subject: Dog House Training - How To House Train Your Dog [print this page] House Training Your Dog House Training Your Dog
The most critical first thing you must train your dog to do is housebreaking. No, no, you don't train your puppy how to break into your house when you forget your keys. Housebreaking means he must learn where and when he might do his business. Apart from being substantially beneficial to the hygiene of your household, dogs benefit from having rules and a routine - as pack animals, they look for duties issued by the pack leader and naturally enjoy keeping schedules. Here are the steps to housebreaking your dog
Dog House Training 1 - The best age to start housebreaking your pup is between 8 and 12 weeks old.
Dog House Training 2 - Experts recommend including a crate in a young dog's training process. (To housebreak an older dog, skip this section.) A crate usually resembles a cage, with a locking door and see-through bars, and ought to be big enough for the dog to move around in. While it seems like a miniature jail cell, crates shouldn't be used to punish your puppy. The idea is to make the crate into a doggy bedroom - a place where your puppy can play and sleep. He should never be confined in his crate for more than 2 hours at a time.
Dog House Training 3 - Because dogs, thank heavens, do not think in eliminating by their sleeping areas, your puppy will not relieve himself in the crate except if you've cruelly locked him in there for longer than he was able to hold it in. Three-month old puppies generally have to eliminate every 3 hours, so lead your pup to a designated outdoor bathroom spot often.
Dog House Training 4 - Try to always leave the house through the same door - the door you'd want your dog to scratch at to signal his need to go out in the future.
Dog House Training 5 - Make an effort to take your dog out at around the same times each day. A routine will ultimately be recognized, and your dog will soon know to hold it in until you take him out.
Dog House Training 6 - In case your not-yet-housebroken puppy is used to roaming freely around the home, look for clues that tell you he needs to go. Your puppy may suddenly put his nose down and sniff the ground intently. He may begin to circle an area. Or, he may stare at the door with an intense look on his face. Signs like these let you know to drop what you're doing and get that puppy out of the house. If you find your puppy doing his business inside (and only if you catch him - not after you find out he's already committed the crime), rush over and stop him by holding his collar, pulling up on it, and saying, "NO" in a deep, stern voice. Then take him outside to let him finish up and praise him with pats on the head or a happily chirped, "Good Fido!" when he does. (Note: Don't say "Fido" if your dog's name is "Rex.")
