Dog Housebreaking - Information

Many puppies start their housebreaking training while they are still with their mother in the whelping box. Since dogs instinctively like to sleep in a clean area, they will usually relieve themselves away from where they want to lie. By having newspaper covering most of the whelping box floor, they begin to identify the paper as a good place to "go." With this background already in existence, the new owner has a good start with paper training.

Three months of age is when housebreaking is started, and the kitchen is a fine spot. Here, the pup is apt to have lots of company, and it is a location which normally has a washable floor covering and makes confinement possible. Spread several layers of newspaper over most of the floor and barricade the puppy so that he is confined to this area. Puppy's bed, food dish, and water pan should also be in this spot. The little pup will generally select one corner in which to relieve himself. Praise him, and reduce the size of the paper covered area. Always remove the soiled newspaper, but leave a sheet on top which still has the special odor. The odor will tell him that this is the spot, and he will use it again.

Praise and patience are the key ingredients in housebreaking a puppy. When he relieves himself on the newspaper, praise him lavishly. If he makes a mistake, scold him gently, pick him up, and put him on the paper. Remember, this must be done at the time of the "accident," not later. During this period, it is so important for someone to be able to devote a great deal of time to training. Unless you are present and able to indicate to the puppy exactly what you expect, learning will be very slow.

Allow nature to help you in this housebreaking procedure. Puppies relieve themselves immediately on waking in the morning and when awakening from naps, as well as after meals. Place the puppy on the paper at these times and you will be nicely rewarded.

During these first few weeks of serious paper tram-ing, restrict your punishment to a stern "No" and a shake of the finger. Show the dog what you expect rather than punishing him for his errors. Don't slap him, hit him with a newspaper, or stick his nose in his mistake. Since he is only a baby, these methods are much too severe.

By the age of four months, you can begin the real outdoor housebreaking. Transfer the paper to where you want him to go. Observe the puppy closely and when he heads to where the paper was located previously, pick him up and carry him outside to the new location. Continue to anticipate and take the pup out first thing in the morning, after eating, at noon, after nap, and before going to bed for the night. Until housebreaking is really going quite successfully, continue to keep the pup confined. If he is given the run of the house, accidents are bound to happen. Once he really has the message, try to develop a good schedule. Remember, a young dog is not physically able to hold his urine for a long span of time. The schedule will probably be at least six times a day. Mistakes will occur, correct them immediately — take him to the place he made the error, show it to him, and then lead him outside. Keep your instructions simple and always use the same terms.

Until the puppy is well housebroken and old enough to control himself, put newspapers down whenever you must leave the house. This way your baby can be "good" and you won't have to clean up any accidents and do any scolding.

Some breeds train very easily and others are more difficult. Don't get discouraged if you find training isn't progressing as rapidly as you expected, and don't allow bad habits to develop. Firmness and consistency will pay off at the end. Until the dog is fully trained, don't give him the run of the house. If a relapse occurs after training, confine him again until he can be trusted. Since housebreaking is really one of the most important lessons to be learned, insist on complete compliance before you relax. There is nothing more annoying than a dog that cannot be trusted in the house.

Think twice about trying to housebreak a puppy of one of the large breeds. When they have an accident, it is quite a mess. Professionals recommend that you have it trained elsewhere, and bring it home after it is able to function on a four times a day exercise schedule.

Special Problems
Believe it or not, some fully trained dogs seem to use anti-housebreaking behavior to display their anger or resentment. They will leave a puddle or deposit to show their disappointment when left home alone or in response to some punishment. Needless to say, such behavior cannot be tolerated, and a firm stand must be taken.

Training and Consideration
Now a special word about a special problem— where to exercise your dog. It is amazing how many dog owners are apparently oblivious to the resentment that they create in their neighbors by allowing their dogs to use the neighbor's property as a bathroom. In fact, some dog owners will actually walk their dog over to a neighbor's rather than allow him to use their own lawn. This type of behavior is definitely anti-social and most obnoxious. Dog owners should have more sense and consideration. By all means, give your dog a walk. However, don't allow him to make a mess on other people's lawns, walks, or gardens. Keep him on a lead and take him to an empty lot to relieve himself. City dogs must be curb trained—that is trained to make in the roadway. If you have a yard, the dog can be taught to use a special section for this purpose, and you can clean it up regularly. Should your dog make a mistake and use the neighbor's lawn, scold him and train him not to repeat this act. Your pet should not become a nuisance to anyone else.