Housetraining Dogs
Everyone has an opinion regarding housebreaking or "housetraining", as the action is properly termed today. There are probably as many housetraining techniques as there are dog trainers. It is unfortunate that very few of these techniques consistently produce a pet that is totally housetrained. Since no one wants to live with an animal that urinates or defecates in the wrong areas, housetraining is critical to the success of a pet-owner bond. Owners need to be able to housetrain their pet as rapidly as possible, and to find a method that works for young and old animals.
All dogs require housetraining. The bottom line is that owners of puppies and new dogs need a reliable, consistent plan to help their pet understand that it is inappropriate to urinate and defecate in the house, and appropriate to perform these actions in specified places outside the house. Before discussing methods that work, it is crucial to look at those that do not. The biggest mistake that owners make is to punish a dog that inappropriately eliminates in the house. Rubbing the dog's nose in its waste, yelling, hitting, swinging newspapers, and dragging a dog outside after an accident do not teach the dog the proper behavior. They merely frighten the dog. At best, these techniques do not work. At worst, they help create a dog that is terrified of its owner, the outdoors, and the house, and that may even reflexively squat and urinate when the owner is near. So punishment is pointless. It is totally counterproductive if the dog eliminates in the house and the 'accident' is found later. No matter what an owner thinks and no matter how nervous the dog looks, the dog has no idea why it is being punished and is merely reacting in a nervous manner to an angry owner.
The second mistake involves using paper to housetrain a puppy and assuming that this will somehow train the dog to relieve itself outdoors. Dogs that are paper trained may learn simply to eliminate on any flat surface in the house. They may miss the paper and eliminate on the floor or rugs. Others learn to use the paper, but must then be re-taught, from the beginning, how to eliminate outdoors. As a matter of fact, it can actually be more difficult to train a paper-trained dog to switch to the outdoors because the pet is used to eliminating inside the house. Finally, the use of paper as a 'bathroom' should never be a replacement for daily walks and exercise, no matter how small the dog or how cold the day.
The last mistake is to assume that a dog will hold its urine or feces if the dog is left in a crate. While it is true that confinement in a small area may encourage a dog to wait to eliminate, the technique is flawed if used incorrectly. Many small dogs and young dogs simply do not have adequate sphincter control to hold their urine for hours. Left in a crate, they will urinate, will sit in their urine, and will not learn house training. Young dogs should not be left alone in a crate for more than a few hours. They should not be left for an entire work day, and they should be visited, let out the crate, and allowed to relieve themselves during the day. This will help the dog learn the proper place to eliminate far more rapidly than being left by itself in the crate all day. It may require that a house sitter visit for a few weeks or months, but it is the fastest and most humane way to train a puppy.
It is also a mistake to think that a puppy left in a crate overnight will somehow ignore the urge to eliminate if it wakes up. To properly housetrain a young dog, those pleas for a bathroom break must be heeded, even if it is the middle of the night. Simply get the dog outside, tell it this was a job well done, and put in back into its crate or bed for the night. Do not play with the dog or turn the event into an all night romp. If only allowed to relieve itself and then immediately put back to bed, the dog will eventually sleep through the night and this behavior will cease.
With all the mistakes people make, is it possible to correctly and rapidly house train a dog? It certainly is! The key is to take an active, consistent, and positive role in housetraining the dog. Do not wait for the dog to announce its need or have an accident and do not put the dog outside by itself, close the door, and assume it relieves itself. Instead, arrange the environment and schedule to help avoid accidents, be present to use positive rewards and encouragement, and make sure to take the dog outside many, many times each day. Go outside with the dog, wait for the dog to eliminate, and reward the proper behavior with praise every time it happens. Consistently show the dog where to go, make sure the dog gets there when it needs to, and congratulate it for a job well done. With this simple formula, most dogs will be housetrained in a matter of weeks.
