Ideas On Housebreaking A Puppy
Many people are not prepared or simply underestimate how tough housebreaking a puppy can be. Unfortunately, many people make this process harder than it has to be. As soon as you bring this new member of your family home, you will need to begin this process. With a clear understanding of the situation and a bit of preparation, you can get the issue under control as quickly as possible.
There are many different opinions on the best way to train your dog. The main reason for this is that different species of dogs have differing attitudes. Some dogs are simply stubborn and will require extra patience, while other species may pick up the process quite easily. If you haven’t chosen a puppy yet, this might be worth taking into consideration.
Puppies, especially before 12 weeks of age, have a very hard time controlling their bowels and bladder. In time they will develop more control, but accidents are a certainty in the beginning. You need to approach this process with the proper mindset of understanding and patience. You will also need to exhibit consistency with your demeanor and techniques. Also understand that genetics, attitude, and temperament will play a big part in the issue. Some dogs simply pick up the habit better than others, which is something to consider when selecting a dog.
An important early step in this process is setting a schedule and sticking too it. When you wake in the morning, immediately take the puppy outside to use the bathroom. Puppies generally wake up with a need to urinate, so take advantage of this by anticipating this need to go and equating it with going outside. Also set an eating schedule and take your puppy outside immediately after he or she eats. This is another typical time when a dog will need to use the bathroom. Anticipation and preparation is ideal, so keep these important moments in mind.
Be mindful of your puppy’s activity, namely sniffing, circling the floor, hovering in corners and general pacing. These are clear signs that the dog may need to go, so immediately take it outside. When you catch the puppy making a mistake, give it a stern “no” and quickly take it outside. Never hit your dog or resort to other cruel, ineffective techniques. Also, never punish a dog unless you have specifically caught it using the bathroom inside. If you find the mistake after the fact, there is no reason to punish the dog, as it will not understand exactly what the punishment is for, further confusing the pooch.
Two key items you may need are puppy pads and kennels. Kennels are ideal for times when you must leave the house. Dogs will not want to relieve themselves in such a confined space, encouraging them to wait until you get home to go to the bathroom. However, the puppy may have no choice but to use the bathroom if you are gone for too long. Puppy pads are great for avoiding messes. They are also good for teaching the dog to go to the door when it needs to relieve itself. Try slowly moving the pads toward the appropriate door over time. The dog will learn to go to the door when it needs to go outside.
Although housebreaking a puppy is difficult, it is far from impossible. Utilize these tips to make your job much easier. Quickly get the dog on an ideal schedule that will work for everyone involved. Also make use of great products like puppy pads and kennels to make the process easier. If you approach the issue with patience, understanding, and love, your dog will be trained before you know it.
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Tags: dog training
dog training | Gio Rigt | 03 September 2010 |
