After housebreaking many, many foster dogs and quite a few of my own, here is a simple formula to help
housebreak your pooch.
The younger the dog, the more frequent they will need to go out. If you want to be successful, do not free-feed (or leave food out 24/7) to establish a routine.
Let’s Get started….
Try keeping the new pet around while you do chores, make phone calls , pay bills etc. Next, have a designated area for your pet to sleep like a crate or an area in a room. Give your pet his/her own food & water dish and their very own bed. You need not buy one right away . Make one out of an old pillow and sheets in a shallow cardboard box. You can later buy a nice doggie bed . Use your money to buy SAFE toys such as nylon bones.
Remember, no rawhide because it sometimes swells and can rupture the intestines as will chicken bones .Go to a pet store and ask for the safest toys for your type and size of pet. Keep a ticking clock or soft playing radio in his sleep area if your pet tends to whimper.
1st things first: Set a schedule to take your dog outside to potty. Like the one here:
- in the morning upon waking.
- After every meal ( for puppies 3-4 small meals a day, for older dogs twice daily is recommended)
- After nap-time or if sniffing around
- After long play periods or excitement.
- Last thing at night
By the time your puppy is about 3 months old , he should be able to go the night without having to relieve himself until morning. However, just like humans sometimes they can get infections that cause frequent urination or defecation. If it continues to be a problem call your veterinarian
Next, take the pet outside to relieve themselves. As soon as they do you say
goood dooooog in a
very sweet voice and really fuss over them.
Even if your yard is fenced take them out on a leash , praise them. Establish a key word for the potty business such as “hurry up”. This will help on those mornings when your puppy gets distracted.
Even if you have adopted an older dog ,remember for a few weeks accidents may happen because they need to be trained just like you would be trained at a new job where everything is and how it all works. Be patient. Dogs want to please you so remember the
sweet voice.
If or when your pet tries to potty in the house, quickly whisk them up and take them outside to finish,( even if they already have.)
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER HIT YOUR PET FOR ANY REASON or rub their noses in it . They will only resent and distrust you.
Always clean the area with a pet odor remover to remove the temptation to return.
Be Patient and remember it gets better every week and before you know it they have got it !
The most helpful thing to me has been a solid routine. Dogs like the security of a routine but will also learn to hold it if they know what the “routine” is exactly. Also try adding some wheat straw to the area you want them to go, it provides a special scent and gives you a visual.
Here is a sample of my personal dogs routine: Remember they are adult dogs, puppies have tiny bladders and need to go more often ( see schedule above)
- 6:15AM -Take dogs go out to relieve themselves
- 6:20 AM -Make and drink my coffee (Is it really morning?)
- 6:30AM- Feed the dogs their breakfast and take them out to take care of #2 if needed
- 6:45AM - Off to work while precious pooches go back to bed or play in the yard (Lucky dogs!!)
- 5:00 PM- Home Again (Yeah!) take dogs go out to relieve themselves
- 6:30PM -Feed the dogs their dinner and take them out to take care of #2 if needed
- 8:00PM- After OUR dinner, we all go out for a family walk, if raining we play a game in the house.
- 8:30-10:30 PM- Snuggle time with our pooches in front of the TV or extra play time in our fenced in yard.
- 10:30PM Off to bed- Out for a potty break one more time!
Recommended reading:
- How to housebreak your dog in 7 days by Kalstone (VERY GOOD)
- YOUR Out of control Puppy by Teoti Anderson
Recommended websites:
