Difference between revisions of "House Train Your Dog Quickly"
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| − | + | Depending on your dog, your family and your lifestyle, house training a dog can be anywhere from easy to almost impossible. It can work to house train your dog quickly so that you can move past this difficult stage of owning a dog. It takes planning, dedication and patience, but your dog can get house trained in a short amount of time. | |
| − | [[Category:House Training Dogs]] | + | [[Category: House Training Dogs]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Preparing to House Train Your Dog=== | ===Preparing to House Train Your Dog=== | ||
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#*Be sure to follow your city’s ordinances with regards to pet waste removal. If you are in a city and don’t have a good green space for your dog to toilet, make sure you have plastic bags to pick up the waste. | #*Be sure to follow your city’s ordinances with regards to pet waste removal. If you are in a city and don’t have a good green space for your dog to toilet, make sure you have plastic bags to pick up the waste. | ||
#*If you live in a small space, such as a high rise apartment, you might need to use a dog litter tray in your apartment. This will give your dog a place to go inside. | #*If you live in a small space, such as a high rise apartment, you might need to use a dog litter tray in your apartment. This will give your dog a place to go inside. | ||
| − | #Make the dog’s crate a safe place. Your dog will stay in his crate for a few hours during the day, as well as overnight. Dogs like to have a small “den” to sleep in. A crate is a good place for the dog to feel safe.<ref>http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/05/12/four-proved-principles-of-housebreaking-a-dog-of-any-age.aspx</ref> Make the crate comfortable, with a blanket, chew toys and squeaky toys. | + | #Make the dog’s crate a safe place. Your dog will stay in his crate for a few hours during the day, as well as overnight. Dogs like to have a small “den” to sleep in. A crate is a good place for the dog to feel safe.<ref name="rf1">http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/05/12/four-proved-principles-of-housebreaking-a-dog-of-any-age.aspx</ref> Make the crate comfortable, with a blanket, chew toys and squeaky toys. |
#*Don’t use the crate as a punishment. Otherwise, your dog will associate this place with fear or anxiety rather than safety and comfort. | #*Don’t use the crate as a punishment. Otherwise, your dog will associate this place with fear or anxiety rather than safety and comfort. | ||
#Learn your dog’s signs. Pay close attention to your dog so that you learn when he has to go. This might include the dog walking around stiffly or in circles, sniffing the floor like he’s searching for somewhere to pee, or letting his tail rest in a strange position. | #Learn your dog’s signs. Pay close attention to your dog so that you learn when he has to go. This might include the dog walking around stiffly or in circles, sniffing the floor like he’s searching for somewhere to pee, or letting his tail rest in a strange position. | ||
| − | #*If your dog looks like he needs to relieve himself, take him out to his designated spot right away. Do this even if you’re not at your scheduled potty break.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/housetraining_puppies.html</ref> | + | #*If your dog looks like he needs to relieve himself, take him out to his designated spot right away. Do this even if you’re not at your scheduled potty break.<ref name="rf2">http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/housetraining_puppies.html</ref> |
#Keep track of your dog’s habits. Write down your dog’s eating schedule and bathroom habits. Note when your dog urinates and defecates. Note the exact time your dog eats and any other treats it is given during the day. Your journal will help you determine how long after eating and drinking your dog typically needs to relieve himself. You can use this information to adjust your schedule if necessary. | #Keep track of your dog’s habits. Write down your dog’s eating schedule and bathroom habits. Note when your dog urinates and defecates. Note the exact time your dog eats and any other treats it is given during the day. Your journal will help you determine how long after eating and drinking your dog typically needs to relieve himself. You can use this information to adjust your schedule if necessary. | ||
| − | #Keep a close eye on your dog at all times. You need to keep a vigilant eye on your dog whenever he is out of his crate. Even if he’s in the kitchen during his free time, you still need to watch him. This will ensure that you catch him before he has an accident. It’s imperative during this time that your dog associates toileting with going outside.<ref | + | #Keep a close eye on your dog at all times. You need to keep a vigilant eye on your dog whenever he is out of his crate. Even if he’s in the kitchen during his free time, you still need to watch him. This will ensure that you catch him before he has an accident. It’s imperative during this time that your dog associates toileting with going outside.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*You might consider tethering your dog to your waist with a leash when he is out of his crate. This way, you will be sure to keep him very close to you. You can track his movements more closely. | #*You might consider tethering your dog to your waist with a leash when he is out of his crate. This way, you will be sure to keep him very close to you. You can track his movements more closely. | ||
