House Training Your Dog
One of the most frustrating parts of animal ownership is making sure they develop good habits when it comes to when and where they eliminate. Indeed, training a dog to wait until it can be taken out can be one of the most difficult training tasks, requiring firmness and consistency when offering either praise or punishment.
House breaking a dog is much more about having a routine and training the owner than teaching the dog anything. It is important that the dog is taken outside several times a day. This would include first thing in the morning and right before bedtime. However, it’s also important to get your dog outside after playtime and meals.
At least at first, you’ll want to stay outside and make sure that the dog does go. Praise them for this, making sure you use whatever phrase you want the dog to associate with the act of elimination.
One thing that will help is that dogs don’t like to go where they eat and sleep. Putting their food bowl in an area where your dog has had accidents in the past might help keep them from going there again in the future. Dogs are creatures of habits and instincts, so hopefully the instinct not to eliminate near food will override the habit of eliminating in the area.
Also, limiting the area where the dog is allowed to live and play can keep him from making messes. Blocking off the second floor or a hallway leading to rooms the dog doesn’t often go to might help eliminate accidents. Areas that your dog doesn’t visit often might be considered almost the same as outside, so take away the temptation to ‘mark’ that particular territory.
Remember, consistency is key when you’re hoping to house train your dog.
Taylor also writes on articles on dog bed selection such as large dog beds.
Tags: dog house training, dog training, Dogs, house training
March 11, 2010 7:05 am 
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