Sign in to join Ana Walsh's fan club.
How to Housebreak a Puppy Part 2
http://www.dogbehaviorexpert.com
Puppy Housebreaking Rule #1: The most important part of housebreaking a puppy is supervision. You must be able to see what you're puppy is doing at all times, and not let them potty inside the house. Every time they potty inside, you are moving a step backward rather than a step forward.
Puppy Housebreaking Rule #2: You must never punish a puppy for doing any behavior (including peeing or pooping on the carpet) UNLESS you catch them IN THE ACT of doing it. Dogs do not have the mental capacity to understand punishment that comes after the act is done. Even if it's only a few minutes later, their brains can't put the two pieces together.
Your puppy will not understand that you're punishing them for peeing in the house. No, not even if you rub their nose in it. That will just make them afraid of you, and they still won't know why they're being punished. Your puppy will believe he/she is being punished for playing with toys, not for peeing in the house.
Puppy Housebreaking Rule #3: When you do catch them in the act (I say when, not if, because no matter what your puppy will most likely have at least one accident during the process), you should not punish them.
Why not? Because this will make your puppy afraid of going potty in front of you, which will cause problems when you try to get them to go potty outside. They'll be too afraid to go potty with you around.
Instead, pick up your puppy while sternly saying "no", and take them outside (or to wherever it is you want them to go potty).
The best method is prevention. Watch your puppy closely for signals of needing to go to the bathroom, such as sniffing the floor or turning in circles. Keep in mind that puppies will need to go to the bathroom about 30-40 minutes after eating or drinking anything.
Follow the simple housebreaking rules in this article and your puppy will be housebroken in no time.
If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this: you must never correct a puppy for something you didn't catch them in the act of doing. If they're not in your line of sight, you can't catch them doing it. So be sure to supervise your puppy at all times, and if you can't supervise them, crate them.
Visit my website for more tips and tricks! I cover everything from paper training your dog to solving dog chewing problems at DogBehaviorExpert.com
Article submitted Saturday, January 30, 2010 & read 106 times.
Leave your comments through Blogz:
1-0-0-2-0-ADSO
Copyright © 2012 IcoLogic, Inc.