How to Housebreak Your Puppy
Housebreaking
is the most indispensable thing your puppy must learn. Common sense should tell
you why. Do you want your house to stay spic and span? Handle your puppy's housebreaking
well. Aside from the maintenance of your household hygiene, trained dogs are happy
dogs. As creatures of habit, it's in their nature to keep schedules as pack animals.
Here is how you should housebreak your puppy: Ideal Housebreaking
Age When your puppy reaches the age of 8 to 12 weeks old, it's high time
to begin housebreaking. Remember that adage that old dogs can't learn new tricks?
It is true so why take chances? Crate HelpDog trainers suggest
using a crate in housebreaking your puppy. A crate is like a cage, with see-through
bars and a locking door. Its size should accommodate well the dogs size for it
to move around in. It should be used like a dog's bedroom. It is advised to not
confine your puppy in his crate for more than two hours at a time. The
reasoning behind using a crate in housebreaking your puppy is that dogs will not
dirty their sleeping areas. However, he may do so if you lock him in somewhere
for longer than he can hold it in. Never use a crate to punish your dog, it will
backfire. Generally, pups that are three-months old must eliminate every 3 hours,
so you should lead him to a special outdoor comfort place more often. Make
Your Puppy Learn RoutinesAnother tip is to leave the house through one
door only. This door should be the one that you want your dog to scratch to warn
you about his being called by the nature. Taking your pup out at around
the same times every day will be very beneficial for the both of you. This will
help in establishing a routine, and will make him learn to hold it in until you
become available to take him out. Look For CluesIf your un-housebroken
dog is accustomed to roaming freely around the house, search for signs that show
you he needs to do it. Be really observant enough of his behavior, i.e., heavy
sniffing, circling an area, staring at the door with an intense look on his face,
etc. If you catch him WHILE doing it, stop him with a quick grab of his collar
and pull it up while saying "No" using your deep, stern tone (don't
forget to use a deep, gruff voice when stating commands). Then, take him outside
and let him finish what he is doing. Lastly, pat him on his head while saying
"Good (his name)!" It is a must to make your dog get used to being praised
whenever he does anything that makes you proud. Giving him food as a reward when
he does his business in the appropriate spot can help, too. Patience is
a Big VirtueLike any training endeavor, housebreaking requires a lot of
patience. If you definitely despise cleaning your dog's waste off your Persian
carpets on an hourly basis and having your whole house smell like a public bathroom,
you want the housebreaking to be successful in a wink of an eye, if not sooner.
Common Sense Makes a Lot of SenseThe use of common sense will
aid you big time in dealing with your puppy's housebreaking. Logical thinking
should inform you to not give your dog water before bedtime if his tendency is
to pee often at night time. Catering to his schedule first will prove to be very
helpful in making it gradually change into yours. Aside from patience and
common sense, consistency is also one of the important factors of this dog training
activity. If you suddenly forget about the routines yourself, don't blame if your
dog if he starts committing accidents more often. Remember that the stakes are
high (dirty and malodorous house). If you would like succeed in this housebreaking
feat or just about in any other training drills, don't treat it as a game. Allot
enough time and commitment on your part.
Best of luck!
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