trying to vie for the role of the leader in the household;
marking is a way of claiming territory. It is advised that if you should
notice this behavior indoors or out, you strengthen all obedience
commands immediately. This will remove all doubts as to who is in charge
around the house.
Providing your dog or puppy with a crate that is way too large may allow
him to relieve himself in one end and sleep in the other. Placing food
or water in his crate will allow him to fill up his bladder and bowel
and he will have no choice but to relieve himself in his crate. Make
sure you take your dog or puppy outdoors to eliminate on a regular
schedule and especially prior to being left for prolonged periods of
time.
If you have tried all the above and are still experiencing what you
believe to be "Territorial Marking," consult your veterinarian. Your
dog/puppy may have a bladder infection and it's always best to be safe,
not sorry. If your dog/puppy is not spayed or neutered you may want to
talk to your veterinarian about this procedure. It usually has a very
positive effect on this type of behavior problem.
Even well-trained dogs sometimes have accidents. Clean the accident area
with a pet odor neutralizer so your dog won't be tempted to repeat his
mistake. Here are some tips to help prevent accidents:
-Do not make sudden changes in his diet.
-Avoid giving your dog late night snacks.
-Make sure to spend enough time outdoors.
