The Fundamentals of Potty Training DogsEvery lover of canines will tell you that potty training dogs are one of the most trying times in your relationship. Constant accidents and lovely leavings on the bedroom floor are enough to drive you out of your mind. A common mistake that dog lovers make is not discovering the issues behind the problem. At times, it is a lack of knowledge; however, there are times when the problem is behavioral or even medical. Therefore, the first step must be determining what type of problem you are dealing with. Puppies Cute, fuzzy, and all adorable everyone wants a puppy when they see one. Then they get them home and find that this cute little fella is really a handful. This is an example of an animal who simply does not know what he is supposed to do. For his whole life up to this moment his mother has cared for this particular need, so he is totally confused. Potty training dogs is done ideally when they are eight weeks old. This is when they have first been weaned and are very teachable. It is also the time that will demand some patience from you. You can expect around two months of accidents as he learns what you want and where you want it. Some tips to potty train a dog of this age are: • Decide on an acceptable potty area, inside or out is up to you, however remember if you are going to be gone a lot that inside is more feasible. • Keep your puppy close to you at all times, a leash can be helpful in this. • Watch for signs that he needs to “go” and take him to the approved area • It is a good idea to take your dog out to potty about 15 minutes after he eats or drinks • Clean up any accidents with strong cleaners, when a dog smells earlier leavings this tells them that this must be the potty area • Take your puppy out or to the potty area first thing every morning and last thing before bed. Older Dogs If you have recently acquired an older dog, you may have a more difficult task on your hands. With grown animals, they fall into one of three categories and the strategies will vary slightly. 1) Never learned - Some dogs have never been potty trained, shelter dogs many times have been homeless for an extended period. With this type of dog, potty training becomes a teaching issue and a trust issue. Take your time with this kind of dog; apply the above strategies along with extra care and attention. 2) Aging/Illness - Dogs are like us in that as they age some things do not work as they used to. Of you notice your once trained pet is now having a large number of accidents it may be time for a trip to the vet. You would not want to punish him for something he cannot help. If you have adopted an aged dog, a trip to the vet should be first on the list anyway. 3) Marking Territory - This is a problem most associated with male dogs, especially if you also have a female. This is less of a potty training issue than a behavioral one. Males mark their territory for many reasons, such as breeding and warning. The first step is to have your dog neutered, and then walk him through potty training for dogs adding a tree to your walk or something similar so he can mark outside the house! |