Happy Housetraining Tips
By Gene R. Sower
Here are some basic tips for housetraining your dog or puppy based on the tried and true crate training method.
Establish a Regular Eating Routine
As I'm fond of saying, "what goes in must come out." To help you figure out the best times to get your dog to go to the bathroom it's important to feed your dog at the same times every day. This is the ideal time to practice your housetraining lessons. For your dog's comfort it's also a good idea to feed your dog in the same place every day, a place that they will identify as their eating spot.
With your puppy, there's a very short time between eating and eliminating. Figure around 15-20 minutes. When feeding your dog, give her 15-20 minutes and then pick up the uneaten portion (if any). This will also teach your dog to eat when fed. Again, these rules can be relaxed once your dog is housetrained but for now it's key to establish a routine.
Until your dog is housetrained, also avoid treats and in-between meal snacks. The whole idea is to feed your dog, observe them constantly for the 15-20 minutes after they eat and then bring them to the place where you want them to do their business. Do it like clockwork and you'll be putting your puppy in a position to succeed. This is all about setting expectations and teaching your eager learner to do what you want. And when they do, praise them wildly. Make it seem like that little pee or poop that they did is the greatest and most magnificent thing you've ever seen in your entire life. Your friends and neighbors may think you're crazy, but I can't stress enough the power of praise. It's what your puppy craves. Give it to her in generous amounts.
How Old Should Your Puppy Be?
How old should your puppy be before you begin house training? Start as early as you can but don't expect results until the pup is about 14 weeks old. Before 14 weeks your pup cannot physically hold it in. Then why start early you may ask? Well, even though your pup may not be physically able to hold it in, she'll at least begin learning what's expected of her. Consider any training before 14 weeks to be "pre-school." When her physical abilities catch up with what you taught her, it will make it that much easier to put the lessons into practice.
Size Matters
If you're considering crate training your dog as a means of house training, keep in mind that the size of the crate you choose is very important. A good rule of thumb about size is: the crate should only be big enough for the dog to comfortably stand up and turn around in. You don't want the crate so big that the dog will mess at one end and sleep at the other. For large-sized breeds that will continue to grow substantially, you may need to buy a larger crate later on if you intend for your dog to continue using the crate after she is housetrained. You can also look for "Life Stages Crates" made by Midwest that include a divider so you can increase the area within the crate as the dog grows.
And remember, be consistent and observant and your dog will get the hang of it in no time.
Gene Sower is the author of the Happy Housetraining ebook.
Copyright © 2004 Gene R. Sower
Posted by Mac at March 14, 2005 08:10 PM
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