The positive reinforcement method requires the owner to monitor the dog at all times in order to avoid accidents. This is especially important with puppies and older dogs that do not understand exactly what is expected of them. If necessary, the animal can be tied with a long leash around the owner's waist, so that it is not out of sight. Puppies should be taken outside within moments of waking from a nap or eating, and before and after play sessions. This means that a very young puppy may literally have to be brought outside to the proper place, with its owner, ten or twelve times per day.. The puppy can be walked on a leash or carried to the appropriate place. Walking and playing may actually stimulate the dog to urinate or defecate. Once the dog starts to eliminate, stop walking or playing, and praise the dog in a happy, but quiet tone. Too exuberant a response may interrupt the dog. Keep up the praise until the puppy is done. One may choose to use a code word at this time, so that the dog learns to associate the word with the action and will eventually be able to comply when asked to eliminate.
The number of daily trips taken outdoors will diminish as the dog ages. The eight week old puppy that goes out every hour on the hour rapidly grows to the six month old dog that goes out five or six times per day, and all too soon becomes an adult dog that is satisfied with three or four bathroom breaks each day. An older dog that is not housetrained or one that needs a refresher course may need several trips out each day until a pattern can be created or identified. Then the dog can be taken out at age-appropriate intervals. Older dogs are housetrained using the same positive reinforcement techniques as puppies.
By keeping a close eye on the dog and frequently taking the dog to the pre-selected elimination site, the dog will rapidly learn which behaviors are expected of it. By taking the dog out after each meal and each nap, preferably more often than required, housetraining can be accomplished with a minimum of accidents. Unfortunately, no owner is perfect and a few accidents are to be expected.
Accidents will occur if the owner is preoccupied, loses track of the dog, or is too busy to get outdoors. These accidents should be cleaned up without a fuss. After all, they are really the fault of the owner, not the dog. The owner may be allowing the puppy the run of the house, forgetting to get the dog outside after each nap, or missing cues from the dog that a trip outside is needed. Owners that yell and belittle a dog end up with a dog that is frightened of the owner and still unsure just exactly where to eliminate. One well-known trainer has suggested that every time a dog urinates in the house, the owner should roll up a newspaper and whack him or herself in the head. The comment was made in jest, but the point was well-made that the owner is responsible for a dog's behaviors. So the accident should be cleaned thoroughly with an appropriate enzymatic cleaner and the positive housetraining effort resumed. This allows an owner to avoid inappropriate punishment, bond with a new or young dog, and rapidly have a dog that is housetrained.
A properly housetrained dog knows where to relieve itself and where not to. This is not an innate behavior, but one that must be taught properly by an owner. The use of positive reinforcement and an active approach to teaching the pet will rapidly help the animal to learn. Once learned correctly, this behavior stays with most pets their entire lives, and makes everyone a little bit happier. It allows owner and pet to bond correctly, without worrying every second about accidents in the house.
Sincerely, Dr. Jane Leon
*Re-printed for educational purposes only
In the beginning…
Awwwwww…our new, little, furry, Bichon bundle of joy had just arrived at our home and as my husband and I gently placed him down on the fleecy blue blanket we had so lovingly picked out for him, we looked at him sitting there, gazing up at us and all three of us seemed to have the same question in our eyes: Now what???
It seemed like forever that we had been anxiously awaiting our little Oliver’s arrival, carefully and painstakingly reading any dog-training books we could get our hands on, shopping for endless hours in pet supply stores choosing toys with just the right amount of “squeakiness”, and scouring the city for the most nutritious and organic dog food. Not to mention, writing endless emails full of question after question to the most patient breeder we could have asked for! Now that we had this little one in front of us, despite our careful research, nothing could have prepared us for how much we would instantly love him. Yes, some may say “he’s just a dog”, but for us, a newlywed couple, he was our “first born”. Since that day we brought him home, our little Oliver has literally changed our lives and we have become a happy family of three.
