Quarterly Article

Adams K-9 LLC

Quarterly Article

House Breaking

I get a lot of calls concerning housebreaking puppies and older dogs. I recommend crate training. When you bring a new puppy home they need to be housed in a crate. The crate needs to be appropriate to their size. If the crate is too large the pup will eliminate inside his crate.

The first 2-3 weeks plan on crating your pup at the far end of your home. They are going to cry, bark, and carry on. Do not let them out of their crate until they calm down. Letting the dog out when they are crying only reinforces that behavior and will take longer to train them to accept the crate. Responsible dog breeders should have already introduced your pup to the crate.

I feed my pups inside the crate and toss treats inside the kennel so it becomes a positive place. To a dog, food equals affection. Psychologically, the dog receives affection by eating in the crate.

Puppies need to go outside after they eat, drink, wake up from napping, and playing. I say , “take a break” then take them outside. I repeat, “take a break” when they go potty. Praise them after they are finished.

Another technique I do is to keep a short leash on the pup when they are in the house. By keeping the pup connected to me they are unable to wonder off and eliminate in the house. If they are permitted to run freely in the home and are not watched they go off and pee, which they are not corrected for. So, they don’t understand they are not supposed to be relieving themselves inside the house.

When I speak of corrections, we do not rub their nose in urine. If you catch your dog urinating in the house, sternly say “NO”, pick them up and take them outdoors. Think about it, if you were going to the bathroom and a giant yelled and picked you up off your feet, wouldn’t that startle you?

If your pup does eliminate in your home and you do not see it as it happens, there is no correction. The correction needs to occur as they are urinating, not after the fact. I put the dog outdoors and clean up the mess. First I soak up as much as the urine as possible. Next I pour a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water on the area. Make sure you use the vinegar solution or a product sold at your pet store. Vinegar eliminates the odor. I usually use a carpet cleaner after the vinegar solution has had time to soak in and eliminate the odor.

Following these steps should house break your pup within 6 to 8 weeks. Before you know it, they will be asking to go out.