Tamin' Those Critters!
Training Tips:
A guide to housetraining!
The real key to successful housetraining, is to try to avoid an accident
before it happens. This method includes a schedule and a crate to help avoid
accidents.
Remember the younger the dog the hard it is to hold it's potty. The rule of
thumb is, take the age of the dog and add a zero for the minutes. etc. a 3 month
old pup can hold it's self for approximately 30 minutes. So going off of that,
let's start our schedule.
First thing in the morning, before you get to do anything, let the dog out!
You may want to hold on to the dog will you put on something to wear outside,
that's right you to get to go outside! This helps the dog to see why he is being
put outside. And tell him to, "outside? potty
outside?" This will teach him the command for going outside, and
doing his duty outside. Then when he does his duty, praise him, praise
him, PRAISE HIM!!!!
Now, let's go back inside. It's play time for about an hour. Then feed him
his food, always have fresh water available to him, but not food. Take
the food away after 15 minutes. Then in 30 minutes take him back outside. Dogs
will usually have a bowel movement 30 minutes after eating. That's why you do
not have food available all the time, so you control when it is he needs to go
outside. After you wait him out and he does his thing and you praise him! It is
now time to go to the crate for a nap. Let's now talk about this crate.
A crate should be large enough so the dog can stand, sit up in and be able to
move around easily, but not so large that he feels that he can dirty his crate
and still have a place to sleep. The Idea is that a dog will naturally keep his
den clean. To much room and he looses this idea. If you want to buy just one
crate, that is large enough for him to grow into, you will then need to put up
some kind of a divider, so it isn't too large. The crate should also be in the
room where everyone else is, so the dog doesn't feel it is being punished. The
crate should always be available, door open, so when the pup wants to get away
or lie down, it can go to it's crate for a security. But limit he dog's access
to the house to only one room. If using the living room area be sure to block
off behind the couch and as such areas. This makes it easier to watch the dog's
behavior. If the dog starts to sniff the floor around in circles, you better be
there to grab him up and go outside.
Do not let the dog out if it is crying, this will teach it to do this to get
what it wants. Give him a treat if he calms down, but not while he is acting up.
Wait for him to finish and then it is right outside, praise him, and now it is
play time again.
What if he does not do his duty? You have waited, and waited, still nothing.
Then it is back to the crate for a while. He will not like this, and will cry,
but if you give in now, breaking him will be harder. After he has been in the
crate for about 30 minutes take him back outside. Keep doing this until he does
go outside. Remember we are trying avoid accidents!
Let's review:
Wake-up= outside
right way! Praise Him!!
Play time & Feed= outside
Praise Him!!
Nap= outside
Praise Him!!
Play time & Feed= outside
Praise Him!
Nap= so on & so on. Until bed time.
You should feed your pup three times a day. And do not
over feed. These dogs do not need a lot of food. After he reaches 6 months of
age switch him over to a high quality Adult dog food, and feed him twice a day.
Adult dogs can be fed once a day if desired.
What if the dog makes a mistake? If you catch him in
middle of the act, grab him quick and say a very firm "NO!"
Take him outside and put him down saying "POTTY
OUTSIDE!" If he finishes praise him! Then
decide if he just made a mistake or were you just being lazy and did not take
him out? In either case bring the pup back in a start over with the schedule.
And make a point to watch the dog a little more closely.
Good Luck! If you
are as tenacious as your Jack this method should help you house break your dog
in a few days, if not it will take longer.
Remember preventing "accidents" instead of waiting for accidents to
happen is the key!