All of this mushy, lovey-dovey stuff may give the impression that getting a puppy is all wine and roses, but that is not the case! Although puppies arrive all cuddly, warm and ready to be loved, they also come with endless amounts of energy, mischief and the infamous need to be housetrained. These things, among others, all add up to a lot of work, something many new dog owners do not realistically prepare for. Allow me to share some of the chronicles of Oliver’s housetraining, in hopes that they may suggest a few “pointers” for all of you new puppy-parents out there.
Getting started…
Which dog do I choose? How do you choose a breed when there are so many adorable puppies out there looking for love? It’s simple: research, research, research. We devoured dog breed books looking for the kind that would suit our lifestyle so that we would be able to give him the best life we could. We knew that big dogs require lots of room to roam and we felt that our suburban house and yard did not allow for those accommodations. So, small dog it was. My husband and I have always been fans of the little white powder puff that is the Bichon Frise, so after some research and contact with a few breeders, we decided that the Bichon fluffball would be perfect for us. We are both teachers, so we work regular hours and have predictable schedules in terms of holidays, etc. This is something to keep in mind when you are looking to housetrain your puppy: just how much time can you dedicate each day to developing your puppy’s routine?
Next, our best piece of advice is to find a reputable breeder. Unless you are adopting from an animal shelter, you should be able to see exactly where your pup is coming from and what kind of start to life he/she has had. We were so blessed to find a breeder in our area that takes her job and the health and wellbeing of her puppies to heart. Our little Oliver had a “picture perfect” upbringing in his first 12 weeks of life and it shows. He was cared for and loved from the start by a knowledgeable breeder who was willing to share her wealth of knowledge with us and give us many tips and thorough advice on all aspects of a puppy’s life. This is key when choosing a puppy because the better they start off, the better they will be when they make the transition to your home. A well-balanced puppy will make for an eager and intelligent learner when it comes to training.
Furthermore, having the right supplies handy before your puppy arrives was some good advice that was given to us. In fact, being over-prepared makes more sense in the long run, considering that it’s a precious little life that you are fostering and you’d never want your puppy to go without anything he may need. We were given a fantastic and very thorough list of things our puppy would need in order to make a smooth and comfortable transition into our home. The most important of these items in terms of housetraining included a crate, baby gate, and the all important “treat”.
Getting the Message Across…
Puppies are creatures of habit and because they learn by association, it is very important to be consistent in their training. I believe that Oliver’s success is based on this consistency. My experience as a teacher has taught me that children love routine as it makes them feel comfortable, safe and calm. Puppies are no different in that they benefit from a reliable schedule. If at all possible, try to arrange your puppy’s adoption on a break from work or at the very least, a weekend, allowing you the time to set up a predictable routine. It is also important to start this routine immediately. The longer the puppy has with total freedom from schedule, the harder it will be to correct any bad habits that may form.
In our experience and research we have found that most dog training books say the same thing: take advantage of the dog’s very natural instinct to keep his sleeping quarters clean. Because dogs are naturally pack animals, they instinctively enjoy the comfort of a den. Your dog may choose a closet, a spot under a table or some other covered area in the house, but in the beginning, we found that it is best to provide that safe little haven for the puppy. A dog crate is the perfect answer to this situation. If the dog crate is the right size (only big enough for him to stand up and turn around comfortably) he will not soil it. We tried associating the first few crate experiences with a little treat. We set up the crate with a soft blanket, a few squeaky toys and of course, a little doggie treat to make it extra special. It is important that the puppy see the crate as a safe place, not a punishment. In fact, Oliver will now often sit in the same room as us with his crate on the floor and choose to go in it while we are watching TV or eating dinner. It is his own very special place.
When we first started crate training, we stayed right by Oliver when he was in his crate, talking to him through the wire door. As time went on, we would walk away from the crate while still remaining in the room, then eventually leave the room altogether. This gradual process worked wonders in that he knew instinctively that we would not ever be too far away when he was in the crate. We knew, and he instinctively knew, that bathroom breaks were not an option while in the crate. When we let him out of his crate, we would immediately take him outside and encourage him to “do his jobs” (as we affectionately put it!). When he did, he received a whole lot of praise and a treat.
