10 IDEAS TO HELP YOU HOUSETRAIN YOUR DOG!

Rule out any type of medical issues. 

     First and foremost, you want to make sure the reason for your pets' potty issues is not because of a medical situation. Dogs, of course, cannot tell you they are in pain, so it is up to you to care for all their needs including understanding when they need help. we recommend having your pet visit your veterinarian right after you bring it home and every year after to rule out any possibilities that you may have missed and to insure a long, happy, healthy life for your new best friend. catching things quick and using preventative measures could save your pets life and save you hundreds of dollars in the future.

Spay or neuter your pet.

   Keep in mind urinating and spraying or marking are very different things. If your pet has not been fixed this could be and easy fix.... no pun intended! Both male and female dogs will mark if they have not been fixed. Males mark to keep other males away and females mark to attract males. The sooner you get this done the better it will be for you and your pet. Dogs can be spayed and neutered as early as 14 weeks. spaying and neutering will keep your pet from developing serious problems like aggression. Males without testosterone are less likely to fight and overreact to unknown situations or people. It can also keep him from developing testicular cancer which can spread to other parts of your pet's body and shorten his life. It will not make him depressed or inactive and will not change his outgoing personality in any way. Females have a higher chance of urinary infections and developing pyometra that can be a serious infection and life threatening for your pet. It is an old wife's tale that female dogs are better behaved and sweeter after they have had a litter of puppies. I laugh every time I hear that. It is just the opposite my friend. Imagine what this poor little girl has to go through warding off every male dog she comes across and how protective she must be over her new little bundles of joy. This will not make for a kinder sweeter pet let me tell you. Oh, but what does? Spaying her. You will have fewer accidents if you get this done before they are fully developed. 

Do not immediately put them outside after an accident.

Plain and simple, you are rewarding bad behavior. If you do this often enough your dog will think every time he urinates somewhere, anywhere, he gets to go outside. He does not realize that when you put him outside it is supposed to be a bad thing, a punishment a lesson you want to teach him for doing something bad. You have just let him out to play and rewarded him for peeing in your home. To correct this behavior, go to the next Item in our list.

Crate train or kennel train your pup.

Have a designated area outside for him to go.

Use a command word.

Use positive reinforcement tactics.    

React quickly if there is an accident.

Never rub your dog's nose in urine or feces.

Use treats until they are conditioned.