In the wild, dogs are pretty clean animals. They generally don’t soil the place near they eat or where they sleep. But let’s face it—even though you might give Fido premium pet food or a spot on your bed, a house just isn’t a natural environment for a canine. Your pet’s natural instincts involve roaming for the perfect bathroom spot, so your furry friend will need a little extra help to learn where he can relieve himself.
It’s important to teach your pup proper toilet rituals as soon as possible, so they don’t start to develop bad habits. Trying to break your dog of a bad habit can be very frustrating for both you and your pet. So, what is the best way to go about housebreaking your dog?
Some simple guidance and encouragement is the best thing you can give to any animal. First of all, it’s important to recognize that dogs are actually very sanitary creatures. If they do accidentally soil your house, it is likely that it will be at least six feet away from their eating or sleeping place. However, unless you train your dog to find a good place to go, the rest of your house is fair game.
To start your training, you’ll need to take your puppy outside every few hours and also half an hour after he eats. Essentially, it’s a repetition game. The more frequently and consistently you take your dog out, the sooner they will understand that your house is not one huge toilet! Stay outside with your pet relieves himself and then be sure to praise him when he goes. If he doesn’t go, take him inside and try again after about fifteen minutes. Pay attention, because if your dog starts to sniff around the room and walk in circles, it’s a sign that he is about to go.
Keep in mind that all dogs learn at different speeds. If you are training a puppy that is less than four months old, he will need to be let out during the night. Older puppies can sometimes hold it for the duration of the night, but if your dog starts crying, then it probably has a pretty urgent need.
Just like working with little children, positive reinforcement is the key to your four-legged friend’s success! The way you approach your dog’s training will have a huge affect on how quickly it proceeds. If you catch your puppy relieving himself inside, distract him with a loud clap or call his name. The absolute worst thing you can do to an animal is yell or physically punish him—techniques that will only make your pet afraid of you. By making housebreaking training as much fun as possible, your pet is sure to be a quick learner!