Throughout the day, when Oliver was not sleeping or playing in his crate, we would keep him confined to very specific areas of the house. Hence, the next very important tool: the baby gate. We would feed Oliver first thing in the morning and then play with him in the kitchen for a good half an hour. This required waking up a lot earlier in the morning in order to fit everything into a routine, but this small sacrifice was worth it. Once playtime was over, we would again take him outside to ‘do his jobs’ and when he did, he would receive another small treat. When it comes to treats, a little goes a long way. Oliver is just as thrilled with a quarter of a milkbone as he is with a whole. This way, he’s not over eating!
After Oliver goes outside for the second time each morning, it is nearing time for us to go to work. So, we then prepare his little area in the house to stay during the day. We have a fairly large back landing/laundry room with linoleum floor that we are able to gate off and still allow Oliver some space to roam during the day. In this area we leave his water dish, toys, a fuzzy blanket to sleep on, as well as his crate to go in and out of as he pleases. Now that Oliver has had many days to himself in the house, he sees this area as his own and enjoys spending time there. Also, it’s close to the door we come in which makes it easy for him to greet us excitedly as soon as we come home!
Our first step when we get home in the day is to take him directly outside to do his jobs. We were very lucky and pleased to find out that our little puppy was able to “hold it” during the day when we were at work. He did not have any messes while we were gone, largely due to the fact that the breeder kept him until he was a full 12 weeks old before his official adoption. Those few extra weeks at home with mom and the littermates make all the difference in a puppy’s development. Something to keep in mind when you’re adopting your own puppy…
After this, Oliver gets his supper and more play time. Again, he goes outside to do his jobs and then receives another treat afterwards. Keeping this routine consistent and never wavering made Oliver’s housetraining fairly easy. In the beginning, he was only allowed in very specific areas of the house and kept to his schedule: sound like rocket science? Not really. The fact is, what you read in the dog training books is right. Puppies are so eager to learn and please you that they catch on really quickly.
Schedule…
This is the schedule we used with Oliver every day in the beginning, even weekends. Now that he is housetrained, we have freedom to make a few changes here and there, but we find that he is happiest and most content when a typical day looks just like this.
6:30am – Wake up and take Oliver outside immediately. After he has done his job, feed him breakfast. (Feeding at very specific times of the day allows for a very predictable bathroom schedule).
7:00am – Play time! Oliver spends time with us in the kitchen while we have breakfast and go about our usual morning routine. We try to give him lots of love and attention during this time as it has to last him the whole day while we are at work!
7:30am – Take Oliver outside again and he does his jobs.
7:45am – We leave for work while Oliver stays in his special gated area. We leave water, toys, his open crate, and a fuzzy blanket to lounge on. We also leave a radio on to ‘keep him company’ during the day.
[11:30am – If at all possible, one of us will come home for lunch, but this is rare.]
3:30pm – One of us returns home from work to a very happy puppy! Oliver is usually very content and lounging in his crate when we walk in the door, but as soon as he hears us, he is jumping for joy! We are usually covered with puppy kisses! Oliver is taken outside right away to do his jobs.
3:45/4:00pm – Dinner time! Oliver is given his meal and a fresh bowl of water.
4:00pm – Play time! We try to spend a good half an hour playing with him and giving him lots of attention before we sit down to our own dinner. After play time, Oliver will usually stay in his crate or on his favourite mat on the kitchen floor while we eat.
Evening – Oliver is content just “hanging out” with us during the evening, going for a walk around the neighbourhood, or for a “car ride”.
9:30pm. – One more bathroom break before bedtime. After this, Oliver goes to bed in his crate where he stays until the morning and we start all over again!
