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| House Training Tips
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 | Most problems with dogs that are not housebroken are owner induced problems. |
| Most dogs can be trained in 2-3 weeks with the "Direct Training Method" listed below. |
If this training method is followed with a fair and firm attitude by the owner, the training will be short and you will soon have a happy and trained dog.
The three main elements of this method are:
| # 1 - CONTAINMENT |
| # 2 - PRAISE |
| # 3 - COMMITMENT |
It is not cruel to contain a dog while house training him/her. As long as it is not done excessively.
Using the crate for overnight or when you are too busy to watch 100% over your
Boston, will help you all during the training phase.
Letting the dog have the run of the house is the most common reason why dogs go
untrained for long periods of time.
| CONTAINMENT |
Keep the dog crated/kenneled while in the house until trained.
During this period he/she should not be allowed free run of the house - keep confined to a very small area.
This will
make it difficult for the pup to make mistakes as dogs are very reluctant to soil their den area.
Keep your puppy as clean as possible.
| PRAISE |
Praise the puppy every time he eliminates where you want him to go.
Pick one spot where he / she prefers to go and return to it on each visit
outside.
| COMMITMENT |
Allow for scheduled outdoor trips not more than 3 hours apart regardless of the weather and without fail the first week.
During this period he/she should not be allowed free run of the house - keep confined to a very small area.
This will
make it difficult for the pup to make mistakes as dogs are very reluctant to soil their den area.
| FOOD |
Feed your pet according to your veterinarian's instructions.
During training, keep the dog on a regular food schedule with the same diet. This will make the dog somewhat regular in it's elimination habits and will make it easier to predict when a walk is needed.
It is easier to predict elimination if food is picked up 15-20 minutes after it is offered.
It is important to feed the dog the right amount of food.
Start with the recommended amount on the package. If the dog's stools are loose, cut the ration in 10% increments until it is firm again. If the stool is too dry, increase the ration in 10% increments until it is firm and moist. Do not change the diet without consulting your veterinarian especially during training.
| WATER |
Take away all water sources 1 1/2 - 2 hours before bedtime to avoid mistakes overnight.
| WALKS |
The puppy should be taken outside to eliminate:
1. First thing in the morning as soon as you wake
2. 10-15
minutes after eating for young puppies, 1/2-1 hour for older pups
3.
After the pup has water
4. After an episode of extreme
excitement
5. After he/she wakes from a nap
6. Whenever you see
him/her sniffing the floor and/or squatting.
| CLEAN UP |
Use a 50/50 solution of Luke warm water and white vinegar to clean up any accidents.
Never let the dog see you clean up his/her messes!
| THE MAIN REASONS FOR FAILURE IN HOUSE TRAINING ARE: |
Lack of commitment or understanding of the house training methods by the owner
including the inability to take the dog out at frequent intervals - families where both adults work.
Lack of containment - the dog is allowed full run of the house so that he/she is seldom caught in the act of voiding in an inappropriate place. Correction only works at the time of the incident and lack of
proper corrections lets the dog believe that is it okay to eliminate in the house.
Lack of praise - no one is present when the dog eliminates in the right place to reinforce the appropriate behavior.
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