Friday, September 3, 2010

Ideas On Housebreaking A Puppy

By Givianis Dorrell

Many people are not prepared or simply underestimate how tough housebreaking a puppy can be. Unfortunately, many people make this process harder than it has to be. As soon as you bring this new member of your family home, you will need to begin this process. With a clear understanding of the situation and a bit of preparation, you can get the issue under control as quickly as possible.

You will find differing opinions about the best way to go about this process, but there is basic information and techniques that all pet owners should understand. Make sure that you accept the challenge and approach this process with love and patience. In the long run it will be the best thing for your dog and for you.

Puppies have a difficult time controlling their bladder, especially before the age of 12 weeks. This means that accidents will happen. Be prepared for this fact. You must be consistent with your approach and attitude during this training. Failure to do so will leave the puppy confused and will just make the process more difficult. Also understand that all dogs are different based on the genetics of the species and the dog's natural attitude and temperament. If you have not picked out a puppy yet, take this into consideration.

You should immediately begin implementing a schedule that will help the dog learn its responsibilities. Key times to take the dog out are first thing in the morning and immediately after eating, which are key times that the dog will need to go relieve itself. Between these times, take the puppy outside every couple of hours or so, depending on its needs. With a bit of anticipation, this process can be much simpler and easier to get through.

Watch your dog for typical signs that they need to go, including sniffing, pacing, and circling an area of the floor. If you catch them doing this, take them outside. When you catch the puppy in the middle of an accident, firmly tell him "no" and quickly take the puppy outside. Remember that you should never hit the dog and avoid other cruel tactics that simply do not work. Also remember that you should not punish a dog for using the bathroom inside if you did no specifically catch the dog in the middle of the act. If you take action after the fact, the dog will simply have no clue why it is being punished.

Great tools to make your job easier are puppy pads and dog kennels. When you need to leave the home, place the dog inside the kennel. Dogs will not want to relieve themselves in such a tight space, encouraging them to wait and go outside. Understand, however, that the puppy wont be able to hold it for long, so keep this in mind. Take him or her outside before they go into the kennel and as soon as you get home. Puppy pads are great for two reasons. The first is that they provide an ideal place for the dog to go while inside, helping you by causing less of a mess and potentially saving your carpets. Every day, move the pad a bit closer to your door. Eventually, the puppy will learn to work its way toward the door when it needs to go. This is the other key benefit of puppy pads.

Although housebreaking a puppy is difficult, it is far from impossible. Utilize these tips to make your job much easier. Quickly get the dog on an ideal schedule that will work for everyone involved. Also make use of great products like puppy pads and kennels to make the process easier. If you approach the issue with patience, understanding, and love, your dog will be trained before you know it.

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