House Training Done Right

New dog owners often find that they have much more difficulty house training a dog than they first think that will when they first get a puppy. Indeed, training a dog to wait until it can be taken out can be one of the most difficult training tasks, requiring firmness and consistency when offering either praise or punishment.

The first thing an owner needs to realize is that they’re also teaching themselves a routine, not just teaching the dog. It is important that the dog is taken outside several times a day. This would include first thing in the morning and right before bedtime. However, it’s also important to get your dog outside after playtime and meals.

At least at first, you’ll want to stay outside and make sure that the dog does go. Praise them for this, making sure you use whatever phrase you want the dog to associate with the act of elimination.

One thing that will help is that dogs don’t like to go where they eat and sleep. This fact can be taken advantage of if the owner places a small bowl of food in any area of the house where the dog has had an accident in the past. Dogs are creatures of habits and instincts, so hopefully the instinct not to eliminate near food will override the habit of eliminating in the area.

Also, limiting the area where the dog is allowed to live and play can keep him from making messes. Often owners find they have to block off the second floor of a home or the hallway leading to the bedrooms of the house. Areas that your dog doesn’t visit often might be considered almost the same as outside, so take away the temptation to ‘mark’ that particular territory.

Remember that the most important part of house training a dog is remaining consistent.

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