Many dog owners struggle with training their dog how to go to the bathroom outside in a designated area.
There are several common techniques used to teach dogs housebreaking habits. A very simple solution is doggie door. This may not always be enough.
Crate training and puppy padsare both effective methods for housebreaking your dog or puppy. Each will require consistency and patience. In this article we are going to discuss crate training.
There are 3 fundamental questions you need to answer before you begin using crate training as a housebreaking tool:
· Where will the dog or puppy stay during the day when you are not there and for how long?
· Will your dog or puppy be supervised when you are home?
· Where will the dog or puppy sleep at night?
Crates are a temporary den or shelter. Never use the crate as a form of punishment. Effective crate training requires you exercise disciplined patience, but firm resolve.
Puppies are more prone to going potty in the house than older dogs primarily because they are not physically capable of controlling their bladder muscles. They will need to be taken outside more often and you will need to be more attentive to them. Most dogs aren't delivered to your home housebroken.
When deciding on a crate remember the crate should be large enough for the dog or puppy to stand up and turn around. The bedding area should comfortable and include a water dish. Dogs instinctively do not want to relieve themselves in their crate (den). However if the crate is too large for the puppy and you leave them their too long they will relieve themselves in one corner of the crate and sleep in the other.
Good housebreaking means consistent supervision and prevention practices. Helping your dog means calm discipline and firm resolve. If your dog goes potty when or where it shouldn't this is probably your fault. This was likely a result of lack of supervision and your dog's lack of understanding. Supervision is essential to your puppy or dog quickly learning the housebreaking rules.
