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A dog or puppy is either housetrained or not. If your
dog is sneaking off to another room and having an accident,
you will have to take some of his freedom away until
you can solve the problem. The longer you allow this
type of behavior to exist, the harder it will be to
modify. Unless you can catch him, it really does not
do any good to drag him off to the site of his mishap
and try and punish him. Keep him in sight if he is bold
enough to try something in front of you, say "No," get
his attention and take him outdoors quickly so he can
finish eliminating in the appropriate area. Remember,
it is your house. He has to earn his freedom through
good behavior and this is your responsibility.
The first step in housetraining is to decide whether
your pup will be trained to only eliminate outdoors,
or if you will use the Purina secondnature™ brand Dog
Litter Housetraining System as an alternative for pups
who will weigh up to 35 pounds. Purina secondnature™
is a convenient, stress-free alternative consisting
of three elements: Super-absorbent Dog Litter, Specially
Designed Litter Pan, and an Easy to Follow Training
Guide (found in every secondnature™ bag.) For more information
on the Purina secondnature™ system, click
here.
If your dog will be trained to eliminate only outdoors,
start by establishing an elimination spot. In the morning,
clip his leash to his collar and take the dog outdoors
to his spot for elimination. State commands like "go
potty" or "hurry up." After he does his duty, bring
the dog inside for food and water. About 15 to 20 minutes
after the meal, take the dog outside again for elimination.
Take your dog to his "spot" at each elimination time.
Maintain a regular feeding, drinking, and elimination
schedule.
One of the most commonly made errors in housetraining
is rushing too quickly ahead of your dog. Too much freedom
too quickly can cause some confusion. If your dog experiences
an accident or two, you will have to back up and slow
down. Marking should not be confused with housetraining
problems because marking is deliberate. This behavior
will arise in dogs who may be trying to vie for the
role of the leader in the household; marking is a way
of claiming territory. It is advised that if you should
notice this behavior indoors or out, you strengthen
all obedience commands immediately. This will remove
all doubts as to who is in charge around the house.
Providing your dog or puppy with a crate that is way
too large may allow him to relieve himself in one end
and sleep in the other. Placing food or water in his
crate will allow him to fill up his bladder and bowel
and he will have no choice but to relieve himself in
his crate. Make sure you take your dog or puppy outdoors
to eliminate on a regular schedule and especially prior
to being left for prolonged periods of time.
If you have tried all the above and are still experiencing
what you believe to be "Territorial Marking," consult
your veterinarian. Your dog/puppy may have a bladder
infection and it's always best to be safe, not sorry.
If your dog/puppy is not spayed or neutered you may
want to talk to your veterinarian about this procedure.
It usually has a very positive effect on this type of
behavior problem.
Even well-trained dogs sometimes have accidents. Clean
the accident area with a pet odor neutralizer so your
dog won't be tempted to repeat his mistake. Here are
some tips to help prevent accidents:
- Do not make sudden changes in his diet.
- Avoid giving your dog late night snacks.
- Make sure to spend enough time outdoors.
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Reprinted with permission by Ralston Purina
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