Housetraining A Dog, Potty Train A Puppy

Three Dog Blogger — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:42:23 +0000

I wrote the other day about the fact we normally have three Dogs but for a short period of time (thankfully) we are looking after five Dogs. All of our Girls are housetrained and for many months now there have been no accidents in the house. It took some hard work tomake the Dog Potty. Train and train is what we had to do.

This Morning, Mrs. Three Dog Blogger awoke to the dreaded puddle of Pee in the dressing room! I am assuming it was one of our temporary guests, although, obviously, I cannot be certain. Our two Doggie guests sleep outside at their home in a purpose built Kennel so our friends have never had the ordeal of house training the Dogs so there are no nasty surprises in the morning.

I began to think back about the ups and downs I have experienced trying to housebreak Dogs. I haven’t been without a Dog in my life for over 18 years and have learnt a few things along the way.

The following are the best tips I have for housetraining your Dog, potty training your Puppy. You may also be interested in learning how to stop a puppy biting.

Housetraining Dogs And Puppies

Points To Bear In Mind

On average raw Dog food i.e Raw Meaty Bones (yum)! takes between 4-6 hours to pass through your Dog
Whilst dry Dog food is closer to 10-12 hours
As a very rough guide a Dog should be able to control it’s bladder after drinking for roughly 1 hour for each month of it’s age

Bear in mind these are rough guides and all Dogs are different depending on temperament, size, breed etc.

Also bear in mind that most Dogs can wait for significantly longer during the night.

House Training A Dog Or Puppy

Potty Training Tricks And Tips

Looking after Dogs is a lifelong commitment and if you don’t put in the work immediately you will be regretting it in the years to come. Many people do not put in the work required at the start of the relationship with their Dog who may well be a part of their lives for 16 or so years. Don’t be one of those people.

As well as potty training don’t forget it is very important to get your Dog to very quickly get used to other animals in your home. You may have pet rabbits, guinea pigs or pet hamsters. If you have something like a pet hamster then you can buy cheap Zhu Zhu pet hamsters and if you don’t let the children know then you can use them to get your Dog used to small furry creatures in the house. Get a Zhu Zhu hamster Num Nums or a Zhu Zhu hamster pipsqueek and you can let them run about the place and gradually get your Dog used to seeing things like pet hamsters or guinea pigs running around. The more that you can do this the better and quicker they will get used to them.

Whether you have just brought home an 8 week old puppy or an older rescue Dog or any new Dog to your home there are a few general guidelines to follow. The following must be applied to a young puppy but if you are having nasty surprises in the morning from an older but otherwise healthy Dog they apply to all ages. Potty training older Dogs or housetraining Puppies, most of the principles are the same.

Potty Training A Puppy

Bear in mind a young puppy needs extra attention and needs to be let out countless times each day to pee and poop. These are not potty training tricks in so much as what you actually need to do. A puppy needs to be let out on awakening, after eating, after a short play time, after getting excited etc. They will be eating approx. 4 times each day so will need plenty of pee and poop stops. Potty training a Puppy can be achieved quite quickly, but make sure you let it out often. Also esnure that you get the best Dog bedding you can for your puppy. You want something that is suitable for their needs and hardwearing. A Dog bed should be able to withstand some of your puppies energetic activities, and the easier it is to wash, the better.

Housetraining Dogs

Bear in mind how long it takes for water to pass through your Dog and limit the amount of water it can have late in the evening accordingly. Puppy toilet training will be achieved quicker this way.

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This also applies to many Dogs of a more nervous disposition or a Dog in new surroundings. If you are having problems with a new member of the household, treat them as you would a young puppy and see how quickly they improve.

Every time your little bone muncher performs the required action outside, heap on the praise. A quiet “good Boy/Girl” while they perform the action and then go over the top with the praise once they have finished. You are reinforcing the good behaviour you want and the little monkey will be pleased to be getting the praise. House training your Puppy or older Dog is much easier and quicker if you praise them a lot.

Never shout and scream or tell the Dog off if it has an “accident” in the house. Most times it has just not learnt the right etiquette. Houstraining Dogs will not be achieved quicker by shouting.

You need to be ever vigilant to watch for the signs your Dog needs to relieve itself. Has it started turning in circles and sniffing the ground? Is it beginning to squat? If so quickly lead it outside and heap on that praise. Potty training older Dogs will happen quickly if you keep an eye open for these signs.

Feeding needs to be very well regulated, especially for a young Dog. After 5 or 6 months of age you can cut feeding times to once or twice a day. Twice at least if you have a very energetic Dog that has lots of exercise. Once for a more sedate, laid back poochie. Houstraining Dogs is easier if you stick to a feeding regime.

Potty Training Tricks

If the pee and poo is a real problem during the night time there are a few specific things to practise. This is where many people come unstuck. They will not put in the dedication and time required. Houstraining Puppies and Dogs takes dediaction at the start. Many of those with young pups and older Dogs say they just cannot get the Dog to do it’s business late in the evening so there are no nasty surprises in the morning. (Dog Potty Training needs commitment) Well, here is how you do it. If you don’t want to put in the time necessary then how can you expect results? Housetraining a Dog or Potty Training a Puppy takes commitment.

The sad fact is that many of those with Dogs who go to the toilet in the night cannot get their Dogs to go toilet when they let them out last thing at night. Firstly, make sure it is as late as you can possibly leave it. Secondly it is no good saying “But I was out there for 10 minutes and she still wouldn’t go”. Unfortunately, tough! If it takes half an hour then stay out for half an hour. I know it sucks but do it now and have a clean floor for the next 15 years! Honestly, if you have a Dog that will not stop going toilet in the house you need to persevere with this. Dog Houstraining needs to be worked at. It will happen faster if you commit yourself.

Potty Training Dogs Needs Commitment

Unfortunately this will be even more unpopular but if you want results you have to put in the work early. Okay, your puppy simply can’t hold it all night or your more adult Dog will not stop going to the toilet in the night, what can you do.

Set the alarm! I know it sucks but you will be amazed what a week or two of interrupted sleeping for you will achieve. If you let your Dog out last thing at night and will then be sleeping for, say, 8 hours, set your alarm for 4 hours hence. If there has been no mess, great. Take the Dogster out and wait until it has done it’s business. If it has already done it then try a shorter interval. You get the picture.

This works wonders but needs a commitment. After a few days set the alarm for say 30 minutes longer. You don’t want the Dog getting in to a nightly routine. Keep setting the alarm forward every night and in a few weeks your work should be done. You will be getting up at the normal time and not having the nightmare of cleaning up before going to work! Setting the alarm is a chore but it is a very efective way of Housetraining Puppies and Potty training older Dogs as well.

These suggestions take time and commitment but they do work. You have a lifetime of fun with your pooch so get the housetraining done as soon as possible. A few sleep interrupted nights or standing in the cold praising a Dog for having a poo is a small price to pay in the long run.

May the Doggie Force be with you all,

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Other articles you may find of interest:

The Three Dog Blog » House Training