Puppy Housebreaking Made Easy
by Richard Livitski
Copyright © 2016 by Richard Livitski
All rights reserved
Table of Contents:
1. An Introduction to Potty Training Your Dog
2. The Hassles with an Un-house Broken Dog
3. Understanding Mother Nature's Conditioning
4. When Should I Start Potty Training My Puppy?
5. The Signs that Your Puppy Needs to "Go Potty"
6. Top 10 Tips for Potty Training Your Dog
7. Taking Mistakes in Your Stride
8. Knowing How a Puppy’s Digestive Tract Works
9. What Role Your Energy Plays in House Breaking
10. When to Expect Results
11. A Few Words on Potty Training Older Dogs
12. A Reminder that Consistency is Key
13. Conclusion
1. An Introduction to Potty Training Your Dog
Potty training a dog can sometimes be a tricky task. With young puppies
it's typically easier to teach them where "to go" but with even slightly older dogs it can be a real challenge.
In this book, we will cover the top
ten ways to potty train your dog. While most of the steps are
designed with puppies in mind, we will touch on training an older
dog. This can be useful if, for
example, you adopt a dog from a shelter that hasn't benefited from
the appropriate bathroom training while they're young.
Whether you're just thinking
about adopting a puppy or one has already become part of your
family, make sure you read through each of the top ten steps.
You'll get a real sense of what you can try, and what might work
best, for your fuzzy new friend!
2. The Hassles Associated with an Un-house Broken
Dog
Any dog owner can tell you that a dog that isn't potty trained can be a
real nuisance! All puppies or dogs in need of training are bound to have accidents from time to time initially, but if doing their business indoors
continues it can cause serious issues.
Not only is it frustrating and unpleasant to be constantly cleaning up after
a pet, it can cause damage and health issues as well. Cleaning urine completely is particularly troubling because it can be extremely
challenging.
On carpet, it can seep into the underlay, causing the smell and even the stain to keep rising to the surface and re-emerging long after the initial
clean-up. On hardwood or laminate flooring, it can leak into the grooves and sit underneath the boards, where it can cause mold to develop and
the smell to keep coming back. It can even warp the boards, resulting in expansion and separation that is bothersome to fix.
If a dog urinates on a spot once, the clean-up should be fairly
straightforward and training can commence to ensure it doesn't happen again. But if your dog frequently has potty training problems, there can
be considerable damage, odor and health related trouble in your home.
Another hassle is the time and money you'll spend trying different cleaning products and methods to tidy up after your dog. Spray cleaners,
carpet fresh powders, stain removers and renting carpet-cleaning machines can add up after a while. And that's not to mention if you wind
up needing to have your carpets or hardwood flooring replaced!
It's much better to invest that time into a potty training regimen than to spend ages cleaning up after messes, and we'll show you how to make
that happen with our in-depth top 10 list.
3. Understanding Mother Nature's Conditioning
Whether you're just getting
started or you're worried potty
training your dog will be challenging, there's one
important thing to keep in mind. Your dog does, in fact,
want to go to the bathroom outside where he or she is
supposed to! Yes, it's true!
Mother Nature will work with you from the early days while
you're training your puppy. Remember that when puppies
are born, their mothers look after their needs, from eating
and teaching to keeping them
clean. A mother with newborn puppies will never allow them
to eat, sleep and live in an area that smells like a toilet.
When puppies get a little older, they naturally follow their mother's
example and follow her outdoors to do their business instead of having accidents in their home. It's reasonable to expect that dogs from two
months of age will begin to pick up on house breaking quite easily through their own natural instincts.
So don't worry or feel discouraged—you'll get there! Follow our advice
and you'll soon be delighted your puppy is having fewer accidents and more instances of eliminating in the right place.
4. When Should I Start Potty Training My Puppy?
So, when should you start potty training with your new puppy? Is there
such a thing as too soon, or worse yet, too late?
You may get your puppy as early as eight or nine weeks of age, and of course you can start guiding them to papers or puppy pads right away.
However, it is typically recommended that you begin focusing more
seriously on potty training your puppy when he or she is around 12 to 16 weeks old. At that age, puppies tend to have better control of their
bladders and are generally more able to "hold it" while they're being trained.
It's important to keep in mind that if you have an older puppy of 12
weeks or more, he or she may have picked up some bad potty habits before they joined your family. Therefore, house breaking may take
longer to enforce.
You will have to retrain your dog, help it ‘un-learn’ those bad habits it's picked up and encourage the right ones with praise and rewards. It will
happen, though, so persevere and your work will pay off!
5. The Signs that Your Puppy Needs to "Go Potty"
If you're a first time dog owner, you might not automatically be familiar
with the hints your puppy is giving that he or she needs to go to the
bathroom. Keep a look out for behavior such as whining, circling, sniffing and barking, which likely indicate that they're looking for a place to do
their business.
Barking and scratching are also obvious indicators that your dog needs to eliminate and even has a good idea of where to do it. Make sure you take
him or her out right away!
6. Top 10 Tips for Potty Training Your Dog…
With that encouragement and knowledge fresh in mind, let's get started on our top 10 tips for exactly how you can undergo potty training with
your puppy. From puppy pad training to leash conditioning, you might find that you use a blend of different techniques or that sticking to one is
all that's really necessary. Whatever you choose, just make sure it's
clicking with your dog and that you're consistent.
#10 – Training Your Puppy with Paper or Puppy Pads
Paper training or using specialist puppy pads can be a tricky way to train your puppy, as you're essentially giving two conflicting messages.
