Top 10 Reasons to
Spay or Neuter Your
Pet
Dog Supplies List
Introducing A New
Dog to Your Pets
Barking
Crate Training
Destructive Behavior
Housebreaking
Separation Anxiety
Urine Marking
Grooming
Kennel Cough
Pit Bull Information
all dogs. But most of the issues are resolvable. One other thing that may be self explanatory is when you
first bring a new dog home exercise them really well before you bring them into the house.
A dog’s perspective
They are nervous and have no idea what the routine is. An analogy is that it's like us starting a new job
and not knowing who anyone is or where everything is. Or it's like us moving to a new strange city. Even
really well housetrained dogs need an adjustment period when everything is new and they relax once they
know exactly what is expected.
What to expect
One of the most common questions new dog owners have is “How do I prevent my dog from going to the
bathroom inside?” This is not always easy, as it may take 7 to 14 days to housebreak a dog. You might
meet with certain challenges. For instance, a sick dog might not have control over when and where he
goes. While training, DO NOT EVER hit your dog. Hitting a dog is cruel, abusive, and entirely
unnecessary in training your pet. In fact, it can cause the dog to become aggressive, not to mention
traumatized.
Method #1 - Crate Training
The following method to potty train a dog is certainly not guaranteed to be full proof, as there is never
any guarantee that a dog will learn instantly and forever what he is taught. You will need: 1) A crate 2)
Treats, and 3) PATIENCE!!
Selecting a crate
Someone in a pet store can help you to select the right crate for your dog provided you have them with
you or can describe their size. The crate should not be too much larger than the dog. The dog should be
able to walk around in a circle in the crate, to feel comfortable and lie down, but not to do too much
else. Because the crate will belong to the dog, and they will sleep in it, they should learn not to use his
sleeping environment as a bathroom.
When to crate
The dog should sleep in a crate at night at least until he is trained, although some people choose to crate
their dogs on an ongoing basis. If you and your family are out during the day, make sure to put the dog in
his crate. Take water away 2 hours before bedtime and take him out several times before crating. DO
NOT PUT THE DOG IN THE CRATE WITH A FULL TANK OF
WATER!
Consistent routine
In the morning or when you return during the day, immediately take the dog outside to do his business.
It’s important to establish a routine with your dog, letting them out at the same time each day, or after
they eat/drink. Reinforce your dog when he uses his outdoor bathroom with very positive verbal
reinforcement, perhaps rewarding him with a treat. For example, you might say, "Good Jake. Good boy.
Good potty". If you repeat these words over time in a positive way, the dog will learn that doing "potty"
outside makes him a "good boy".
Accidents
If the dog goes to the bathroom in your house: when the dog is not looking, pick it up with a paper towel,
then bring it and the dog immediately outdoors. Show him the mess he made inside, then put it on the
ground, and show it to him on the ground. Let him smell it - do not force him, and do not rub his nose in
it. This tells him where he should “go potty”. You may also want to say “go potty” several times as you
show him. Again, remember that positive reinforcement when he goes to the bathroom outside is crucial.
Problems
Although he might have a few mishaps in the beginning, he will find out pretty soon that there is a better
alternative. If possible, do not crate your animal for more than 8 hours. After 10 hours, and it is likely
the dog will not be able to hold it in, and will go to the bathroom in his crate. If he is throwing up or
has diarrhea, call your veterinarian for help and to set up an appointment if necessary.
Use Patience: If the dog takes an inordinately long time to go the bathroom, be patient! It is worse to
bring the dog inside and teach him he can use your carpet as a bathroom than it is to patiently wait for
him to go outdoors and to praise him accordingly.
Method #2 – The tether method
You will need: 1) A leash 2) treats, and 3) a clicker. When you get home, keep the dog tethered to you by
tying a leash to your belt or keep it wrapped around your wrist, etc. most of the time when you first
bring a dog home. DO NOT tether them to an object in your house. Take them out often in the
beginning. Offer a treat after they go outside and use a clicker to make the timing of praise and the
reward more effective. You click the clicker when they are doing the correct behavior and they start to
know that they will get a reward. Make a huge deal out of it every time they do go potty outside – Lots
of positive reinforcement!!
Inside observation
When you get their potty schedule figured out and they go potty outside, start giving them small periods
of time loose in the house but still watch closely so you can catch them immediately if they start to
have an accident. That’s really a big part of it. They don’t understand if it’s after the fact. If they didn’
t go potty outside then keep them tethered to you in the house until they do go outside. They may be your
“little shadow” for a couple weeks, but most don’t need it for that long.
Consistent schedule
Sometimes it’s a matter of changing their feeding schedule around so things are running through their
intestines at different times. Dogs will usually poop if you can take them on a walk. You probably already
know that they generally have to go potty after eating, sleeping, and playing. You may have to pretend
they are a puppy again for a short time but at least they’ll be easier now because adult dogs have better
bladder control.
When all else fails
Other challenges might occur, and this is when you need to examine all your alternatives. You could ask a
professional pet trainer for advice, try obedience school, check out books at your local library, search
the internet, and ask your friends how they trained their new dogs. Happy dog training!
