Are you bringing a new puppy into your household? It’s certainly an exciting new time for your family, but what about if you adopt a shelter dog, maybe an older dog, which might not be trained. While puppies are cute and cuddly there’s a learning curve, and that goes the same for a new dog in your home. Dog Day Getaway is going to give you 5 simple steps to potty training your dog (old or new).
Before you bring this new family member home, you should take some things into consideration. Training a dog to sit, stay, come are relatively easy versus potty training (housebreaking) a dog. This training doesn’t have to be tough nor time-consuming. We’re going to show you how to train on your schedule.
Is your dog ready to be house-broken?
Whether your dog is a pup, or an older dog you’ve adopted, any dog at any age is able to be house trained. While the best time to train a dog is when they’re between 2 to 3 months old, often, we adopt older dogs from shelters and don’t know if the dog has been properly housebroken. This is especially true if the dog was a stray.
One of the most important tasks is to set up a proper potty training schedule. Once you set up a routine for feeding and then a potty break your dog will get begin to understand where they’re supposed to do their business. Feeding, watering, and walking your dog on a regular schedule will also make housebreaking your dog much simpler.
Should you use a crate? Advantages and disadvantages of using the crate system
The crate method can often be a useful tool for potty training a puppy or even an older dog. It will keep them confined when you’re not able to watch them during the day. Dogs are hygienic and won’t lay down or sit in they’re own feces or urine. What you’ll find if they make an accident in their crate is them as close to the entrance as possible, and this can be uncomfortable for them if they’ve been cooped up too long.
Be sure there is enough room in the crate for your dog to turn around, but don’t leave so much room that she/he will be able to go potty and lie down far away from it. Many dog owners view a crate as a jail cell or to use as punishment, but your dog will love having his own space where he can escape from the hustle and bustle of the household for some quiet time. Make your dogs crate a happy place and don’t use it for punishment.
By placing a favorite chewy or toy in there with him they will have their own place go when they need to relax. Utilizing a crate for your dog can keep him out of trouble and not only in housebreaking.
Puppies are like children and they thrive on a routine. Try and take the dog out around the same time every day so they will be able to adjust their bodily functions. The first thing you should do in the morning is to take the puppy from the crate and don’t let his feet touch the ground. Bring him to the place where you want him to go, give the cue, and praise upon successful completion. Take your puppy out at least every two hours, after eating or drinking and especially after play. Before you know it, your puppy will be letting you know it is time to go out and do his business.
Keeping a close eye on your dog when potty training
When inside your home, and you witness your dog circling and sniffing and sniffing an area, or possibly circling or beginning to squat, immediately take him outside to the place where you want him to go
Always watch your dog when they are outside to determine if they even went potty. Some dogs will run around and then travel back to the door. You must watch your dog and stay with them until they really go potty. It’s imperative to watch them for them to be properly house trained.
Try not to let your dog roam around your home
If you let your puppy or dog roam through your home, and they aren’t house trained, could be bad for your furniture and carpet. Some older dogs (starting at about 5 months) tend to “mark” places in your home. “Marking” typically means urinating on furniture, drapes, and curtains. This is typically done by a male dog that hasn’t yet been “fixed”. It’s difficult to keep track of a dog when they have the run of your home. You might want to consider using a gate to block them from leaving the kitchen or living room.
Keep up the schedule
If you think your dog isn’t “getting it” when it comes to house training, trust us when we say they are, but they just need simple reminders every so often. They also may have an accident every so often, it’s best not to go overboard on correction because it’s just as much your fault as theirs. Keep an eye on your dog, their mannerisms, and keep to the schedule.
TIP: Use the same door when you take them outside. They will begin going to this door knowing when they need to go and will alert you to their need by whimpering or scratching/pawing at this door. Again, keep your eye out for these clues their giving you and you’ll have a well trained housebroken dog in no time.