Housetraining

Before embarking on a housetraining program, visit the veterinarian first to be sure that your pup or dog is healthy and worm-free. Take a fresh stool sample to the appointment with you. Be sure your pet's anal glands are not impacted or inflamed. If your dog is urinating in the house, have a urinalysis and urine culture done to help be sure there is not a medical reason for urinating in the house.

Feed your dog in the house at least twice per day with equal amounts of food at regular, scheduled times. Feed enough to produce firm, formed stools. If stools are loose or soft, decrease the overall volume of food by 10%. You should be able to pick up stools with a tissue without leaving any residue. If stools contain mucous, or blood, contact your veterinarian. Your dog should be having the same number of stools per day as feedings per day.

Avoid free-feeding or leaving food down for your dog to nibble throughout the day. Give him 10 to 15 minutes to eat, and then pick up any uneaten portion. Avoid giving tidbits between meals until your dog is completely housetrained. It is difficult to regulate when the dog must go out if he is constantly getting food. When your dog is on the right schedule for him, he will eliminate just a few minutes after his meal.

Be sure to establish one potty area. Take your dog or puppy to the designated potty area first thing in the morning, and after each feeding. He needs to learn to get himself to the door. Do not carry your puppy outside, because if you carry him outdoors he will give you the responsibility of knowing when he needs to go outside and your housetraining efforts will fail. Puppies should also go out after drinking, after playtime, after napping, after intensive chewing sessions, and after any excitement. Go out with your dog. If you just put him outside, he will not learn what to do outside and may come inside to eliminate. Stand quietly with him in the area in which you wish him to eliminate. Praise him while he is eliminating. Praise the stool or urine after he is finished. Keep toilet times and play times separate. As your pup matures and learns to control his bladder and bowels, you can increase the time between toilet trips. Young puppies from 6 to 12 weeks of age must be taken out every 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon their activity level. Avoid paper training, as it only confuses the dog and teaches him that he can soil in the house.

Your dog should sleep in your bedroom at night on a blanket on the floor next to your bed. This will quickly teach him to regulate his toilet and sleeping patterns to yours instead of his own. Always be sure the dog has urinated and defecated prior to bedtime and prior to being left alone.

If your puppy does have an accident, you must AVOID scolding or rubbing his nose in it. Such punishments will only serve to create a secretive house soiler or worse, a stool eater or urine drinker. Instead, say YUCK, OUTSIDE at the house soil (urine or stool) and escort the puppy outside to his toilet area. Clean up accidents out of view of your dog. Do not let your dog see you when you clean up the accidents. Blot the spot with a towel, and then spray the spot with AIP (Anti Icky Poo) to eliminate the scent. If he sees you clean the mess, he will have an urge to refresh the spot. If your dog is sniffing around and you are fearful he will eliminate and it is not at a regular toilet time, call him to you, ask him to sit, and then take him outside to his toilet area. Do not wait to see what will happen. By doing this with your puppy, you are taking the leadership role and guiding him into good habits.

Consider training your dog to use a communication bell which he will bump with his nose. Place the door near the door that leads outside to his designated potty area. Teach him to use the communication bell by encouraging him to bump it with his nose just prior to going out with you. Praise him instantly for hitting the bell, then let him out and praise him after he completes his duty. Use the bell only for toilet times, not play times.

Be optimistic and good natured throughout housetraining. If you scold or become aggressive with the puppy you will only serve to decrease his ability to learn and create fear in your dog. If at any time you are having problems, please contact our office immediately.

S. Hall 1994