Ideally, your puppy should learn to "hold it" inside and
only do his or her business in certain places outside.
However, that's not always as easy as it sounds
because most people don't have jobs that let them run
home throughout the day to let the dog out! Going
outside can also be challenging in the winter for
little dogs, who can be especially sensitive to the
snow, wind and cold.
In situations where they're
the only option, paper training or puppy pads at
least gets your dog used to the idea of eliminating in an approved spot. As a result, he or she should be more likely to listen to you when it's time
to move the training outside.
In that temporary, indoor approved spot, if you aren't keen on newspapers or puppy pads (which can be costly) then you might want to
try creating what's known as a sod box; basically, a litter box for a puppy, with grass in it! You can make one quite easily yourself; just place some
grass sod or dog-litter in a container like a child's paddling pool and train your puppy to go there instead of on a layer of newspapers.
When you clean up soiled paper towels, newspapers or puppy pads, it can be wise to place them temporarily in your dog's designated elimination
area. The smell will help him or her recognize it as the place they're supposed to eliminate and encourage that behavior in the future.
Pads and papers aren't necessarily the most ideal choice, but they tend to
work well for young puppies, small dogs and initial training. Puppy pads, paper training and even sod boxes aren't a great long-term solution,
though, as they will eventually reinforce with your dog that it's okay to
eliminate indoors. They'll also result in smells and messes that need constant looking after.
DO: Use newspapers, puppy pads or a sod box for initial indoor potty
training, especially for small or particularly young puppies.
DON'T: Continue using this method of potty training forever, or else you'll run the risk of your dog thinking it's acceptable to go to the
bathroom in the house.
#9 – The benefits of the Great Outdoors
Spending time outdoors regularly together can help with potty training in several ways. First and foremost, it will help build your relationship with
your dog. When he or she has confidence in you and sees you as the pack leader, it will be much easier to conduct training and have your dog
comply with your command.
Spending time outdoors together is also good at strategic times, such
as after meals or drinks, when it's
more likely your puppy will need to do its business. We'll delve further
into strategic timing in a future chapter, though.
In the meantime, spending time
outdoors with your dog—not just putting him or her out in the
backyard alone—means you'll notice when your dog goes to the
bathroom. Then you can reward the behavior with treats and praise,
which will encourage the young pup to do the same in the future.
DO: Spend time together outside, pay attention to when your dog does its business outdoors and be
immediately on hand to offer a reward for the good behavior.
DON'T: Leave your dog outside in the backyard for an extended period of time without supervision or encouragement as to appropriate potty
behavior.
#8 – When to keep your puppy on a leash
Restricting your puppy's freedom by using a leash is another practice that
can be effective for potty training. When you take your puppy outside for activities or at set times in the hopes they'll eliminate, keeping him or her
on a leash goes hand in hand with our last step.
A dog on a leash can be more easily observed and controlled. As a result, owners are far more likely to realize what they're up to and be able to
provide praise and a treat when the dog goes to the bathroom in the right places.
A leash can also be a great way to keep control of a new puppy indoors,
who may be inclined to go off into another room and wee when you're not looking. By keeping him or her by your side, you can observe their
behavior and determine when it's time to go outside for a potty break.
Keeping your puppy on a leash can also help you create a set and specific
elimination spot outside. Whether it's a far corner of your yard or a grassy spot outside your apartment building where you can easily pick up after
your dog, picking the same spot each time will encourage your dog to only want to use it when nature calls.
DO: Use a leash at strategic times to keep an eye on your puppy and
immediately recognize the signs he or she needs to go out to the bathroom.
DON'T: Ignore your dog and let him or her have free reign of the house
from the start, without a leash or other humane method of confinement for training purposes. Otherwise, accidents will happen and training
opportunities will be missed.
#7 – Why diet control matters
Puppies’ digestive systems haven't yet matured, so it's difficult for them
to handle a lot of food at once, no matter how enthusiastic they might seem about eating everything in sight. It's a much better idea to break up
feedings into three smaller meals throughout the day, as best as your
schedule will allow.
You should also ensure that you're feeding your puppy high quality store bought or homemade dog food to ensure they're getting the nutrients
they need to grow and not being filled up with junk that lacks nutrition and can be hard on their little stomachs.
While it might not be pleasant, taking a look at
your puppy's stools is the best way to know whether a
diet change is in short order. If your puppy is
consistently producing stools that are bulky, loose,
and smelly, take the opportunity to have a chat
with your veterinarian about other options.
It's possible that the food is
upsetting your puppy's
stomach and making him or her need to eliminate more often. Needless to say, this can be an added challenge when potty training! Feeding your
dog too much food at once can also result in a case of the runs, which will make house breaking your dog even more difficult.
Controlling your puppy's diet and only feeding at certain times of the day
is also a better way to reinforce taking your dog outside to do its business. In a later chapter we'll take a look at the puppy's digestive tract
and help estimate when to expect that your dog will need to go out.
DO: Control your puppy's diet with quality food and pay attention to how he or she is managing to digest what you're feeding.
DON'T: Give your young puppy too many treats or food that can be
upsetting to his or her stomach. If your dog eats too much or gets hold of
too much rich food, a case of the runs can occur and make potty training a real challenge. It's also not good for your puppy's overall health.
#6 – How consistent scheduling is key
Maintaining a consistent schedule is absolutely vital to the puppy potty
training process. Puppies have tiny bladders and when they drink the water virtually passes right through them, making frequent "bathroom
breaks" a necessity. The same goes with their stools— what goes in will quickly come back out, and there's little a young puppy can do to "hold
it."
