This applies
to establishing an allowable toilet area for puppies
or older dogs that are new to your home. Problems
can include both urination and defecation.
This relates only
to urination that occurs when greeting or disciplining,
or if the dog is highly excited.
This can include
defecation, but is more commonly a urination marking
problem. Both male or female dogs can display this
behavior. It is only seen in dogs that have reached
puberty.
If your
dog has a problem with SUBMISSIVE WETTING and is
older than four months, or if your dog is displaying
MARKING behavior, we would suggest that you contact
us for an evaluation. The evaluation will help
determine why there is a problem. There is no charge
for this service.
If you are committed and prepared from the first
moment you introduce your new puppy or dog to your
home, it should take about two weeks to achieve
appropriate housetraining behavior.
If you have a puppy or dog that has already developed
a bad habit in house training, new reliable behavior
will take at least six weeks to establish.
Always make sure there are no medical problems
complicating issues. Any type of urinary tract
infection or intestinal upset makes house training
difficult at best. Some medications can also interfere
with the process.
Diet can be very important. Some foods can make
it more difficult to house train a dog. Toilet
areas can be as general as an area outside, or
as specific as a litterbox. You must have a clear
idea, however, of what is an acceptable toilet
spot before you start educating your dog. And yes,
your dog can be trained to use only a specific
corner of the yard if you are willing to take the
time to train your dog to that level of understanding.
Your attitude
is probably the most important ingredient in the
formula of house training. You are taking your
puppy or dog through a process of education. He
does not know that it is wrong for him to use your
carpet as a toilet. His mother never told him.
It is not pre-programmed into his genetic coding.
It is your job to help him understand the whole
concept. Do you speak "dog"? He doesn't
speak "people". This language barrier
is best conquered with patience and understanding.
You are creating a schedule for your dog.
CREATE ONE THAT IS CONVENIENT TO YOU!
Do not feed your dog free choice meals while establishing
a housetraining schedule. Keep all meals on a predictable
schedule. Snacks and treats should be kept to a
minimum while setting a schedule. And avoid any
"rich" foods that could upset the bowels
of your dog.
Establish a bed time and a waking-up time. Try
to stick to these times as close as possible.
Young dogs need a lot of nap times; make sure the
schedule provides for these. Keep in mind, the
dog will need to be taken out after all naps.
Anytime the dog has been emotionally stimulated
(i.e. badly scared or frightened, a very rowdy
play session) it may experience the need to eliminate.
Most dogs will be able to "hold it" for
eight hours during the night within two to three
days, but day time schedules have a lot more variables.
Pay attention, supervise and educate your dog and
you will establish a daytime schedule you both
can live with.
If you know where
your dog is at all times, and what he is doing,
you can catch him before he makes a mistake.
If he starts to make
a mistake, firmly but calmly say "No"
and take him straight out to the toilet area. Do
not yell at him or chase him. If
you are busy and cannot totally supervise your
dog, put him in a contained area where he won't
make a mistake, or tie him to a doorknob in the
area you are in. If
you are sitting watching TV or reading, have the
dog with you on a long line or leash. This way,
the dog cannot wander into another room and make
a mistake. Before you relax, give your dog some
of his toys to play with, so that he learns that
being with you is pleasant.
Do
not leave food and water with the dog, and do
not load the dog down with "doggie cookies"
just before you leave.
If you are gone for more than eight hours, it
would be good to find someone who can go in and
give him a drink and a chance to relieve himself.
Take your dog out to desired toilet area and stand
quietly while the dog investigates the area for
the right spot. THIS IS NOT PLAY TIME!
Do not distract the dog by trying to talk him into
"hurrying up". Three to five minutes
is the length of time you should give the dog.
If he doesn't go in that time, return him to the
house and contain him for another half hour and
then try again.
When he does start to potty: Quietly and calmly
praise him WHILE HE'S IN THE PROCESS
OF GOING. Use the word you have chosen
for this: e.g. "Good Potty".
Learn
your dog's habits. Some dogs need to "potty"
two or three times per outing. Urination is often
followed by a bowel movement.
If the weather is foul and you aren't happy about
having to take your dog outside, it is very important
not to let him sense this. You may create a dog
that doesn't like using the outside as his toilet
in foul weather.
While you are learning your dog's individual
habits, take him out when he wakes up, after
he has eaten and after all play sessions.
Quietly, but very
firmly say "NO". If you feel you must
add volume to get the dog's attention, do it
by clapping your hands together.
Help the dog get outside to the appropriate area.
Follow the preceding instructions for taking
the dog out. Clean
the mess with an odor neutralizer or an odor
killing product. The dog's sense of smell is
much better than ours. If it smells like a toilet
area to the dog, he will continue using that
area for a toilet. DO
NOT clean the mess up in front of the dog.
Realize that someone
wasn't supervising when they should have been.
Put the dog on a leash and calmly bring him to
the scene of the accident. Keep the dog to your
side not in front of you and, while the dog is
watching, quickly and very firmly scold the potty.
DO NOT scold the dog.
Blot up some of the urine on a small piece of
paper, or pick up some of the stool with a tissue,
and take it and the dog out to the appropriate
toilet area. Place the paper with the potty on
the ground and with the dog watching, praise
it for being in the right area. Then leave it
there.
Clean up the remaining mess as previously stated.
