Housebreaking
The key to training your dog to elimiate outside (where you want him
to) is to prevent accidents and to reward success. Adult dogs have better
bladder and bowel control. They can "hold it" for a longer
period of time than puppies. The rule of thumb with puppies is: Take their
age in months and add one, and that is the number of hours the puppy can
"hold it" (i.e. a 4-month old puppy can be expected to be clean
for up to 5 hours at a time).
Here are some tips to successful housebreaking...
- Feed your dog on a schedule (he'll eliminate on a schedule, too).
- Keep your puppy's diet simple and consistent (avoid table scraps and
canned foods; a high quality dry kibble produces the least waste).
- Choose an area outside of about ten square feet where you wish your
dog to potty. Take your dog on a leash to the area, and pace back and
forth (movement promotes "movement"). Chant an encouraging
phrase ("Do your business, do your business...").
- Do this for a maximum of three (3) minutes:
- If he eliminates, give your puppy HUGE PRAISE and play with him.
- If he doesn't eliminate, keep him on the leash, go back indoors,
and keep the dog with you indoors on the leash or confined in a
crate. Try again in an hour.
- Eventually your dog will learn to eliminate appropriately, and you
can give him huge praise and playtime with each success.
- After each success, allow 15 minutes of freedom in the house before
placing the dog back on the lead or back in the crate.
- After each three consecutive days of success, increase this freedom
by fifteen more minutes.
- If there is an "accident", decrease freedom by 15 minutes
for three days.
Remember! Do not punish accidents! Ignore them, and
reward success!
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