Pets Information

How to Housebreak Your Dog or Puppy


Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a habit, breaking it can be a long, frustrating process. Your dog needs guidance and encouragement from you to develop a toilet habit you can live with. Animal behaviorists have learned a lot about dogs over the last couple of decades, and there are many tips available that will make housebreaking your dog or puppy a less frustrating task.

When you consider some of the things your dog or puppy is willing to roll in, or put in their mouth, it's a bit hard to believe they're picky and specific about their toilet areas. Dogs will go to great lengths to avoid soiling near where they eat and/or sleep. That means any accidents an un-housebroken dog has will be far from its food dish and bed. To a dog, however, "far" can mean about 6-10 feet. This leaves lots of "fair game" space in your home, unless you guide the dog to suitable spots.

Whether your dog is a puppy, or an adult dog new to your home, the process is the same:

- Every few hours, take the dog outside to a place you designate as a "bathroom" area.

- 30 minutes after the dog or puppy eats, do the same.

- Stay in this bathroom area, and praise the dog lavishly when they relieve themselves.

- If the dog doesn't use the bathroom when you've taken them outside to the appropriate spot, try again 15 minutes later. Continue doing this until they've actually used the bathroom spot.

- When the dog is inside, watch closely for any signs of needing to "go". A dog will circle and sniff areas when they're about to relieve themselves.

How quickly your dog becomes housebroken depends partly on their personality, but mostly on your diligence in taking them outside at the right time. If your puppy is less than four months old, you should plan on getting up during the night to take it outside. Puppies over four months of age can usually "hold it" through the night, but if your dog cries to be let out, it is best to get up and let them tend to the urge. It is vital that you give your dog every chance to succeed during this time. Positive reinforcement of the proper behavior is the fastest way to teach your dog anything.

Accidents happen, and when they do, your response will affect how quickly your dog learns to "go" outside. If you catch your dog in mid-squat, clap your hands or call their name loudly to distract them. Once you have their attention, quietly and calmly take them outside. Be sure to praise your dog or puppy well when they finish relieving themselves outside properly.

If you find a wet spot or droppings on the floor when your dog is not around, simply clean it up. If your dog approaches to investigate what you are doing, ignore them. Don't talk to or pet the dog at this moment, because it could be interpreted as praise. Above all else, avoid yelling or physically punishing the dog, because they won't make the connection between their mess, and your anger.

Additional information and resources related to this article can be found at: http://www.mypetanimals.com/articles/200506/housebreaking-your-dog/

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard

This article is provided courtesy of The My Pet Animals Shopping Portal - http://www.mypetanimals.com

This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the links are live, and this notice is left intact.

  


MORE RESOURCES:

Pets of the week
The Argus, CA - 4 hours ago
More than 230 pets are available for adoption at the Tri-City Animal Shelter, run by the city of Fremont, and at the nonprofit Furry Friends Rescue ...
Cool city pets and fabulous felines: pet adoption events Examiner.com
Event benefits abandoned animals Indianapolis Star
Dogs, cats need homes for the holidays WBBH
Escanaba Daily Press
all 5 news articles


IGN

The Wonder Pets! Save the Animals! Review
IGN, CA - 4 hours ago
by Adam Ballard December 1, 2008 - In case you're not familiar with Nickelodeon's Wonder Pets franchise, it's an educational children's show about three ...
Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party Review IGN
all 2 news articles


Wilco shelter offers discounts on older pets
Taylor Daily Press, TX - 10 hours ago
By Philip Jankowski Pets older than 5 years are now available for adoption for $25, less than one-third of the normal price, $85. The promotion is aimed to ...


Holiday Deals Offered for Shelter Pets
NBC Los Angeles, CA - 8 hours ago
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is waiving the adoption fee on all shelter pets through the end of December, it was announced Monday. ...


Pets Light Up Our Lives
NorthMyrtleBeachOnline.com, SC - 13 hours ago
by Jennifer Prince,North Myrtle Beach Humane Society DECEMBER 1, 2008 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC – Pets Light up Our Lives is an event to honor our pets; past, ...


Pets available
Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY - 20 hours ago
Look for pets available at Stray Haven Humane Society at www.stray.petfinder.com. * The Chenango County Department of Public Health will sponsor free rabies ...
PETCO Shares Top Picks to Pamper Pets for the Holidays International Business Times
all 2 news articles


Pets get chance to sit with Santa
WFIE-TV, IN - 15 hours ago
NEWBURGH, IN (WFIE) - The Warrick County Humane Society spread some Christmas spirit Saturday at a holiday party that went to the dogs! ...
Road bond for mining company considered Brazil Times
all 2 news articles


Protect Your Identity and Pets with Smart-i-tag(TM)
eReleases (press release), MD - 14 hours ago
Pet Locator(R) Tags by Smart-i-tag(TM) are an inexpensive, easy and convenient way to ensure the safe return of your four-legged family members while ...


Shelter officials' advice for pets as presents: Don't
St. Louis Post-Dispatch,  United States - 1 hour ago
Teresa Weybright of the Macon County Animal Control and Care Center has advice on giving pets as gifts for the holidays: Don't. ...


Families forced to part with pets
Utica Observer Dispatch, NY - 27 minutes ago
Local animal shelters are seeking people to adopt pets. Some contact numbers include: There will be an open house at the Herkimer Humane Society from noon ...

pets - Google News

Article List | Index | Site Map
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.