HOUSETRAINING TIPS
There are several methods of housetraining including the following and more. My personal favorite is "crate training" but always use the method that works best for you and your pet.
1. CRATE TRAINING
Crate training is called such because of the use of a crate during housetraining. However, the crate can actually be any small area that simulates a den. Crate training uses the same instincts that all dogs have left over from their wolf days. These instincts help to keep wolf puppies from being discovered and killed in their dens. When wolf puppies are very young, the mother will clean (eat) the urine and feces to prevent odor which could attract predators. As the puppies get old enough to leave the den, they will toddle out away from the den to potty, to again keep odor from accumulating. This instinct to keep the den clean can be used to housetrain. Dogs will not automatically think of the whole house as a den because it is too large. Dens are small and dark. So start with a crate that is only large enough for the puppy to stand and turn comfortably. Make the crate a pleasant place. Add a blanket, toys and a occational treats. Never use it as punishment. This will be where the puppy will rest while housetraining.
The rule of thumb for time in a crate is one hour for each month of age of the puppy. If the puppy is 2 months old then no more than two hours in the crate at a time. That does not mean that you should wake a puppy to go outside unless you will not be near to hear the puppy wake up. You want to encourage the puppy to cry when he needs to go out but he will not cry long until he MUST potty (wherever he is).
The daily schedue will be something like the following
1. Wake up, take puppy outside. Do not stop to shower or potty yourself. Grab robe and pup and out in whatever weather you have. Stay happy but do not play with pup. Give some command to let the pup know what is expected. I like to use "go pee", "go potty" Yes I have two commands. Yes they do learn that they mean different things.
2. Puppy potties! now PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE!. remember speed will be important in the winter or in the rain etc.
3. After puppy pees and poos, PRAISE and return to house. You may now attend to your needs and feed puppy.
4. Keep puppy in sight. If you can not watch the puppy, put him back in the crate. Even if it is just during your bath/shower.
5. Take puppy outside anytime he cries or acts restless. Keep the crate near you even at night. If the pup cries at night take him out. Puppy should have to go less at night than during the day. Some will sleep the night through even at two months but don't expect it.
2. ON THE HOUR
This method is exactly what it sounds like. Take the puppy out every hour or so and PRAISE it well if it potties in the the appropriate place. Ignore all accidents in the house uness the puppy is caught in the act. If seen having an accident, use a sharp interupting voice, grap puppy and take outside. If the puppy finishes outside then praise well.
3. WATCH AND WAIT
To accomplish housetraing with this method simply, watch the puppy for signs that it needs to potty.
1. restlessness
2. walking in circles
3. sniffing and smelling
4. walking away from the activity or people
When any of these behaviors are seen, take the puppy outside and give potty command. If puppy potties then PRAISE.
Be consistent, be alert, and clean thoroughly any place that the puppy has an accident in the house. If they smell where they went one time, they will go back to that spot and use it again. A puppy under the age of four months really cannot be said to be completely housebroken, their little brians and their bladders are just not mature enough. If your puppy seemed to be housebroken and is now having freedom in your house and backslides into soiling the house, go back to the beginning as though he was never trained at all and start over.
Be aware that there are going to be times when your housebroken dog will have a tummy upset from changes in diet, an intestinal virus, bacteria or worms, and may soil your house. If your dog is ill, don't blame him. If you haven't been home soon enough, or neglected to let him out in time, don't blame him, it's your fault, not his. But if it becomes a habit and there is no physical problem, go back to the beginning and start over.
