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Teach Me Please Dog Series Inc. - since 1992
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Puppies and Older Adopted Dogs could benefit from this article....
Effective housebreaking depends on a good diet and regular feeding schedule. In the first few months of a puppy's life, he needs several meals a day, so be prepared to have your personal life altered to meet your pup's needs. When meals are cut back to two a day, you can better arrange your time. At about a year old, your dog only needs to be fed once a day—late in the afternoon after training is the best time to feed him.
Carefully adhere to a daily schedule throughout the life of your dog. This takes into account the times of feeding, naps, exercise, and training, and of course, eliminating. It is fine to have your puppy in an outside kennel, but remember to clean daily as dogs do not like a messy kennel.
If you want to housebreak your puppy immediately, I recommend the following daily routine.
Daily Routine
· Have the puppy sleep through the night in a crate by your bed. Be sure he has been well aired before putting him in the crate. Line the floor of the crate with newspapers. Putting in rolled up towels and giving him furry toys will keep him warm and cozy. Remember, the puppy is used to being in a group of puppies, so the first night alone is a very dramatic change. If he yelps, let him hear your soothing voice, letting him know you are right by him, but do not take him out of the crate. You don’t want him to learn that by yelping a couple of times, you will take him out of the crate. Instead, if his yelping persists, tap on top of the crate as you say in a firm voice, "No, shut!” Using this technique, you will teach your dog to sleep through the entire night.
· At first light, get him outside quickly. If you allow the pup to run with you to the door, he will eliminate on the way, so better to pick him up and carry him outside. Do not leave him to eliminate on his own—you must go with him and show him the proper area to use.
· Upon performance, praise him many times, saying “Goooood dog!” and give him a bit of biscuit you keep in your pocket for this purpose.
· Exercise the pup by throwing a ball. This will help in his performance.
· You may need to keep him on a long line attached to his collar to be sure that he doesn’t run off. This provides you with better control to help him stay in the correct airing location.
· Repeat the above routine after meals, naps, mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and before bedtime.
· Whenever the pup is confined to any place in the house, this area needs to be lined with newspapers as well.
· During the day, the pup can take naps in a crate until you are sure of no accidents. This is a good way to keep the pup near you wherever you are in the house.
If he makes a mistake in the house, I suggest the following.
· Quickly (while he is in the act), pick him up as you firmly say, "No!" Put him outside, stay with him, and follow the routine.
· When you discover a mistake (eliminating without your knowledge), clean up the area and spray. You can find sprays to use where the dog will never eliminate in that area again.
· If the puppy has consistently used the floor in your house as his bathroom, you will have to pull up and replace the carpet as well as the pad. Shampooing will not effectively remove the scent from the carpeting. Even hardwood and tiled floors need to be specially treated if the dog has used these areas inappropriately.
Keep in mind, a dog's nose is thousands of times superior to that of a human. Therefore, a dog will seek out and repeat going to places that he has scented. (His nose leads him like a magnet--it simply tells him, "this is the place to go--on the carpet!" So here is a plan for the first few nights and days.
1. Line the floor of a confined area in the house and his crate as well with newspapers.
2. Take the soiled papers to the elimination area outside in order to scent that area.
3. Follow the routine described above.
Don'ts of Housebreaking
· Do not punish your puppy or newly adopted dog for eliminating in the wrong area. It’s your responsibility to keep him from having accidents.
· Do not leave your dog outside unattended until he is confident of his surroundings--you miss opportunities to praise him for a job well done.
· During the day, do not leave your dog in his crate for long periods of time. Air him at least every two hours.
· After he seems completely housebroken, don't expect your dog to follow the rules when it's raining or snowing. Even water dogs hate to get wet after a nice warm nap. Go with him outside, praise him, and have some fun with him.
Your newly adopted dog will be extremely nervous about his new environment even though he may not show it. You must pay attention to his immediate needs which are:
· Where do I eat and drink?
· Where do I eliminate?
· Where do I sleep?
· What’s my territory?
If you don’t carefully show your dog how and where to fulfill these basic needs, he will decide for himself and take over you and your home. Therefore, keep control of the dog by keeping a leash on him while he is in the house. Stay with him while outside and follow the housebreaking guide for puppies.
If the dog sleeps in the house in his confined area, you need to take him on leash to the outside eliminating area every morning. Don’t let your dog loose in the house for a few months or until good habits become well established.
Copyright 1992 - 2009
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