House Training A Puppy

Discover the Best Method Of House Training a Puppy

Posts Tagged ‘Method’

House Training Puppies – Crate Training Is The Most Effective Method

January 25th, 2010

When House Training Puppies, crate training is the quickest way to get the job done.? It works so well because when crate training puppies, it’s very simple to get a handle on your dog’s eating and toilet schedule, while making it very clear to your puppy where the toilet area is.

Some people have a difficult time with crate training because they feel it is cruel, and your puppy may fuss a bit about being kept in the crate, and that’s normal. However, dogs like having a den area, and this creates a safe area for your dog that he knows is his “home”. Crate training works because a puppy is very resistant to messing up his own space, and will hold off on relieving himself until he can get to another location.

The crate should be large enough so your dog can get up, walk around in a small circle and lie down. As he gets bigger, you can upgrade to a large crate if needed. Dogs don’t like to lie in their urine (who would??) so they hold off as long as they possibly can.

Keep track of the times each day your puppy drinks, eats and goes to the bathroom throughout the day. Then put together a toilet break schedule based on the times of day your puppy might need to go potty. Potty times usually happen first thing in the morning, after vigorous play, about 30 minutes after eating, and just before bedtime. For very young puppies a few nighttime time trips might be needed if they cannot hold it all night long.

When you take your puppy out of the crate in the morning, take him right to his toilet area. Simply carry him straight there and set him down in the toilet area if he tends to get distracted or run off. You should just stand there for 10-15 or so minutes, simply watching and waiting. If he actually goes to the bathroom, immediately give your puppy lots of verbal praise and affection, and you can also give a treat. If he doesn’t go, then take him back to his crate, and in about 20 minutes or so, try again. Just repeat this pattern until successful, and once your puppy does go, reward the good behavior with playtime.? You want to teach your dog that he needs to take care of business first, then he gets playtime. This sets up good habits.

In the initial stages, crate training puppies takes a lot of time and focus. If done right, you should see improvements quickly. Your puppy will need frequent breaks playing throughout the day, but for the most part he should stay in the crate during the early stages of the training process.

Whenever your dog is out of his crate, keep your eyes on him at all times. If you catch him about to have an accident on the carpet, shout No! and whisk him up and take him immediately out to the right area. This can be messy and chaotic, but it is really the only chance you have to help him understand where to go.

When you are in the middle of house training puppies, you should understand that accidents will happen, just be prepared not to call attention to it. Quietly clean it up? without letting your dog see. You’ll want to use proper dog mess cleaning products that take care of the smell of urine. It will take time and patience for your puppy to learn proper potty habits, so be patient with him.

No comments »

Posted in house training a puppy

Tags: Crate Effective House Method Most Puppies Training

Puppy Training using the “Reward” Method

October 23rd, 2009

As a new puppy owner you would have been captured by the sincere looks and appeal of your new friend. “The two of us will become perfect friends”, you say. A puppy has a way of melting your heart that can’t be achieved with human relationships.

In reality, this eutopic expectation is short lived, and soon you find yourself exchanging sharp words with your once lovable pup. The puppy doesn’t seem to want to do what you’re asking it to.

Do you find that your puppy doesn’t want to listen? If so, I suspect that it’s not the pup that doesn’t want to obey, it’s the way you are communicating with it. In short, you need “puppy training” instruction.

For some pups the “reward method” is the only way to train some complex types of behaviour – using a leash and collar or other methods may not work.

Most commonly used by police and military departments, “reward training” enhances the puppies’ behaviour especially when being taught the basics of scent detection and tracking, as well apprehending criminals.

The basic principle behind reward training is similar to getting your puppy to perform a trick.
The reward is used as a way of getting your puppy to perform a desired behaviour, without physical manipulation or restraint.

Puppies often react quite strongly to human touch – either positively or negatively. The purpose of “reward training” is to eliminate the use of touch as much as possible, in order to get your puppy to obey you in situations where no touch is desired.

Once the good behaviour is achieved, your puppy should be rewarded. Usually a small piece of dry dog food, or toy, is used as the reward, along with words of appreciation, “Good”.

One of the major obstacles that you will need to work your dog through are “distractions”. If your puppy has been trained in doors or in your back yard without much contact with the outside world, it is a good idea to invite friends and family over to assist with the training.

Helping your pup pay attention is one of the most crucial aspects to puppy training, and one that you will continually need to refine. This can be done quite effectively using the “reward method”. You will need to use your reward as an avenue to bring your puppies attention back to you, and hence gain control over your pup.

Putting in the time and effort into training your puppy will provide you with many years of rewarding behaviour, and friendship.