10 IDEAS TO HELP YOU HOUSETRAIN YOUR DOG!
1. 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.
2. 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 can 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 cancer and aggression.
Males without testosterone are less likely to fight with other dogs 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. you will however, have fewer accidents in and on your home and personal items. You will also remove his desire and ability to "spray" everywhere and on everything.
Females have a higher chance of urinary infections and developing pyometra that can lead to a serious infection and become 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.
3. Use a command word.
A direct, strong, serious "NO" is your best bet when your pet is doing something he is not suppose to do.
4. 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 a punishment and 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.
For best results kennel him in a crate or carrier, proportioned to size, after using your command word that you have chosen for this particular no no.
5. Have a designated area outside for them to go.
It's always a good idea to have a special place just for your pup to potty in. If you set boundaries at the beginning, you will have fewer problems later.
Dogs like to potty in a different place every time they go out. Why, you ask? They like to mark their territory of course. It keeps other dogs away and tells them this area belongs to them.
Giving him full range will make it a lot harder to clean up after he is done and if your neighbors have dogs, it can cause fence fighting, kennel aggression or other aggressive behaviors you want to discourage your pet from learning right from the very beginning.
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.
Check out our blog about kennel training.