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Housebreaking
The key to training
your dog to eliminate outside (where you want him to) is to prevent accidents,
and to reward success. Adult dogs have better bladder and bowel control, and can
'hold it' for a longer period of time than puppies. The rule of thumb with
puppies is to take their age in months, add one, and that's the number of hours
the puppy can "hold it" during the day..(i.e. A 4 month old puppy can
be expected to be clean for up to 5 hours during the day).
- Feed your dog on a schedule
(he'll eliminate on a schedule, too).
- Keep his diet simple and
consistent (avoid table scraps and canned foods; a high quality dry kibble
produces the least waste).
- Choose an area, about ten
square feet, outside, where you wish your dog to potty.
- Take your dog on leash to
the area, pace back and forth (movement promotes movement) and chant an
encouraging phrase ("do your business, do your business …").
- Do this for maximum 3
minutes:
- if he eliminates, huge
praise and play.
- if he doesn't
eliminate, keep him on leash, go back indoors, keep dog on leash with
you or confined in a crate.
- Try again in an hour;
eventually your dog will eliminate appropriately and
- You can give huge
praise and play.
- After each success,
allow 15 minutes of freedom in house, before placing dog back on lead
or back into crate.
- After each 3
consecutive days of success, increase freedom by 15 minutes.
- If there is an
accident; decrease freedom by 15 minutes for 3 days.
REMEMBER! DO NOT
PUNISH ACCIDENTS! IGNORE THEM, AND REWARD SUCCESS!
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