#Clean up messes immediately. If your dog has an accident in the house, clean it up as soon as possible. You don’t want your dog associating relieving himself with being inside the house. | #Clean up messes immediately. If your dog has an accident in the house, clean it up as soon as possible. You don’t want your dog associating relieving himself with being inside the house. | ||
| − | #*Don’t use an ammonia-based cleaner. Urine has ammonia in it, so your dog might associate the cleaner’s smell with urinating. Instead, use an enzymatic cleaner on soiled areas.<ref>https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/house-training-your-puppy</ref> | + | #*Don’t use an ammonia-based cleaner. Urine has ammonia in it, so your dog might associate the cleaner’s smell with urinating. Instead, use an enzymatic cleaner on soiled areas.<ref name="rf3">https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/house-training-your-puppy</ref> |
#*Don’t punish your dog for having an accident indoors. | #*Don’t punish your dog for having an accident indoors. | ||
===Giving Praise to Your Dog=== | ===Giving Praise to Your Dog=== | ||
| − | #Give lots of praise. When your dog has relieved himself outdoors, give him lots of attention and pats. Say, “Good dog!” and other praise. Have a little celebration with your dog. This lets your dog know that its behavior is remarkable and deserves praise.<ref>http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/housebreaking/Housebreaking</ref> | + | #Give lots of praise. When your dog has relieved himself outdoors, give him lots of attention and pats. Say, “Good dog!” and other praise. Have a little celebration with your dog. This lets your dog know that its behavior is remarkable and deserves praise.<ref name="rf4">http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/housebreaking/Housebreaking</ref> |
#Make sure to time your praise appropriately. When your dog has finished relieving himself, give him praise right away. You want to be sure that he associates the praise with the action that he just did. Otherwise, he might get confused about what he’s being praised for. | #Make sure to time your praise appropriately. When your dog has finished relieving himself, give him praise right away. You want to be sure that he associates the praise with the action that he just did. Otherwise, he might get confused about what he’s being praised for. | ||
#Keep your voice friendly. Don’t use a harsh tone with your dog while you’re house training him. You don’t want him to feel scared or anxious about going outside or relieving himself. | #Keep your voice friendly. Don’t use a harsh tone with your dog while you’re house training him. You don’t want him to feel scared or anxious about going outside or relieving himself. | ||
#*Don’t yell at your dog if he has an accident indoors. | #*Don’t yell at your dog if he has an accident indoors. | ||
| − | #Don’t punish your dog for accidents. Your dog is learning how to follow your instructions. Be patient with him. Don’t rub his face in his waste.<ref | + | #Don’t punish your dog for accidents. Your dog is learning how to follow your instructions. Be patient with him. Don’t rub his face in his waste.<ref name="rf3" /> Don’t yell or shout at your dog. Don’t hit your dog. If you’re not patient and friendly, your dog may associate fear and punishment with toileting. |
#*If you catch your dog in the middle of an accident, make a loud noise or clap to startle him. Then he will stop urinating or defecating, and you can take him outside to finish up. | #*If you catch your dog in the middle of an accident, make a loud noise or clap to startle him. Then he will stop urinating or defecating, and you can take him outside to finish up. | ||
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
*Ideally, you’d give your dog about 2 weeks to be fully housebroken. | *Ideally, you’d give your dog about 2 weeks to be fully housebroken. | ||
| − | *Keep in mind that your dog may not be totally housebroken when you take him to someone else’s house. He knows the routine in your house, but he may not know where to go elsewhere. Be patient with your dog as he learns about another place.<ref | + | *Keep in mind that your dog may not be totally housebroken when you take him to someone else’s house. He knows the routine in your house, but he may not know where to go elsewhere. Be patient with your dog as he learns about another place.<ref name="rf3" /> |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
| − | *If house training is not working for your dog, you may need to identify issues that are preventing him from being housebroken. For instance, certain medical conditions make house training difficult.<ref> http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/house-training-adult-dogs</ref> Check with your vet if you have concerns about your dog. | + | *If house training is not working for your dog, you may need to identify issues that are preventing him from being housebroken. For instance, certain medical conditions make house training difficult.<ref name="rf5"> http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/house-training-adult-dogs</ref> Check with your vet if you have concerns about your dog. |
==Related Articles== | ==Related Articles== | ||