If you're curious to estimate how often your puppy will need to go out and eliminate, a good rule of thumb is as follows. A dog can typically control
his or her bladder for as many hours as they are months old, up to about
nine months. For example, a three-month-old puppy will only be able to
hold his or her bladder for up to around three hours—if that!
Of course, this is not an exact science and every puppy is
different. Some will have better bladder control and others will
catch on quicker about holding it until they're able to go
outside. And always keep in mind that holding the need to
urinate for hours on end isn't as easy as you may think—have
you ever been stuck in a traveling car with no rest stop
for miles?
Keep an eye on your puppy's
daily events and behavior when establishing a schedule for
feeding, being let out, playing, drinking and so forth. When your puppy is very little, you can expect to take him or her out at least at the following
times, if not more:
First thing in the morning Last thing at night
After any indoor play time After they've spent time in their crate
After you get home from work Once they wake up from a nap
After they've been chewing on a toy or bone After they've had anything to eat, including a treat
After they've been drinking water.
Know that a small puppy's bladder needs could have you running for the backyard a dozen times a day. If you're not able to accommodate this, it's
worth considering hiring a dog walker, pet sitter or trusted neighbor to help out with your puppy a few times a day while you're out. This may
seem like added expense and effort, but remember it won't go on forever.
The quicker you're able to establish and stick to a schedule for your
puppy, the sooner they'll catch on and be able to stick to your expectations about where and when to eliminate.
DO: Stick to a schedule for feeding your puppy and letting him or her out
to go to the bathroom.
DON'T: Feed your puppy continuously and fail to make plans to take him
or her out throughout the day after meals, play time, naps and more.
#5 – Why you and your dog should get more exercise
Along with spending more time together outdoors, ensuring you and your
puppy get enough exercise together is another effective step towards potty training.
Of course, exercising together will increase your bond, build your dog's
confidence in you and encourage him or her to see you as a pack leader. You'll have a lot of fun together and get healthy at the same time.
Exercising with your dog also lets you keep an eye on your dog's
behavior. Whether you're playing a game of tug-o-war indoors or
throwing a ball in the backyard, when you see the signs that he or she might need to go to the bathroom you can whisk off to the designated
spot, and be on hand afterwards to offer lots of praise.
Exercise also helps improve your dog's motility—that is, improves digestion and moves food along his or her G.I. tract. While this isn't such
an issue with puppies, knowing that exercise will likely increase their need to eliminate is essential for you to plan bathroom breaks.
Also, if you're training an older dog who hasn't been house broken,
understanding that exercise might "speed things along" can help you understand when to expect he or she will need to go out.
DO: Get plenty of exercise with your dog to improve your relationship,
improve their digestive motility and keep your eye on their bathroom
habits.
DON'T: Leave your dog unsupervised and without proper exercise and attention throughout the day. Both physical and mental activity can be
instrumental in the training process.
#4 – The benefits of positive reinforcement
If you've had any experience of training dogs in general, you'll know that
some dogs simply crave attention. Even negative reinforcement can be seen as rewarding to them, or a simple eye glance can be seen to justify
their actions. Acknowledgment is what they desire.
Of course, we never advocate for any negative reinforcement. Punishment such as shouting and physical abuse are not acceptable or effective ways
of training an animal, and will not encourage your dog to see you as a
pack leader or someone they can trust.
What is beneficial is offering your puppy plenty of positive
reinforcement when he or she does their business in the area you've
specified. Initially, this may be as simple as going on the papers, sod
box or puppy pads. Later, it will be asking to go out and then
eventually, it may even include going in a specific spot.
Positive reinforcement will
encourage dogs of virtually all
breeds and temperaments to continue their behavior, and it's
your responsibility to teach them that that behavior includes going
to the bathroom in an appropriate place.
When your tiny puppy complies
with paper training, you can praise it with cheerful words, a small treat and affection. This can carry on with
praise when your dog asks to go out and uses an appropriate place outside to "go." Every time your dog goes out and uses the right spot to
do its business, make him or her confident that a treat and a kind word will be awaiting them right afterwards. It won't take long to catch on that
eliminating in a certain place results in getting something they like!
As with other activities such as spending time outdoors or exercising with
your dog, using consistent, positive reinforcement also helps boost that confidence in you and understanding that you're a trustworthy pack
leader.
DO: Use plenty of positive reinforcement to encourage your puppy when he or she uses correct potty training behavior. Encourage him or her to
continue doing a great job.
DON'T: Punish your dog or use any type of negative reinforcement if your dog has an accident while they're potty training. It's counter-intuitive and
ineffective for the training and trust building process.
#3 – When to remove your puppy's water dish
Now this may initially sound concerning, but it's not a suggestion that any
dog should be denied water and potentially put their health in jeopardy with the possibility of dehydration.
Removing your puppy's water dish is a simple technique you can engage
in at a certain point each evening, to help ensure that more piddles are unlikely to be made throughout the night.
Make sure your puppy has plenty of fresh, clean water throughout every
day. Then, a couple of hours before bedtime, put his or her water dish up so it can't be accessed. By taking water away for a short period of time in
the night, you'll reduce the chances that your puppy will wake up and need to go outside, or even have an accident in the house.
