How to housebreak a dog
Normally housebreaking is the very first thing we train our dogs. Even adult dogs from rescue homes may need to be housebroken, not just puppies. Dogs love routine and what has always worked best for me has been to establish the habit of going outside immediately after their meal and exercising, walking at the same time every day. Start mixing it up to suit your timetable and ‘sh** happens’
If your dog is having bowel problems, especially diarrhea take that into account and take him out more often. Never punish a dog for doing their business in the house, it’s not their fault! They’ll only know better when you’ve explained.
Sometimes a dog will urinate when scared. A man couldn’t understand why his dog urinated in the house all the time, the idiot would then punish the dog! See how that cycle of behaviour worked?
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Terry | Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
I agree it’s about establishing a routine. It’s what dogs love and makes your life so much easier, so stick to it!
0800: Get up
0810: Go outside for a pee
0820: Breakfast
0830: Outside again for a crap
etc.
Oh yeah, give the dog a routine too :-D
Puppy Housebreaking | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply
Housebreaking your dog is seemingly the first test of your patience as a dog owner.
Perhaps you’re experiencing the following scenario:
You take him outside multiple times a day and every time, he refuses to make. You assume he just doesn’t have to go, so you bring him back inside and moments later he soils the rug.
Or…
You take him outside and he goes, you praise him with “Good boy” and after bringing him back in, moments later he goes again.
It’s a frustrating cycle not only for you, but for your dog as well. You just can’t seem to make him understand what he’s supposed to do.
Your dog simply doesn’t understand the rules yet. That’s why it’s important to take your dog outside to make at scheduled times of the day.
It will take approximately 14 consecutive days of going outside, watching your dog make and praising him for it before he starts to get it.
During that period, every accident that happens in the house is counted as negative two days. Remember, you’ll want 14 consecutive days of proper housebroken behavior before you can relax a bit.
After he goes outside, you’ll want to supervise him closely for the next ten minutes he is inside the house. At the first sign of going the the bathroom, take him outside.
If he does have an accident, only use the “No” command if you catch him in the act. Otherwise, it’s useless and will only confuse your dog.
The amount of time that you should take your dog outside to make will vary depending on the breed, size and type of puppy.
It’s generally recommended that you take your dog out every 2-3 hours during the day for the first three weeks. Obviously you won’t be taking your puppy out every 2-3 hours at night before bed. So use the following strategy.
Take away your dog’s water bowl two hours before bed. During that window of time, walk your dog at least twice. If accidents occur in the middle of the night, you may need to get up once in the night to walk your puppy.
As your dog gets older, his bladder size will increase and the nightly accidents will disappear.
After the first month, begin to space out the amount of time you take your dog outside to make. You’ll want to do this until your dog only needs to go out only 3-4 times a day.
In summary, the trick to all of this is using the follwing tactics.
Set a schedule to take your dog outside
Praise your dog with the “Good boy” command when he makes
In case of an accident, only use the “No” command if you catch your dog in the act
Take away your dog’s water two hours before bedtime
Walk your puppy twice before bed
Always supervise your dog when he is inside AFTER making outside
For the Step-by-Step method of housebreaking your dog within just a few weeks, you’ll want to check out:
http://www.Dog-Training-Works.com
cannedguds | Oct 15, 2008 | Reply
Another one of your great articles for dog car and training! As what I’ve said in your other blog, I have a Shiba Inu dog and I’m very fortunate to have come across that blog of yours (cleaning dog’s ears) and this is another one that we all need. Shiba Inu puppies and other dogs should need to be trained in housebreaking…Thanks for sharing this!!!!