Dog Training: House Breaking

Housebreaking simply means teaching your dog not to relieve himself inside the house. Anyone who has ever tried the process knows that it isn't easy to house break. Puppy logic is simple, "I have to go. I'll go here."

Routine is absolutely key to housebreaking. At first you may have to take your puppy out every hour. Get in the habit of taking your dog out first thing in the morning and just before bed time. Be patient with accidents.

Here are a few steps that you could take.

• Choose the spot outside where you would like your puppy to go to the toilet (eliminate).
• Keep your puppy in his/her crate, pen area or even tethered to a chair where you are working. Your puppy cannot have free run of the house at this early stage Every 60 minutes take your puppy straight to the designated toilet area outside.
• When you reach the toilet area repeat a cue word you would like to attach to the act of your dog eliminating example "hurry up" but just pick out a cue word or short phrase and stick with it. In your dogs mind you are building an association between the cue "hurry up!" and him emptying out.
• If your pup does eliminate continue to repeat your cue word and the instant your dog finishes doing his business enthusiastically praise and reward him with a small tasty treat. Make it clear that you are very happy with him .Immediately after a successful toilet trip outside you can allow your puppy some free play time in the house. Just spend some time enjoying the company of your puppy, then place him back in his crate or pen area. If after 3-4 minutes of circling around your puppy shows no signs of needing to eliminate take him back inside and try again in about twenty minutes.
• "What about overnight?" . Well, firstly do not feed your puppy close to bedtime and take away his water before you go to bed (don't forget to put it back first thing in the morning). You'll need to set your alarm clock to go off once and possibly twice throughout the night. This is an important step, just take your puppy out to the toilet area as usual and then hop back into bed. When your puppy is young it is physically impossible for him to hold on all night, but before long you will both be sleeping peacefully right through the night.

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