Remember that each puppy is different, but you
can reasonably expect most to sleep for up to
seven hours without needing to "go potty." And
on the off chance your puppy does wake you up
in the night, be prompt with a trip out to do his or
her business. However, it's good to refrain from
making a big fuss of the moment or engaging more
than is necessary, as your
puppy might think its playtime and they're being rewarded with your attention. Before you know it, he or she will wake you up every night just
to have a visit!
DO: Provide your dog with plenty of fresh, clean water throughout the day, then remove the bowl in the evening to reduce the likelihood of
overnight accidents or requests to go to the bathroom. If middle of the night potty breaks are needed, conduct them with the minimal amount of
fuss.
DON'T: Make a big production out of requests to go to the bathroom in the night. Remember that puppies have small bladders and even with
training techniques such as removing the water bowl in the evening, may still need to be let out once in the night.
#2 – The importance of picking a spot
Through this book you'll have read my references to having your dog
eliminate in a specific spot. At first this might be on the aforementioned papers, puppy pads or sod box. Then, it might move to outside.
Picking a specific spot is excellent when potty training your dog, for
several reasons. First, it gives him or her a clear, consistent idea of where to go to the bathroom. That will become your puppy's primary spot to use
and they'll expect to return to it.
Having a designated spot can potentially make the potty training easier, because you can associate it with the action of going outside, as well as a
word that you use to reinforce your dog's behavior. Every time you take your dog out, return to the same location and use the same word (which
might be go, potty or whatever you prefer to say—just use the same word
every time.)
Soon enough, that puppy will associate the specific spot and word with going to the bathroom. It will be abundantly clear to him or her that is
where it's appropriate to eliminate.
DO: Pick an appropriate spot outdoors where you can consistently and easily take your dog to do his or her business. If possible, this should be
one where your dog can be let out to access on his or her own once potty training has proven successful.
DON'T: Make a big fuss or issue repeated commands when your dog is
outside, eliminating. This can be confusing and distracting to your dog and make the potty training process even more challenging.
#1 – Why crate training is essential to house breaking
success
Using a crate is absolutely essential when it comes to all sorts of training
for your dog, with potty training possibly the most significant of all. However, it's important to stress that crate training must be executed in a
safe, supervised and humane manner at all times.
Without taking the utmost care and using crate training purposefully and selectively, it can become nothing more than a "doggy jail," a punishment
instead of an effective training technique. At worst, it also has the potential to be harmful. It can be stressful, deny access to food and water
and possibly even be dangerous.
Many people are concerned about the idea of confining their sweet new
puppy in a crate, but the initial hesitation typically diminishes after a few days when they realize that crate training can be helpful and not harmful.
Crates honestly do make life easier for so many reasons.
While we're focusing on using a crate for potty training,
they're also perfect for visits to the vet, traveling,
recovering from an injury or surgery and general obedience
and safety.
If you're uncomfortable about putting your little puppy in a
crate, keep in mind that dogs
are, by nature, den animals. They will choose to seek out a
cave-like refuge for their own security. Perhaps it's one you
provide and include in your training, or maybe it's one
they create for themselves.
If you provide a safe space for your dog to take refuge and be trained in, it'll make it easy for him or her to love the crate and not associate it with
a punishment.
Using a crate can be a safe and effective way to potty train your puppy because dogs are clean animals. Yes, they might like to roll in the mud
(and other even more ghastly piles of other substances) now and then,
but they won't like lying with a bed soaked in urine in their refuge space. With this in mind, make sure that the crate you use for your puppy is just
the right size.
It must be big enough that he or she can stand up, lie down and turn around without difficulty. However, if it's too big then one corner might
get used for elimination while the rest of the crate can be the refuge to relax in.
Crate training may result in upgrading from a smaller crate to a large one
as your dog grows. There are also brands which sell crates that can be partitioned for small puppies and made bigger for large, fully-grown dogs.
When crate training, keep in mind the behaviors that indicate when your
dog needs to go to the bathroom. If he or she is making them in the
crate, it's time to go out, right away! Don't hesitate—it's very hard for a
young pup to hold their bladder and if they have an accident in the crate
they might start thinking that's acceptable.
Confining whenever you can't Supervise
Of course, there will be times when you can't supervise your puppy's
every move. You might be doing housework, running an errand or having guests over. If that's the case, make sure your puppy is restricted to that
same space in the crate that's just big enough. If you're really hesitant
about an actual crate, you could even try using a baby gate to block off a portion of a small room, such as your bathroom or laundry room.
Remember to restrict that area so it's just large enough to be humane,
yet small enough that your puppy won't want to do its business there. Keep in mind how long your puppy has spent in the crate, and if it's been
a few hours take him or her out to the bathroom as soon as you get in! Don't forget to offer a reward and praise when he or she uses the right
spot to go to the bathroom!
Humane Methods of Crate Training
Some dog owners hesitate to crate train because they feel it's mean or inhumane to lock their dog up. Those who are more experienced dog
owners and trainers will often extoll the virtues of crate training, so long
as it's done, of course, safely and humanely.
Don't think of it as punishing your dog by locking him or her in a box.
Consider it from the point of view of your pet, whose natural instinct is to have such a refuge. A private, secure and quiet room with a view! The
crate should become your puppy's personal den of solitude and comfort. It's a place where he or she can feel safe and happy, not getting into
something potentially harmful while you're not able to keep a watchful
eye out.
The Philosophy of Crate Training
In order to be humane, crate training relies on dogs' natural instincts as den animals. A place to hide and sleep. Like your childhood bedroom, tree
house or other favorite spot, it's that ideal place to get away to.
