Toilet training your dog or puppy as early as possible is always advisable. However this can only achieved with a fair amount of persistence and patience. Although dogs are generally believed to be very clean animals, their animal instincts can drive them to relieve themselves wherever they find it convenient. This can be very frustrating for the dog owner and we all know how it feels to your have your floors and carpets soiled and messed when least expected. With the right training, however, your dog or puppy can be perfectly potty trained. Here are a few tips that will help you to toilet train your dog or puppy - and remove the need for that carpet cleaner!Patience and Persistence
It is important to take note of the fact that the younger the puppy, the longer he may take to learn and get into the mode of the habits that that are being taught to him/her. Therefore, it is very important to be patient and persistent. Your dog will gradually learn the rules and form the right toilet habits when trained on a daily basis. Remember, that every dog has his own individual learning curve. So, punishing your dog every time he makes a mistake is not going to solve the problem.
Creating the Right Habits for Your Dog
Many animal trainers behaviorists believe that getting the dog into a habit mode is the key to perfect toilet training. It is therefore recommended that the dog owner takes the dog out every few hours as well as 30 minutes after the dog eats his meal. Choose a specific spot outside where you would be taking him on an everyday basis. Also, praise your dog now and then or when he obeys well. If however, he refuses to go outside, wait for fifteen minutes and try again. Gradually your dog will understand that going out is a sign of going to the bathroom. Also, pay attention to your dog’s body language and behaviour. If he/she starts to sniff or circle around, it is a sign that they need to relieve themselves. Select a designated spot each time you notice that your pet dog needs to relieve himself and take him/her to that spot every time.
React to 'Accidents' the Right Way
As mentioned above, every dog has its own individual learning curve. This learning curve is greatly affected by the owner’s reaction to any 'accidents' caused by their pets. Each time your dog displays symptoms of relieving himself, call out his name or clap in order to distract his attention. Constant control on his activities will help you determine his/her behavioral patterns as well. Make sure that you don’t vent out your anger or frustration on your dog if he does cause an accident. Carefully clean up the mess and ignore the dog completely while doing so. If he/she does try and approach the accident area, make sure you don’t yell at him or react in any way. Simply ignore your pet - otherwise you may find he may not be able to bond with you. The key is to train the dog and not instil fear in him.
Confining Your Dog or Puppy
At times confining your dog or puppy is the best approach towards their toilet training. Large crates or cages are used to hold them and restrict the area of their movement. Dogs will usually refrain from reliving himself at the spot where he sleeps or sits as they are essentially sanitary creatures. Whenever, Mother Nature calls, a dog would instinctively move out of the cage or crate in order to relieve himself. This gradually would become a mode of habit for him. However, it is important to ensure that the pet owner gets large sized crates and cages to confine the pet dog so that he/she has enough room to move about. This helps in creating a pattern that the dog will follow even after he is no longer confined to a crate or cage.
Use of Repetitive Commands
The home owner should use a certain set of words for the dog repeatedly until the dog understands what exactly it is a sign for. For example, if you take your dog or puppy outside, you could say “go potty”. Dogs have a keen ear and the ability to learn quickly. They would gradually understand what exactly the owner is signalling by the use of these specific words. Use of these commands on a regular basis is important so that your dog becomes familiar with them and begins to follow them. them.
Keeping Your Dog or Puppy Happy
It is important that your puppy or dog bonds with you, its owner. This only comes with love, affection and care. Reward your dog with treats once in a while and praise him every time he obeys your command or responds well to the training.
With patience, persistence and consistency you can have a dog that is not only well trained for the toilet, but which is obedient, loving and a joy to own.