How To Easily And Successfully House Train You Dog

Housebreaking

The Crate Method

Housebreaking is normally very easy with puppies as long as the owner realises that a major key to successful housebreaking is avoidance.

Crate training is a highly successful method and helps to avoid bad habits before they begin.

First time dog owners are inclined to see the crate method as cruel. But those self same people will return later and thank you for having suggested it in the first place.

They are also surprised to find that the puppy will soon come to think of his crate as a place of private retreat – his own cosy little den - a place to call his own where he can rest undisturbed or gnaw his favourite chew in peace.

The success of the crate method is based on an age old “instinct” to be clean in their den. This relates to their wild ancestry when pups were at risk from predators. They were easy prey and evidence of their whereabouts such as urine or faeces would lead predators straight to the den. For this reason the mother and the pups learnt to soil away from where they ate and slept. This survival instinct can be used to your advantage when training the pup not to soil his new den – your house.

Using a crate reduces housetraining to an absolute minimum and avoids keeping a puppy under constant stress by incessantly correcting him for making mistakes in the house. The anti crate lobby consider it cruel to confine a puppy for any length of time but find no problem in constantly harassing and punishing the puppy because he has wet on the carpet or relieved himself behind the sofa.

The crate used for housebreaking should be large enough for your pup. It is wise to purchase one that will comfortably accommodate your pup when he is fully grown or you will have to keep replacing it as your puppy grows. Make the crate nice and cosy by adding a bed, and a few toys. You can also cover the crate with a towel to make it feel more like a den.

Begin by feeding your puppy in the crate, Keep the door closed and latched while the puppy is eating. When the meal is finished open the cage and carry your puppy outdoors to the spot where you want the puppy to learn to eliminate. If you constantly take your puppy to the same spot you will reinforce the habit of going there for that purpose.

It is important that you do not let the puppy loose after eating. Young puppies will eliminate almost immediately after eating or drinking. They will also be ready to relieve themselves when they first wake up, after or during exercise or play, when meeting new people and when excited or nervous. If you keep a watchful eye on your puppy you will quickly learn when this is about to take place. A puppy usually circles and sniffs the floor just before he relieves himself. Do not give your young puppy the opportunity to learn that he can eliminate in the house. Your housetraining will be reduced considerably if you avoid this happening in the first place

It’s important to stay with your puppy while he is eliminating. That way you know that he has been and it will also give the pup confidence. When your pup has finished his business, praise him handsomely and reward him for his good behaviour. Give him a small treat to show your appreciation, and play a game with him before returning indoors. Positive reward based training not only helps your pup to learn what is required of him, it also benefits your relationship. Do not rush indoors as soon as the pup has done his business. If you do the pup will soon learn to keep his legs crossed in order to gain more fun time outside. Your puppy should associate going to the toilet with a fun enjoyable experience not as a punishment (i.e. the end of his fun time outside.)

Each time you put your puppy in the crate give him a small treat of some kind. Throw the treat to the back of the crate and encourage him to walk in on his own. When he does so praise him and perhaps hand him another piece of the treat through the opening in the front of the crate.

Most puppies are good about going into the crate, but many will not readily come out! Never reach in and grab and pull the puppy out. Always encourage the puppy to come out on his own and praise him warmly when he does.

Do not succumb to your puppy’s complaints about being in the crate. The puppy must learn to stay there and do so without unnecessary complaining. A quick No command and tap on the crate will usually get the puppy to understand that his theatrics will not result in his liberation. Remember that as pack leader you make the rules and the puppy is seeking to learn what they are.

Do try to understand that a young puppy will not be able to contain himself for long periods. Puppies of that age must relieve themselves every few hours except at night. Your schedule must be adjusted accordingly. Also make sure the puppy has relieved himself – bowel and bladder – the last thing at night and do not dawdle when you waken up.