Always remember that the primary objective for using a crate is house breaking. It can also be used to teach other lessons, like not chewing on
inappropriate items. Furthermore, crates are safe and effective ways of transporting dogs for travel in the car and on planes.
Crates are not a punishment—they are safe havens for dogs.
A few Words of Caution about Crate Training
Like any other method of training, keep in mind that your dog's crate isn't the magical, instant answer to your problems. Proper crate training, like
everything else, takes consistency and time.
If you don't use the crate in the right way, it will make your dog
feel fearful, anxious and frustrated. He or she might even refuse to go
inside it, seeing it as something scary or punishing.
Make sure you don't lock your dog
in his or her crate for too long. Keep in mind the general rule of
thumb regarding how long your dog can hold his or her bladder for.
After that, even the best-behaved dog will need to answer the call of
nature, and sadly be left in an unhygienic mess.
You should also not crate your dog
day and night because they won't
benefit from enough exercise, mental stimulation and
socialization. When deprived of these essentials, your puppy will
become depressed or develop serious anxiety.
Including a puppy in your family is about more than just the initial expense and the basics like food, water and a walk. Especially when you
have a young puppy, you might need to make some adjustments to your schedule, retain the services of a dog walker, dog daycare or pet sitter
and focus more of your free time and energy on developing a relationship with him or her.
Know that puppies who are six months old or less can't stay in a crate for
more than three or four hours at one go. That rule of thumb covered
earlier about their little bladders will apply, and they simply are unable to control themselves. Don't leave your puppy sitting in his or her own mess.
If you're crate training an older dog, he or she might physically be able to
hold their bladder for a longer period of time. However, if they've never been taught, they won't know that's expected of them and might have an
accident anyway.
Done properly, you shouldn't need to use the crate as a method of
training and reinforcement for your dog for the rest of his or her life. Once your puppy has proven he or she can be trusted around the house, you
can stop using the crate every time you need to pop out. At that point, it can be his or her den to go to voluntarily.
How to Choose the Right Crate
If you've decided to crate train your puppy as part of developing a potty
regimen, you might be curious about the different types of crates that are on the market today. There are several different types, but how do you
know which is right for your puppy?
Plastic crates, which are also referred to as flight kennels, tend to be used for travel. They are typically beneficial when driving or flying with your
furry friend.
Fabric crates are another version of the plastic ones. With heavy-duty fabric stretched over a frame, they're often best suited to smaller dogs or
puppies for travel purposes.
Finally, there are crates that are collapsible metal pens, which you can place a dog bed inside. While they come in different sizes and can include
dividers for puppies, they're generally less portable and meant for crating
to potty train or teach other obedience skills.
All three of these crate options are available to purchase online and from a wide variety of popular retailers and pet stores.
Remember, when potty training your puppy the crate should only be large
enough for him or her to stand up, lie down and turn around in. If you want to purchase a larger one that can last a lifetime, invest also in those
dividers, which will block off the excess space until your puppy grows.
It is also possible that your local animal shelter may rent you a puppy crate, which you can use until your furry friend grows and you can invest
in a larger one for his or her adult size. In the meantime, before you invest in the permanent crate, you can help out a local animal charity by
renting from them.
The Process of Crate Training
Many dog owners are curious to know just how long crate training will
take. It certainly can be fast and effective, but remember it isn't an instant fix or magical cure that will result in a calm, potty-trained dog.
The crate training process may only take a few days to a week for your
young puppy that is eager to learn and impress their pack leader. It may
also take weeks, if your dog just needs a little extra reinforcement or is
perhaps a bit older. Then, bad habits, breed, temperament, age and experience can all come into play.
To achieve crate training success, keep two important facts in mind at all
times. First, always associate the crate with something positive that makes your puppy happy. Second, ensure that training includes small,
slow steps. Don't rush or expect the world from your puppy overnight. Potty training will come if you're patient and consistent.
How to Crate Train Your Puppy
The first step towards successful
crate training is to introduce your new puppy to the crate. Put it in
an area where you spend a lot of time, like the kitchen or family
room. Then, place something nice inside it, like a soft blanket or
pillow that your puppy will like.
Puppies are curious by nature, and if left to explore, yours will
likely wander inside the crate. He
or she might even decide it's a good place for a rest! If your
puppy isn't naturally so keen, you can entice him or her to it with a
happy voice and a few treats. Make sure that the door is held
open so it won't shut, trapping your puppy inside and causing
fear.
If your puppy doesn't want to go in the crate during this phase, don't force it. Allow more exploration and he or she might get used to the idea.
Continue offering treats inside the crate until your puppy wants to enter. This might take five minutes, or it might take a week, depending on your
puppy's personality.
Once your puppy is used to the idea of the crate being there, you might
want to try feeding inside it. This will help your puppy associate the crate with something nice. You might need to place the dish half way inside,
until your timid puppy feels brave enough to go further inside. Or, you may find you have a bold puppy who's happy to saunter all the way in to
the back of the crate for his or her food dish.
Once your puppy is happy to be inside the crate for a few feedings, start
gently closing the door while he or she is eating. As soon as the meal finishes the first few times, open the door right away. Each time your dog
enters the crate to eat, try leaving the door closed a minute or two longer.
Beware, though, of increasing the time your dog is locked in the crate too
quickly. Too much, too soon can result in whining, crying and anxiety. If your puppy does begin to fuss
and whine in the crate, don't offer any attention until the noise
stops. Then, let your puppy out. This will teach him or her that
whining for attention isn't appropriate behavior and won't
be rewarded by the opening of
the crate.
