by Diane Gray
Eight week old puppies just waiting for their new homes and to be properly puppy trained.
Housebreaking your puppy is one of the most important lessons he will learn. Basically housebreaking is the foundation on which the future training of the puppy is built. The reason for this is because housebreaking requires the owner and puppy to be together indoors on a daily basis, usually for the whole day. With this intense and constant interaction, the relationship will be formed during the house training period between the owner and his dog. If all goes well with this process, than it will become easier for the puppy to learn the sit, stay, stand and heeling exercises, since he has already formed a bond with his owner. Of course he still can learn some of these exercises before he is completely housebroken. www.cratetrainingyourdog.info
The mistakes some owners use in the housebreaking training period is, not spending enough time on the training, starting too early, and giving the puppy inconsistent praise or punishment. Also, the owner shouldn’t expect too much too soon and should keep the puppy’s area clean. The puppy also should be restricted to a small area of the house, not the entire run of the house! It should be no more than a couple of square yards of space. You can also use the crate to confine him when you are absent.
Crate training is probably the quickest and easiest way to housebreak a puppy. The crate will become the puppy’s safe haven and his own little territory, and since he instinctively won’t eliminate in his bed the crate is an excellent tool for this training. Some people may think that confining a dog to a crate is cruel to the dog. But this is not true. The dog will soon consider his crate his own “home”.
Choose your crate carefully. For housebreaking, the sturdy plastic ones with the wire door and ventilation holes make a great choice. When you buy your crate, make sure that it is only big enough for the dog to stand up, lie down and turn around. If it is too big, he may just lie down on one side of the crate and eliminate on the other! As the puppy grows into a dog, especially if he is a large breed, you will have to purchase a larger crate, but using this technique is definitely worth the expense since the second crate you purchase will be his “home” for life.
Start crate training your puppy at 8 to 12 weeks. First, let him get acquainted with the crate by encouraging the puppy to go into it using encouraging words and treats. When he does go in, calmly close the door and praise him. If he whines tell him “No”. Don’t let him out when he’s whining. When he becomes quiet, open the door and praise! Only leave him in for 1-2 minutes at first. Repeat several times working up to 5 minutes. Soon your puppy will go into his crate on the command you choose such as “crate” or “kennel”. When your puppy accepts his crate as his “home”, you will have half your problems solved!
Now choose a potty site, whether on paper or outside. After he finishes his meal, take him out for a “potty break”. Give him a verbal command such as “go potty” and then stand still. Do this with his collar and leash on. As he starts to eliminate praise him gently so he won’t stop! When he finishes, praise lavishly! A small treat and a play period is a great reward. Then put him back into his crate. Repeat this process several times a day. Also remember that a young puppy can’t hold his bladder all night until he’s about 6 months old.
If your routine is consistent and done on schedule every day, you’ll soon have a housebroken, crate trained dog that will be a great home companion for many years to come. Don’t forget, always praise the puppy when he’s done something right, and be consistent! You will be well rewarded by your obedient dog!
For information on the best online dog training courses, please visit www.sitandheel.com
