Housebreaking Dog Tips for Peace of Mind
Housebreaking a dog usually means getting the dog to use the bathroom in the right place and at the right time. This is certainly important. But housebreaking is a lot more than just potting training. It includes all of a dog’s behavior in the house. This includes their understanding of where they can go and when.
No one wants to find out their dog urinated on the carpet. Of course, pups can’t help it if they are indoors and need to go. They don’t have the knowledge or capacity to wait. They do what is natural. Therefore, it is important to start the training process on day one.
Ideally, you got your pup at about eight weeks old. The problem is, the dog can’t control the muscles to hold the urine until they are about twelve weeks old. This means it is important to take your dog outside or to the designated place often during the first days of ownership. This is especially important shortly after a meal. Take them out every hour at first, and when they go, give them lots of praise.
Praise Is Important:
Positive reinforcement is crucial. Your dog will understand a pat, a dog biscuit, kind and encouraging words. This assures your pet that they are pleasing you and most dogs want to do that. So, opportunities to go and much praise when they do, will reinforce their acceptable behavior.
Are there places in your house you don’t want your dog to go? For example, a black shedding dog may not be welcome on the white couch! The pup not yet potty trained may not be welcomed in the carpeted floors. How do you get your new dog to understand these rules?
Consistency Is Crucial:
This kind of training requires consistency and patience. So, if the dog goes into the forbidden area, then instruct them with words and remove them from the room or off of the furniture. Do this every time they trespass so that tthey know this is never allowed. If you make exceptions, it will only confuse them.
If you suspect your dog is trespassing when you are not watching, but not when you are, then it is obvious they like the place but know it is wrong. One family made it clear their dog was not to get on the living room furniture. But when they came home and felt the warm spot on the softest chair, the dog was caught. To correct this, try tricking the dog into thinking you are not watching when really you are. Then when you catch them disobeying the rule, discipline and scold them so that it’s clear this is never allowed, watched or not.
Dogs generally like to please their masters. Therefore, when you’ve succeeded in housebreaking your dog and they follow the rules without being told, words of praise should be poured on. Let them know they have done very well to control their urge to do what feels good but is against house rules. If you give in, or give up, then remember the dog won and has really trained you.