Log in to become a member of Andrew Bicknell's Fan Club!
Getting a new dog or puppy can be a very exciting time for any person or family until the first time he goes to the bathroom on your carpet. House training your new dog can present something of a challenge, particularly if you are a first time dog owner. Fortunately most dogs are relatively easy to potty train if you have a positive outlook and some general knowledge.
The first thing you need to do if you are having troubles is choose a potty training plan and stick to it. One of the best and quickest ways to accomplish your goal is a method called crate or kennel training. To do this you will need to purchase a small indoor kennel that will become your dogs sleeping area.
Dogs instinctively do not like to make a mess where they sleep and by restricting your dog to its sleeping area he will learn to wait to go potty until he is let out of the crate. You do have to make sure that you properly size the crate otherwise if it is to big your dog will sleep at one end and do its business at the other.
For an adult dog it needs to be big enough to stand up in, turn around, and stretch out comfortably. A new puppy will need a kennel that it can grow into, so the type of breed you have will determine how big the crate needs to be.
Consistency is the key to making crate training work. Your puppy or dog will need to stay in the crate except for eating, going outside for potty breaks, or is being played with. You can't give an un-house broken dog unsupervised freedom to roam the house. Dogs that learn to relieve themselves in the house find it easier to do it again.
Using the crate to house break your dog will take a month or two. During this time it can be helpful to have a written schedule to help you remember when to let your dog out, when he needs to be fed, and most importantly when you spend time playing and bonding. You will find that as your dog gets more used to this method he will probably spend more time outside the crate, but he must be supervised at all times. You don't want to give him his freedom before he is completely potty trained.
Here's a few more things that you need to keep in mind:
The first time you put your dog or puppy in his kennel he's probably not going to like it. There will be whining and crying because dogs are social creatures who want lots of attention. If you make it an inviting place with soft blankets, toys, and maybe a chewy your dog will soon get used to it.
Do not put the crate in some remote corner of the house where your dog will feel alone and isolated. Keep it in the living room or kitchen so even when he's in it he feels like he's part of your family. Before long you will no longer have to ask the question, "Why am I having trouble house training my dog?"
There is an excellent resource available for house training your dog called SitStayFetch. To learn more about this training method please Click Here for a Review of SitStayFetch.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
tweet this!