After your dog can eat meals regularly inside the crate with no
fear, anxiety or fussing, you can move on to start confining for
short periods of time while you're at home. First, call your puppy
over to the crate and offer him or her a treat. Then, give a
command to enter, like "kennel," while pointing into the crate.
Once your puppy is inside, offer praise, a small treat, and shut the crate
door. Sit quietly with your puppy for a few minutes then leave the room
for a few minutes. Next, come back in the room for a few more minutes before opening the crate.
Eventually, you will get to the point where your puppy can be left for up
to half an hour in the crate with no fuss or anxiety. From there, you can move on to training him or her to sleep there at night and use the crate
when you're out of the house—though this process is likely to take a few weeks.
Once you're at the point where your puppy can be left for at least half an
hour with no fuss or eliminating in the crate, you can start using it regularly with the command and treat when you're going out of the
house. Include a few safe toys that your puppy can play with alone, with no supervision.
You should also make sure you vary the timing in which you crate your
dog, or else he or she will learn to detect the signs that you're leaving. This can cause tremendous anxiety.
Don't go in for long goodbyes when it's time to use the crate and go out.
A brief bit of praise can go a long way; emotional goodbyes can increase your dog's anxiety and make potty training using a crate more difficult.
Leave quietly.
Likewise, when you get home don't rush to greet your dog with big fusses and treats. Coming and going should always be low key, or else your dog
can develop separation anxiety and begin doing its business in the wrong place. You should also continue to crate train your puppy here and there
while you're home. This will prevent him or her from associating the crate solely with you going out.
How to Crate Train Your Dog at Night
Crate training at night is also a great way to remove the temptation to eliminate in an inappropriate area. As usual, have your puppy enter the
crate with the same command and treat. If your puppy is very small, you might want to start out with the crate in your bedroom or the hall outside
your door. This will let you hear if there are legitimate noises indicating the need to eliminate. Those whines to be let out to do his or her business
should be met with minimal fuss and an immediate trip outside. Afterwards, a small amount of praise should be offered before your puppy
is returned to the crate for the remainder of the evening. Remember, don't make a big fuss or your puppy will start to associate midnight jaunts
outside for a wee with having fun.
Crate training an older dog can also be handled in a rather similar way. In
these instances, the crate should still be placed inside or near your room. Doing so will reduce any feelings of social anxiety or isolation.
Crate Training Issues to be Aware of
Once your dog is sleeping comfortably through the night with his crate near you, you can begin to gradually move it to the location you prefer,
although time spent with your dog—even sleep time—is a chance to
strengthen the bond between you and your pet.
Potential Crate Training Problems
The whining puppy, who makes noise in the night, can present a real challenge. Is he or she whining to get out of the crate, or because of a
need to eliminate? If you've been sticking to the crate training techniques above, your dog shouldn't be making noise to get a reward. If so, ignore
it. If you're just being tested, you'll find it'll stop soon.
Whatever you do, don't take the opportunity to yell at your puppy or make noise in an effort to bring the whining to a stop. Remember, even
negative attention can be seen as rewarding and encouraging.
If your puppy carries on whining after being ignored
for a few minutes, try responding with the word
or phrase you use when he or she needs to go outside.
If your puppy becomes excited, this is a legitimate
request. It's time to go out right away!
Take crate training gradually and you'll be less
likely to encounter any issues of whining purely to
be let out of the crate. Remember, you can always
back up and try some of the steps again until your puppy is ready.
If your pup shows signs of separation anxiety, the crate is less likely to be
a good solution. The potential is there that he or she could self-injure in an attempt to escape. Through techniques like desensitization, separation
anxiety can be reduced. Then, crate training may begin.
DO: Be cautious and conscientious about crate training your dog, to ensure that it is conducted in an effective and humane manner. Choose
the appropriate size of crate for your dog to make potty training easier. Move slowly through the process of crate training and wait to proceed to
the next step only when your dog is comfortable with the last one. Be aware of the various issues that may occur with crate training and
conduct it appropriately to work through those. Help your dog to see the crate as a den and a refuge, not a threat or punishment.
DON'T: Be over-zealous with crate training and rush your puppy along into a stage they aren't ready for. Use your dog's crate to punish him or
her for unwanted behavior or potty training accidents. Use the crate as a method of dealing with separation anxiety as well as potty training. Lock
your dog in a crate immediately without going through the appropriate steps to crate train in a positive and effective manner. Leave your puppy
alone for hours on end initially when beginning with crate training.
What to Keep in Mind
By this point, you should be familiar with the top 10 steps towards potty
training your puppy, especially crate training and its many benefits. You may decide to employ a number of the steps, or just one or two. The
situation may differ depending on your puppy and your lifestyle.
Whatever steps you decide to utilize, there are a few important things
that every puppy owner should keep in mind while potty training. These
points may help you remain patient while your little dog is catching on.
7. Taking Mistakes in Your Stride
You should expect that your puppy will have accidents inside, especially in the early days after he or she has come home. This is a normal part of
house training. To work through this, try and catch your puppy in "the act" and make a noise that will be startling and interrupt, but not
frighten, him or her. Immediately take your puppy to its preferred spot to eliminate. When it finished up there, offer praise and a small treat.
Don't ever try and punish your puppy for having an accident inside. This
is ineffective and may even damage the training process. Shouting at your puppy, rubbing his or her nose in it or scolding will only result in
fear. It may even make your dog scared to ever go to the bathroom in front of you, which can make appropriate potty training extremely
difficult.
