Housebreaking for Dummies

   Posted: January 2, 2009 | Comments: 0 | Views: 532 | Rating: 4 / 5

Housebreaking a dog can be one of the most frustrating tasks ever attempted. Some dogs take forever to get the hang of things, while others understand where to do their business almost immediately. If your dog is having a hard time getting the hang of things, try these housebreaking tips.

Begin when you bring your puppy home by establishing a housebreaking routine. Don’t let your puppy use the bathroom all over your house or it will become a habit. Determine up front if you will train your puppy to go outside to use the bathroom or use a puppy pad inside. Make a decision and stick to it to avoid confusing your puppy.

When your dog is young, it will not have much control over the bladder and colon. Young puppies simply can’t “hold it” and will go when they need to go, no matter where they are. This will improve over time if you are patient and consistent. Begin by taking your dog to the designated “bathroom spot” at least six times a day. Make special trips after your dog eats or wakes up from a nap.

Be sure to praise your dog and offer a small treat when he successfully uses the bathroom in the right place. Positive reinforcement works well with dogs, especially small breeds like Chihuahuas that tend to be difficult to train.

Avoid punishing your dog for accidents during the house breaking process. Don’t rub his nose in the mess or spank him. Show him the mess he made and say “no” in a firm voice. Then take him to the proper bathroom place and give him a chance to redeem himself.

Keep in mind that puppies take a while to mature enough to understand the concepts of housebreaking. While most dogs quickly realize that a puddle or urine in the floor upsets you, they might not be as quick to realize that the act of urinating is what resulted in your anger.

Many dogs continuously pee all over the house and then look shameful or guilty when you discover their messes. They know the mess will upset you, but some dogs just can’t grasp the personal responsibility aspect of it all. It takes time for a dog to understand that there is a designated place for bathroom business.

Once your dog begins to grasp the concept, you shouldn’t back down on your housebreaking efforts. Many dog owners get lazy the minute they start to see some success. Then they wonder what happened when the dog starts to have accidents all over the house again. Dogs need consistent reminders and guidance for many months before housebreaking habits are perfected.

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