Clients Corner House Training Handbook

House Training Hints

If you have never trained a puppy, two things will surprise you. First, the number of times it has to go out during the day, and second, the amount that comes out in relation to what went in.

Housetraining, in the sense of having the puppy indicate that it has to go, can be accomplished in 3 - 5 days by following these hints. If the puppy is left alone during the day, it will take longer.

Feeding: Puppies need to be fed up to 4 times a day. Adult dogs are fed twice per day. Always feed at the same time, even on weekends. Dogs thrive on a regular schedule. Feed the right amount - loose stools are a sign of over feeding. Dry stools are a sign of under feeding. After 10 minutes, pick up the dish and put it away. Do not have food available at other times. Keep the diet constant. Abrupt changes will cause digestive upsets.
Establish a Toilet Area: Always take the dog to the toilet area when you want him to eliminate. If possible, this area should be a straight line from the house. Stand still and let him concentrate on what he is doing. Be patient, give command "Hurry Up" or "Go Potty". After he is done, praise him.
When to take the dog to the toilet area: After eating or drinking, after waking up, and after he has played or chewed. Signs to watch for are sniffing while circling.
Dealing with accidents: If your dog has had an accident in the house, do not call him to you to punish him. It's too late. Always keep calm. Clean up the mess making sure your dog is not watching you. Use white vinegar as a cleaner or "Nature's Miricle". Do not use any ammonia-based cleaners.
Catching your dog in the act: Sharply call his name and clap your hands. If he stops, take him to his toilet area. If he doesn't, let him finish and don't get mad. Do not try to drag him out because that will make your cleanup job that much more difficult.
Hint: Until your puppy is reliable, it is not a good idea to let him have the run of the house.
Relapses: Should your dog have a relapse once he has been housetrained, have him examined by your veterinarian.
Crates: Crates are very useful throughout a dogs life. For house training, it is imperative. It makes your work a lot easier. At the same time, it makes it a much easier lesson for the puppy, eliminating confusion, and building on the lessons that his mother taught him (do not eliminate in the same area that you sleep).

Additional Information

The best method for housetraining is to use his crate at night or when you are not at home. See the following article on Crate Training from the informational page of www.thetotalcanine.com. The three magic times they have to do their "duty" are after they eat, play, or sleep. Be sure to take your puppy out immediately after each. Watch your puppy at all times. The less mistakes, the quicker he will learn. The first few weeks take him outside every hour to the same area. When he does his duty, give lots of praise and come back inside immediately. Remember, the key here is to praise after each successful trip and its a business trip. Don't turn it into a play trip. If you do, he will manipulate you for life. There's a time for business and a time for play. Mistakes ( messes); Never punish the puppy. Do not yell at or hit or rub his nose in it. If you catch your puppy in the act, say a firm NO. Take the puppy outside to finish, and praise him. Do not use newspaper in the house for house breaking. You will be teaching the wrong message. Remember, if your puppy has an accident in the house, it is your fault not his. Please feel free to call or email us (@ www.thetotalcanine.com) if you have any questions or special concerns. We would be more than happy to help you.

Crate Training

Is a crate cruel?

No. Dogs are naturally denning creatures. A den provides a safe and secure environment that literally becomes home for the dog. A crate is a simple and effective way to take advantage of this instinct and provide an area that is purely his own. It provides a place that is safe from the hazards of the home, safe from destructive behaviors when unattended, and secure in the knowledge that his master is coming back for him.

Crate training provides a controlled and structured environment for your dog that he will appreciate. Quite often, as the puppy grows and freedom is earned, the dog will return to his crate for a nap whether or not you told him to and whether or not you close the door. It's his place.

Why should I crate train?

Taking advantage of the denning instinct gives both you and your dog peace of mind, and allows your puppy to adapt to his new environment much faster. When used correctly, the structured environment can greatly ease house breaking and certain behavior problems, and prevent household accidents by routine effective confinement thereby avoiding frustration and the dog's confusion by your reaction to certain behavior problems.

Puppies learn from their mothers not to eliminate where they sleep. Crating your puppy teaches him to hold rather than to eliminate. Without a crate, your puppy will eliminate where convenient instead of holding, and it will take much longer to teach him the correct behavior of holding until he is brought outside. Crate training also allows your puppy some quiet time. When your puppy is getting to rambunctious, and your just can't keep up anymore, you can crate him and he will soon settle down, giving your both a break. The crate should never be used as punishment. In this example, you are just crating him for peace of mind for you both. After all, a crate is much cheaper than replacing a couch, chair, woodwork, wallpaper, etc.

When can I start crate training?

Your puppy can begin training at 8 weeks of age. Even older dogs with some behavior problems can greatly benefit from crate training. The structured environment has many benefits for dogs of all ages. Older dogs who chew up the house when you're gone, (separation anxiety), will be much happier being prevented from causing trouble rather than being punished for it. The method of training is the same for any age dog.

How do you crate train?

First, you choose a crate that is airline approved whether or not you'll be flying. These are the crates that are mostly hard plastic with wire mesh windows and door. This more closely approximates the denning of choice. The crate should be large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lay flat on his side comfortably. Put the crate in a room of the house where the dog can see most of the goings - on. Do not put paper in the crate, only a couple of well selected small toys. The location is important because he wants to feel participation even when he's crated. Also, no water should be in a puppy's crate so you don't force an accident.

Introduce your puppy/dog to the crate and put him in it while telling him "kennel up". He will probably whine a little but will soon settle down. Do not talk to or acknowledge the puppy/dog while crated as this will just make him anxious. In a short while, let him out. Be careful not to let him out while he is whining or you will be reinforcing the wrong behavior. At first, keep the times short. Your puppy/dog needs to know that you'll soon be back for him. Gradually increase the time he is comfortably crated keeping in mind that young puppies need to eliminate fairly often. Soon, as the comfortable time grows, when you say "kennel up", he'll just walk right in. If you make it a habit of giving him a small treat every time he goes in his kennel upon command, you will soon watch him run into the crate with all his vigor.

Your puppy should be crated whenever you are unable to watch him, when you go to bed, and when you leave the house. He should only be crated for a few hours at a time during the day, and his collar should be removed for safety. Don't forget to exercise your puppy before and after crating.

If you decide to get a crate that your dog can also use when he is fully grown, you'll need to block off the back half with a large sheet of cardboard to make it smaller while he is a small puppy. Otherwise, the large crate size will enable him to sleep at one end and eliminate at the other.

Your dog is a valuable part of your family. Let him participate, enjoy, and share. Your dog should never be denied the human companionship he needs and craves.