Always make sure you clean any "accident scenes" as well as you possibly
can. Remember what we covered earlier, about the health and damage risks associated with dogs doing their business indoors. What's more, if
your puppy can smell the places he or she has gone to the bathroom previously, it'll be enticing to go there again. Remember, your puppy's
sense of smell is exponentially more sensitive than yours!
Using some of the top ten tips we covered will help keep the number of accidents to a minimum—allowing them to happen too often will
seemingly give your pup permission to use the inside of your house as a toilet, and that can be very challenging to overcome.
8. Knowing How a Puppy’s Digestive Tract Works
When potty training your puppy, it's also worthwhile to have some basic knowledge of how their digestive tract works. Along with the insights into
bladder control, puppy diets and motility at each age, which we covered earlier, this can be valuable complementary information for training time.
Puppies have highly efficient digestive systems. They can break down
food within five to 30 minutes of eating, resulting in your puppy requiring
that important trip outside to do his or her business. It really is that
quick! The expedient nature of a puppy's digestion is why maintaining a schedule of feedings is so important. If you control when the food goes
into your puppy, you can better understand and estimate when bathroom breaks will be required.
9. What Role Your Energy Plays in House Breaking
Many dog owners don't realize that their own energy can play a big part
in the process of potty training their puppies. Yes, the vibes you give off can affect your new dog!
If you're constantly nervous
about accidents indoors, want to rush your puppy through
the steps of training—especially crate training—or
even hurry your dog to do its business as quickly as
possible outside, all can have
a negative effect on your puppy's ability to go to the
bathroom appropriately. This can potentially be very
stressful and confusing to your dog.
Encouraging your puppy
repeatedly to "go potty," especially in a pleading or threatening tone of voice, is also ineffective
and even distracting to your new dog. He or she simply won't understand just what all the fuss and noise is about.
While it's imperative to let your dog outside to do its business at night
without the fuss that can encourage him or her to see three o'clock in the
morning as fun time, keeping talk to a minimum during the day is valuable as well.
Repeated instructions and encouragements will only distract and confuse
a puppy who's learning to be potty trained, so respond with your chosen words and take your dog to the backyard immediately, but don't have a
conversation.
10. When to Expect Results
Many people are anxious to know when they can expect their dog to be
housebroken and consistently waiting until that crate door is opened and
they're taken outside to do their business. Nervous about ongoing
accidents indoors, they're keen to understand when the training will kick in.
The truth is, there is no exact answer as to when your puppy will be officially "potty trained." Some pups catch on very quickly, others require
weeks of effort. A slightly older dog who has already picked up a few bad habits may take even longer, though it's not impossible to successfully re-
train and have your dog eliminating according to your wishes.
Of course, the more consistent you are with your house breaking efforts, the faster your new dog is likely to pick up on what's the expected
behavior. It's worth noting that smaller breeds of dogs can occasionally take even longer to completely potty train, but that definitely doesn't
mean it can't be done.
If you approach it in the right way, house breaking your puppy shouldn't
be a tornado of stress and anxiety, leaving a mess in its wake. Rather, it'll just be a few weeks of attentive work to get him or her on a schedule and
familiar with a crate and a routine.
By sticking to the routine and maintaining a positive and patient manner, you are more likely to see results sooner and be well on your way to
resting sound in the knowledge that you have a well potty trained puppy.
11. A Few Words on Potty Training Older Dogs
Usually, when we think about house breaking a
dog, we automatically consider a fluffy little
puppy who gets into mischief all day and
can't help but have a few accidents. This is a
baby who has yet to
learn, not an older dog who was never taught.
Unfortunately, things aren't always that
simple.
Unfortunately, many older dogs haven't been potty trained correctly from the start, and they are typically rescue dogs that need a little extra love
and attention. If you have opened your heart to a rescue dog, you'll surely know that patience and kindness are key to the success of your
relationship with one another.
Furthermore, the techniques and rules for teaching potty training to an
older dog may be a bit different than with a little puppy. Don't fall victim to that familiar adage that old dogs can't learn new tricks. It isn't true,
and with a little patience and perseverance, your rescue dog can be potty trained just like a young puppy.
Before you start potty training an older dog, if he or she is having
accidents in your house it's important to check into a couple of things. A visit to your vet will be in order to check whether those accidents are due
to a medical issue your dog has trouble controlling at present, a behavioral issue or just a simple lack of appropriate training.
Once you have a better understanding of why your older dog is having
accidents indoors, you can take action depending on the circumstances. Those who read my last book on training dogs to stop barking will
remember that different dogs typically require different approaches.
There is rarely a ‘one size fits all’ method, and that's especially true when
you adopt an older dog. Because you don't know how they've been treated or trained in the past, it's hard to know initially what will work like
a charm.
If your vet believes your dog's accidents are as a result of a medical issue, he or she can work with you to address that specific situation with
medication or another approach. If it's more likely that your dog has a behavioral issue, you may choose to work one on one with a dog behavior
expert to develop a plan unique to your dog.
However, if you think the accidents are due to a simple lack of training throughout your dog's life, there is more you can do on your own to help
your adult dog understand your potty training expectations.
First, just as with a puppy, use a feeding schedule. While an older dog will have a slower digestive system, this will still help you know when to
expect a trip outside to the potty spot. Exercising with your dog and spending time outdoors together can also help with motility in this regard.
Because you'll be working with a consistent feeding schedule, you can
back that up with scheduled elimination time outdoors. Make sure they
occur multiple times throughout the day, and offer ample opportunity for your dog to sniff around and do its business.
