HOUSE TRAINING YOUR DOG or PUPPY

Written by Mare Shey - Dancin' Woofs Dog Training

Learning to live inside a house with a family is difficult for any puppy. Their brains are hard-wired to be born outside in a den, with a world full of sticks, bones, fun things to chew on, and knowing the only place they should NOT eliminate is in their sleeping quarters. Living with humans presents a totally different set of guidelines.

Fortunately, puppies and dogs can learn the rules extremely fast as long as we don't continually change them. The first and most important guidelines are for us. Decide to set the puppy's world for success: set the rules, be consistent, don't send mixed messages, and devote the time needed in the beginning to get immediate results.

TIMING
Your puppy will need to eliminate as soon as they wake up, after they eat or drink, after they sleep or nap, after exciting play, when they circle and sniff the ground, or every couple hours. It is important each and every time you take them outside to an "eliminate area" that you do the following: take them on leash to the spot and one of two things will then happen:

IF THEY ELIMINATE
If they eliminate outside they earn supervised free time in the ex-pen or with you in the house. If the puppy is free in the house you must supervise them 100% of the time, just like you would a one-year-old child, otherwise the ex-pen is much safer. You can also tether the dog to you on a leash. This way you can direct the puppy to appropriate play at all times and watch for signals that they need to eliminate again. Continue to take them out every hour.

IF THEY DON'T ELIMINATE
If the pup does not go when you take them out, then put them back into the crate for another 5-10 minutes, then try to take them back outside and give them another chance to eliminate. Repeat procedure as necessary and all day long.

SLEEPING TIPS
Crate your pup at night. Often, until they are several months old, they will have to go in the middle of the night. They should let you know this by whining. If this happens, take them outside on leash, with no play, then back in the crate for the rest of the night. As soon as you wake in the morning, take them to their spot. Feed them and take them outside again. Most pups will get into a pattern of pooping and peeing after they eat.

FIRST DAY TIPS
This will help if you have gotten your puppy within 2 hours from your home. Pick them up in the morning before breakfast. The first time you bring the pup home take them out to your yard or where you would like the pup to eliminate on leash. Praise if they go. If not, no worries. Next, feed them and again take them immediately to the place you want them to go potty, on leash. This will hopefully start you out with your first success in the right place. If they do not eliminate, practice information above.

ACCIDENTS
If your puppy starts to go in the house, interrupt them with your voice ("Auck, outside") and take them immediately outside to the right place. If your puppy does have an accident in the house, ask yourself how you could do better next time. If you put in the time the first couple of weeks and really supervise the puppy, you'll be done with house training much sooner than if you allow accidents to occur. Be consistent in your puppy's training and they will learn quickly. If an accident occurs, clean up with an enzymatic cleaner (e.g., Nature's Miracle). It is very important to clean a soiled spot well as any residue will stimulate the pup to eliminate there again just by sniffing it, without any thought on their part.

PUNISHMENT
Don't punish the puppy. It will only make training more difficult as the puppy may try to hide the next time he/ she needs to eliminate, rather than communicate with you. Any punishment will hinder your relationship as the pup will not understand and connect the dots as to why it's happening. Treat them as you would a young toddler. With time and consistency, they will get it. It does not work to rub your dogs nose in your mistake.

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