TRAINING ARTICLES

So you just adopted a puppy or got a dog that is not house trained, and you’re dealing with unpleasant accidents in the house. Do not despair! Potty training is a relatively simple process. Your dog doesn’t know that there is a proper place to relieve himself, but he will happily and willingly go to that place with some positivity and consistency on your part. Read on.

Golden Rules to Remember

Be consistent. Dogs thrive when they don’t have to guess what you expect of them. So do everything on schedule: feeding, walking, going out to potty, and playing --at the same time every day.
Be patient. Your dog isn’t born knowing what you expect of him. It’s comparable to teaching a baby, although a puppy learns much faster.
Be positive. Never punish him, in any way, when he doesn’t catch on quickly (or after a long period of time). Dogs don’t feel guilt; only fear and confusion. Yelling or hitting a dog who urinates in the corner of the living room won’t break him of the habit. It will only cause fear, and lead him to sneak off somewhere when he next has to go. Instead, give positive reinforcement and reward him when he gets it right.

Choosing and Using a Spot

Choose an area, if possible, out of doors; if not possible, on a pad, and take your dog to this spot. Remove any solid waste. Dogs like to return to the place they have marked.

Associate a marker word or phrase with relieving himself. Say it when you think he should go out, when you are taking him out, when you arrive at the chosen spot, and when he goes, so he associates the word or phrase with elimination.

Plan on spending time every day for a week or two during the training. At the beginning, you may have to get up during the night to take him outside. If you have to suspend training because you have to go out of town, consider having someone live in and continue the training.

When There Are Accidents

If, before she is trained, she goes on the floor or rug, clean up the spot with a deodorizer so she won’t be tempted to go there again. If she has frequent accidents, consider a trip to a veterinarian. A urinary infection or other medical problem may be causing such behavior.

Using a crate for potty training

A popular way to teach a dog to relieve herself in a designated area is with a crate. Teaching a dog to go into a crate when she wants to lie down or sleep is not cruel. If taught correctly, it will provide him with a place to which he can go and feel safe. He will have a place to call his own. Dogs don’t like to lie where they urinate of defecate, so if the crate is only big enough for her to stand up, turn around, and lie down, she won’t relieve herself in her crate. Teaching them to like her crate is easy using treats. The crate should be as near to the exterior door as possible.

If you choose not to use a crate, you will simply need to take him outside more often. Monitor him carefully for signs he has to go.

Pick up his bowl when he finishes eating, and about fifteen minutes later take him outside to the area you’ve chosen. If nothing happens after ten minutes, take him inside and put him in his crate. Fifteen minutes later, go back outside. Continue this routine until he’s successful, then immediately reward him. Dogs like to go where they have gone before, and having one place will cause him to associate it with elimination and rewards. A grassy spot is preferable, but if not feasible, use a pad.

How Frequently Does a Dog Have to Pee?

An adult dog can control his bladder for five or six hours. A puppy, of course, for much less time. A rule of thumb for puppies is one hour for each month of age until five months. However, if you see your dog walking in circles, whining, sniffing the rug, he may have to go outside ahead of his schedule. If he does go when you take him outside, make a big issue of it and reward. Until you get to know your dog’s routine, it may be a good idea to take him outside after a long nap.

You can begin by taking him out every hour. If there are no accidents, add 30 minutes every 3 to 4 days until you get to know how long they can hold it.

Still Having Problems?

If you’ve been working with your dog patiently and are still having significant problems, click here for more behavior help.