When you take your dog out, you can also use a specific spot and go
there repeatedly, just like with a puppy. A familiar, consistent elimination spot will encourage your dog to continue doing its business there, as it
will recognize its own scent.
Just as with a little puppy, make sure that you always reward your dog
for behaving well, asking to go out to the bathroom or using an appropriate spot to do so. Treats, praise, affection or attention can all
encourage your older dog to keep the great behavior up.
Should you ever catch your dog in the act of eliminating inside, make an effort to startle him or her. This should interrupt it, but it should not be
intended to strike fear in your dog. If you can startle your dog and interrupt the bad bathroom
behavior, you can whisk him or her outdoors to finish the
task using the appropriate place. Make sure that you
praise and reward your dog afterwards if he or she does
finish the job in the right spot.
Remember that yelling, scare
tactics and anger are rarely, if ever, effective and will only
motivate your dog to act out of fear rather than a desire to
abide by the rules and please you.
This can be especially damaging if you've adopted a rescue dog that may
not have received the best of treatment in the past. Instead of seeing you as a trustworthy pack leader who should be respected and listened to,
your dog will act out of fear and anxiety, making the likelihood of catching on to appropriate potty training techniques much less.
In training an older dog where to go to the bathroom, you can also try the
suggested method for a puppy where you observe him or her very closely. This may require keeping the dog on a leash, even indoors
initially. It will help you to recognize behavior and understand your dog's signals about when a trip outside is required.
Know that some dogs naturally give clear signals when they need to
eliminate, while others give no indication. Those who don't give you any
warning might have learned not to do so as a coping strategy earlier in life. In order to reduce accidents and be on hand to immediately reward
good behavior, the leash or the crate can be used. Even an older dog who hasn't been taught the right potty skills in the past is unlikely to eliminate
in his or her own crate.
Should your adult dog have an accident indoors, make sure you are extremely thorough in cleaning up the mess. Getting rid of the stain and
smell is for more than just the cleanliness and maintenance of your home.
It will also reduce the possibility that your dog will smell their previous
accident and think it's acceptable to go in the house again.
12. A Reminder that Consistency is Key
It may sound highly repetitive, but consistently is absolutely essential when it comes to potty training any dog, young or old. Having a clear set
of expectations, actions and behaviors and reacting the same way time after time will be incredibly useful to your dog, no matter their age.
Being consistent helps
prevent your dog from
feeling confused; it helps ensure he or she can begin
to recognize what the expectations are regarding
being let out to the bathroom. It even lets your
dog know when to expect food, make use of the crate
and so forth.
Consistency breeds trust in your dog and positions you
as the pack leader. It will help your puppy or older dog
have confidence in you and
see you as being trustworthy and worth listening to.
While this may sound like a broken record, the value of consistency really can't be overestimated. It is the single most important behavior when it
comes to potty training your fuzzy friend.
13. Conclusion
At this point, hopefully you should be feeling well equipped to begin potty training your dog. Whether you're about to adopt a rescue dog or
welcome a new little puppy to your family, these top ten tips and
additional insights should help you reduce the potential for accidents in your home and encourage you and your dog to begin a habit of potty
training outside.
Remember to take each step slowly, deliberately and consistently. Be patient and positive. Take a step back if you need to and repeat steps
until your puppy gets it and is able to move on to the next stage of potty training.
Finally, keep in mind that potty training will not happen overnight. It may
take a few days, or more likely a few weeks, but with the right approach your dog will catch on and understand where it's appropriate go to the
bathroom and how to indicate to you that they need to do so.
To recap what we've learned, here are a few final points on potty training your puppy. These essential reminders are always worth keeping in mind:
Remember that punishing your dog—old or young—for having an
accident indoors is wrong and ineffective. It will not teach your dog what is appropriate potty behavior and will cause him or her to
react out of a sense of fear. It can even result in more accidents.
If you catch your dog in the midst of an accident, startle him or her in
an effort to interrupt the behavior. This should not be done to scare
your dog, but to stop the act so you can take him or her quickly outside
to finish up in a more appropriate place.
Whenever your dog finishes doing
his or her business appropriately,
make sure you're on hand immediately to reward him or her
with praise and a treat. This must be done immediately so it's
associated with the act of going to the bathroom outside.
If you didn't catch your dog in the act of having an accident indoors,
but discover the results later, it is too late to do anything about it. Don't shout at your dog, rub his or her nose in it or otherwise
attempt to call attention to the "accident scene." What's done is done as far as your fog is concerned, and he or she will not
understand what the fuss is about. Accordingly, any action in this regard won't be effective.
Make sure you spend quality time outside with your dog, and pay attention to when and where he or she does its business outdoors.
Don't rush your puppy to go to the bathroom outside in a hurry, as extra time might be beneficial to explore and find the right spot to
eliminate.
Clean any indoor accidents as thoroughly as possible with an enzymatic cleaner that can thoroughly eliminate traces and smells.
This is about more than just having a tidy home. If you can remove
the reminder that your dog eliminated where he or she shouldn't
have, it will be less likely to happen again.
Finally, have a positive, patient and consistent approach to potty training your dog. Clear expectations and consistent behavior will
instill confidence in your dog and make the potty training process easier.
By following these steps, I believe you will find potty training to be a less
stressful and more rewarding process for you and your dog. Take your time and you'll discover how easy potty training really can be.
Copyright © 2016 by Richard Livitski
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