How to make house training a dog easy!

FurryTips is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

House training a dog or is sometimes referred as potty training can be relatively easy if you follow these tips. The process is not as difficult as it sounds, but it can be time consuming, takes commitment, perseverance and tenacity. You are the only one who knows if your puppy is ready to be trained or needs more training.

Some puppies are able to understand the procedure from such an early age. However, some unfortunately can take longer to grasp the idea.

Grasping house training a dog

Regrettably, some adult dogs regress in what they’ve been taught, so we have to teach our pets the whole procedure again. Yes, it can be frustrating and exhausting house training a dog, but it must be done otherwise you’ll never be able to take your dog to your friend’s house, etc.

Some humans envision house training a dog as sheer hassle; however, others see the procedure as a perfect challenge. Whatever you have to do for your dog remember to be cool and calm – positive energy is a must!

How to house training a dog fit for polite company:

  • Learn the signs when your dog needs to urinate or excrete and always have a leash handy when training.
  • If you’re the owner of a puppy, keep in mind that they need to eliminate frequenting, preferably upon rising in the morning, after napping, after playtime, before and after meals, before and after being crate trained, and finally before bedtime. Take their water away at 7.30 to 8 pm to avoid any night mess.
  • A puppy is usually able to control their bowels and bladder around four to five months old. At this stage, they eat and drink more than adults so they will require the backyard more frequently.
  • If you’re the owner of an adult dog, follow the procedure above. As a general guide every two to three hours is suffice. As adult dogs become more proficient, they can usually hold their bowels and bladder for at least four hours or longer.
  • Take your dog to the same place every time he needs to eliminate, pick a spot in your backyard. When he eliminates in the designated spot, praise him or give your dog treats. Your dog will relate the reward as pleasing and will therefore want to do it again in the same area. Never get upset if your dog or puppy forgets; with patience your dog will eventually understand.
  • When house training a dog, it is possible to use signals once your dog understands the above. Bells are excellent for this method, hang one on your door that leads to the backyard, make sure the poochie bell is at his level. Teach your dog to push it with his nose or paw when he needs to go to the bathroom.
  • Never let your dog roam the house until he is fully potty trained.
  • Buy a crate, it is never too late to crate train a dog. Dogs do not soil their crate so when they want to go to the bathroom their whine will be different to ‘I want my own way’ crying.
  • If you live in an apartment without a garden, litter train your dog as you would a cat. You can follow the same principle as above by using a designate area in your home. Some owners buy a pup grass patch or dog training pads for indoors, these are a perfect solution to house train a dog that’s confined to the indoors.
  • When house training a dog use positive reinforcement training techniques, never negative. Should your dog begin eliminating in the house, calmly say ‘NO’. Take your dog straight to the backyard without fussing to show him his toilet area.
  • If you’re leaving your house for two to fours, you may find you’ll come back to a soiled house. Never fuss your dog, clean it up and move on and forget it happened.
  • If you have an adult dog and the house training isn’t working, contact your vet as there could be an underlying health issue.
  • Many dogs try marking their territory in the house, especially if you buy another dog. If you catch them in the act, say ‘NO’ firmly and calmly. Clean up the mess and spray a deodorizer or neat vinegar over the area to mask the urine smell.

Leave a Comment

0 Shares
Pin
Share
Tweet