How to Housebreak Your Dog or PuppyWritten by Kathy Burns-Millyard
Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a habit, breaking it can be a long, frustrating process. Your dog needs guidance and encouragement from you to develop a toilet habit you can live with. Animal behaviorists have learned a lot about dogs over last couple of decades, and there are many tips available that will make housebreaking your dog or puppy a less frustrating task.When you consider some of things your dog or puppy is willing to roll in, or put in their mouth, it's a bit hard to believe they're picky and specific about their toilet areas. Dogs will go to great lengths to avoid soiling near where they eat and/or sleep. That means any accidents an un-housebroken dog has will be far from its food dish and bed. To a dog, however, "far" can mean about 6-10 feet. This leaves lots of "fair game" space in your home, unless you guide dog to suitable spots. Whether your dog is a puppy, or an adult dog new to your home, process is same: - Every few hours, take dog outside to a place you designate as a "bathroom" area. - 30 minutes after dog or puppy eats, do same. - Stay in this bathroom area, and praise dog lavishly when they relieve themselves. - If dog doesn't use bathroom when you've taken them outside to appropriate spot, try again 15 minutes later. Continue doing this until they've actually used bathroom spot. - When dog is inside, watch closely for any signs of needing to "go". A dog will circle and sniff areas when they're about to relieve themselves. How quickly your dog becomes housebroken depends partly on their personality, but mostly on your diligence in taking them outside at right time. If your puppy is less than four months old, you should plan on getting up during night to take it outside. Puppies over four months of age can usually "hold it" through night, but if your dog cries to be let out, it is best to get up and let them tend to urge. It is vital that you give your dog every chance to succeed during this time. Positive reinforcement of proper behavior is fastest way to teach your dog anything.
| | Training Your Dog to SitWritten by Timothy Robinson
Training your dog to "sit" is probably first thing you will train your puppy to do. I write puppy because you can start training as soon as puppy has settled in his new home. You might think this isn't that important, a dog knows how to sit. Well, I think it is very important. Read on and you will found out why and how to train your dog to sit. 1. This first one is easy. You just start by saying "sit" every time puppy sits itself. He learns to associate word sit with action. This is a tip you can use in all training. 2. Take out his favorite treat and keep it in your hand. Sausage usually works well but remember to cut it in small pieces so puppy can swallow it fast. 3. Sit down on floor so you get to same level as dog. You are less threatening when you sit. More important is that you are close to dog so you can reward him faster. More about this soon. 4. Slowly move treat over your puppy's head. The intention is to get puppy to smell treat (he will) and follow it with his nose. He has two options. Either back still standing or sit down. It's easier to sit down. 5 Immediately as he sits you say "sit" and give him piece of sausage. This is key factor to all training. The reward has to be exact in same moment as dog does right thing. 6. Praise dog. Show your joy with your voice as well as with your body language. 7. Repeat these steps 3-5 times. Not more than that though, as it has to be fun! On other hand you can repeat steps several times during day.
|