Preventing Mistakes…
Have you ever heard the expression “there are no bad dogs, just inexperienced owners”? It’s true. While Oliver is our pride and joy, his housetraining experience was certainly not perfect, though not a fault to him. There will be times when he just gets so excited that he simply can’t “hold it”. Ever laugh so hard you think you have to go to the bathroom right now? It’s the same for dogs; they just want to continue playing so they think if they just drop and pee, maybe you won’t notice and keep on playing. They don’t want to miss out on any valuable play time!
Well, mistakes happen and it’s important for puppy parents to be aware of various conditions and activities that typically stimulate puppies to eliminate, including feeding, drinking, playing and waking up from naps. Learn to be aware of these activities and be alert that your puppy needs to go! Soon enough he will be able to tell you when it’s time to go outside because he will naturally go to what he knows. For example, when Oliver has to go, he will sit by the back door and just stare at us patiently. In fact, a couple of times we have found him sitting patiently next to a yellow puddle with that look in his eye like “I tried to tell you, but you weren’t quick enough”. That said, keep a close eye on your puppy at all times he’s out of his crate. Sounds exhausting, and it is, but well worth it. It’s difficult to watch the puppy at all times when you are at home, but in the early stages, it’s critical to proper housetraining.
Another very helpful piece of advice we learned from our breeder is that puppies will continuously return to the same spot to ‘do their jobs’. You’ll notice that one particular spot on the carpet seems to be a favourite with your puppy and that can be prevented. Any pet supply store will sell commercial products that claim to remove the odour of urine and feces and for the most part, they work! If at all possible, keep your puppy on linoleum or hardwood floor until he is completely housetrained as the carpet can very easily become a soft, comfy bathroom toilet. We kept Oliver off the carpet for a good two weeks before letting him explore the house as we didn’t want to take any chances.
It is important to teach your puppy where you want him to do his jobs. Whether it is in the yard or out on a walk, he will likely go in the same spot each time if you guide him along the way. To accomplish this, it’s very important to accompany your puppy outside every time he is outdoors. Choose a specific location with easy access. The area will soon become a familiar spot as the pup recognizes the odour from previous excursions. This odour is like a prompt and the puppy will use it! Once your puppy has done his jobs, praise, praise, praise! They love to feel like they have made you happy and a little treat sweetens the deal even more. Soon enough, your puppy will learn that the act of going outdoors is directly associated with bathroom activities and total training is well on the way!
Keeping Your Cool…
No puppy has ever been housetrained overnight. Be prepared for the inevitable mistake or two and chalk it up to a learning experience. Patience is critical when dealing with a young, impressionable puppy. Punishment, with children and puppies alike, is the least effective and most overused approach to discipline. A correction should be firm yet not harsh, a distraction yet not a fearful experience. A quick stomp of my foot or loud clap of my hands usually does the trick with Oliver, along with a firm “No”. If a correction is too harsh, the puppy learns nothing but to be afraid of you.
Basically, if you catch your puppy in the act, take him outside immediately and let him finish. He will associate this action with what he is supposed to do. If you find the puddle or pile later, there’s no use in correcting him as he is unable to link the correction and the deed if too much time has passed.
Happy Housetraining…
Well, all of what I have mentioned is likely not news to any of you new puppy parents out there, but I hope that it has helped to know that any new puppy owner out there can successfully housetrain a puppy if the basic principles are followed: routine, patience and consistency. The most important advice we can give is ‘be patient’. Love your pet unconditionally and the same is returned to you, no questions asked. A puppy will love you no matter what and nothing beats that warm, excited welcome when you walk in the door after a day at work. When else is someone so happy to see you? It’s a feeling like no other and well worth the effort of a little extra time spent in the beginning. Soon enough, your puppy will be as housetrained as the rest of your family! Happy Housetraining!
References…
- www.healthypet.com
- “How To Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days”, by Shirlee Kalsone
Written by Angela Craig, shown here with her beloved Oliver, a little Bichon Frise. Thank you, Angela, for writing this great guide for our new puppy owners
Site design by Web Development by Design - Optimized for an 1024 x 768 screen resolution. Your screen resolution is