| |
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Puppy Housetraining - What Really Works
Teddy
What? Another dog blog? Haven't we all had enough of those "pomeranian secrets", "shih-tzu secrets", "pouchy-poo misteries unveiled", and you name it? This is just about my experience in raising a happy and healthy airedale terrier puppy (who also happens
to be incredibly smart) and dogs in general.
By all accounts, housetraining seems to be the most difficult thing, but it can be accomplished in as little time as four weeks if you are watchful and quick on your feet. You will definitely need a crate, a good urine odor remover and LOTS of patience.
First, you need to clean very thoroughly all places in your house that your dog considers as his toilet. This is very important, so you need to use the most effective, pet-safe carpet cleansers.
From my personal experience the best thing that really worked for our dog is to catch him "on the crime scene", scold him and make a big fuss about "the crime." Then take him immediately outside and let him finish there. Praise the puppy lavishly and give him a treat ON THE SPOT. Use a specific praise word, like "good potty" and only use it for this occasion.
In a couple of times your dog will start associating soiling the house as "bad thing" and going outside as "good thing"!
Watch him closely and every time he approaches the door, scratches it or barks or wines at the door, take him out. Only give him a treat if he goes potty outside, do not give him any treats inside the house for the whole period of housetraining. This worked perfectly with a 10 weeks old airedale puppy and he was fully housetrained using this method within 5 weeks.
Housetraining can be complicated by your dog's or puppy's history and age, but this method really works.
Posted by lorelea956 @ Wednesday, March 22, 2006
I hope you can help with my problem. My daughter has had a pomeranian, Pebbles, since the dog was about 6 months old. We think she may have come from a bad situation, possibly a puppy mill, because when she first got Pebbles if anyone in the house would talk loud it would scare the poor dog to death and my daughter would find her hiding and shaking. She has had major problems with her peeing in the house. When she first got her it took a long time to train her because she got scared so easily. After months of on and off mishaps things were okay for a time. Now she's acting like she's back to acting like she's never been trained at all. You say something nice to her and she squats and pees for no reason. We've went through the "good potty" routine, etc. but nothing seems to get her totally trained. Any suggestions? HELP!
Comment this post
I think in this case an extra doseage of patience and persistence is required. How many times have we heard "old habits are hard to break." Well the same is true for dogs.
I would use the same methods mentioned in this blog with the caveat of being extra vigilant andalso realizing it may take more time to gain control of the situation.
Good Luck!
Comment this post
He is a cutie! Do you have any suggestions about housetraining a 3yr old Cocker Spaniel? We just adopted him about 2 weeks ago. He has had approximately 3 accidents in the house. We take him out after feedings, but again he has had 2 sprinkles and 1 full blown one. Thank goodness it was #1 only! we don't know what to do.
Help!!!
Comment this post
Yeah, he is known in our neighborhood as "baby doll" and is really a ladies' guy. I have never seen a dog that loves people so much. Maybe it's just in his line, because I heard about some airedale owners that have a sign on their doors "I Don't Call 911!" (meaning their airedales take care of intruders in a way more commonly seen in German Shepherds and Bull Terriers?) As for my Joco Kempie (aca Teddy) it sounds so very much incredible.
Comment this post
your dog is adorable thanks for the tips
Comment this post
|
|
Animal Calendars
|
Topics to Explore
|
Jobs with Pets and Animals
|