House Training A Puppy 2

House training your puppy is never a
straightforward process. If originally your
puppy has been brought up in less than ideal
conditions (Where the young dog has had no room
to toilet and has used its sleeping quarters
instead) then unfortunately the problem is going
to continue. You have to find an answer, and
quickly, to this type of situation.

The majority of puppies will not toilet where
they are sleeping. However if your puppy is not
obeying this rule then you have to try and
overcome this inbuilt habit. With normal house
training you have to be vigilant most of the
time, but with this kind of problem you have to
watch your puppy in a more intensive way. It is
not easy and requires a lot of time and
patience.

One simple method is to keep him in within reach
all the time. You can do this by attaching a line
or strong cord to his collar; the other end must
be fastened to your belt or anywhere on your
body so that it does not interfere with your
puppy or you. It is like an umbilical cord
between the two of you. This method is very
restrictive and time consuming, but great
results can be achieved if you stay with it.

If your puppy has learned to toilet on a totally
different surface from that which you have in and
around your home, then you will have to retrain
him. For example he may have learnt to go on
concrete instead of a combination of grass,
concrete and soil.

Most breeders do not have the time to train
their puppies in the art of toilet training.
Having to solve this problem yourself will
require a lot of perseverance and being
constantly vigilant. Usually during the first
week of house training and while you are making
a determined effort, you will probably notice
that he has a preference for one area of your
garden or backyard. This is normal.

It will be up to you to show your dog where he
needs to go. You can do this by fencing off a
certain area of your yard or backyard that you
want him to use. Getting him out of these bad
habits will not be easy. But you will have to
persist until he realizes that he cannot win.
Pack leaders should always know best.

People who live in apartments or small houses
have a greater problem. You will have to train
your dog to either use a wee pad or a litter
tray. This method is more difficult to teach. In
a normal situation, while outdoors, your puppy
would run around sniffing and the scent he picks
up would help to stimulate him to toilet. However
with being indoors all the time this does not
happen.

You will have to come up with a method of
getting your puppy interested in investigating
the litter tray. This may take time, but if you
want a puppy that is well behaved you will have
to persevere. You may find it helpful to use
puppy pads. These are pads or blankets made of
an absorbent material on one side and plastic on
the other. They come in different sizes and are
impregnated with a special scent that encourages
your puppy or dog to use them instead of
elsewhere in your home.

If you are unsure of where to lay the pads begin
with them across a wider area than you require
and then gradually reduce the area. Your puppy
will eventually use the particular pad you have
left for him. Then simply lay the remaining pad
in the litter tray and this will encourage your
puppy to use this particular spot.

However it must not end here, you must also
train your dog to use grass. You will need him
to use grass when you are out walking. You can
encourage him to do this by using the soiled
litter and placing it in the exact spot you want
your puppy to use. This is assuming that you have
a lawn or grassy area available.

There are bound to be mistakes; that is the
name of the game. Make training your puppy fun
and your puppy will learn faster. Make sure that
only one of you teaches him the house training
technique, so as not to confuse him.

Your puppy will test your patience, temper and
determination. If you want to be his pack
leader, then you will have to learn how he
operates. A puppy is naturally inquisitive, full
of mischief and fun. It is all up to you to make
the experience of house training your puppy a
worthwhile

----------------------------------------------------
Ian Nicholson lives in the UK and has been around
dogs for over fifty years. He has worked in
veterinary medicine, animal nutrition and
livestock farming. He is offering a free e-book
"7 Proven Steps To Better Older Dog Health" at
http://www.choosebestdogbreed.com

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