Training Dogs at Home:
House training is one of the first things every dog needs. Most owners are not too concerned about their dog responding to its name or sitting when commanded to do so, but very few are interested in cleaning up after their dogs on a daily basis. While all training should in fact begin when a puppy is still young, it is particularly important for toilet training to happen early, as this is one of the most difficult things to teach an adult dog.
Puppies can be easily house trained, and the entire process can be completed within a few weeks.
First of all, you should remember that dogs do not like to soil their sleeping and living area. By the time a puppy is around eight weeks old, this natural instinct has kicked in, and your toilet training should begin.
Another thing you should remember is that accidents will happen, sometimes weeks into the training, at a point when you think they shouldn’t. This is only natural. Never scold or beat your puppy for going into the house. In addition, absolutely never rub your puppy’s face in its mess. This is an outdated, cruel, and useless method of toilet training. This will only teach your puppy to fear you, and probably to do its business when you are not looking. Not only will this mess up your house more, it will make it more difficult to teach your dog to go outdoors in your presence.
To begin with, it is generally advisable to get a crate for your puppy. This will be a clearly delineated living area, and the puppy will not soil it. Note that this is not a cage – it is essentially the puppy’s bedroom and refuge. Do not use it to punish your puppy, and do not crate your puppy for too many hours at a stretch. At frequent intervals, take your puppy outdoors to do its business. You will have to figure out the frequency yourself, but a few pointers may help – puppies tend to want to soon after they wake up, shortly after a meal, and often just before they sleep too. Remember that puppies have limited bladder control, and this only improves gradually. Whenever your puppy pees or poops in the right place, praise it and reward it with a tasty treat. If you see it sniffing around indoors and getting ready to go where it shouldn’t, make a loud noise, and then take it outside.
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