Housebreaking the Dog

Having a pet is an age old family addition.  Choosing whether that pet is inside or outside is a very individual decision.  Choosing to have your dog live inside with you is an amazing decision that fosters an even closer relationship with man's best friend.  This decision should not, however, be made lightly.  

House training requires work, and patience.  It is important to realize a pup under 12 weeks of age does not yet have bladder control to wait until potty time.  Being watchful for signs that the dog needs to potty include circling, sniffing around, or attempting to find an unseen corner.  Provide a potty break immediately.  Feeding high quality puppy food and a veterinarian exam can ensure a healthy pet that can more quickly train.  Ensure against worms, parasites, or diarrhea.  

The key to house breaking , as with anything else that is taught to your dog, is consistency. Everyone must guide the dog with the same rules and reward in the same way.  A dog that knows what to expect is a secure animal, and a secure animal tends to respond more favorably and remains happier.  Providing newspaper is one common way to train a pet, but by far letting a dog into a fenced enclosure or taking the dog on a walk is most common.  This should be done only if immunizations are current, ensuring the dog's safety and complying with local leash laws.

Many agree that one of the best ways to facilitate house training is to have the pup sleep in his crate.  Dogs do not typically like to soil where they sleep, so putting them in at night avoids waking up to nasty little surprises.  The crate should not be used for prolonged confinement, but sleeping time and when the family is gone, is a good time for this training.    The crate should not also be a form of punishment, as this may send mixed messages.  

Socialization is an aspect of housebreaking people may not readily consider.  Dogs are more likely to train successfully when happy secure.  Feelings of anxiety can cause unintentional accidents or intentional behavioral incidents, including inappropriate soilings.  Especially for the dog that must be crated when the family is away, plenty of acffection and companionship should be available when the family is home.  Remember, as with humans, dogs are pack animals.  Even more so than humans.  

Training an older dog may require some different consdierations, especially if the dog has not previously been trained.  Even previously trained dogs have a new environment, family, and expectations being placed on him.  The dog will need more opportunities to go potty especially the first few days as he processes changes and gets accustomed to changes in food and even water.  A regular elimination schedule should be easier as the adult dog has better bowel and bladder control.  

An inside pet is indeed a responsiblilty not to be taken lightly.  It requires patience, understanding, humor, and love.  But it is indeed rewarding.  Only one other animal has found itself so close to the heart of mankind, the cat.  That is due to the fact that these two animals have close pack instincts, and they have chosen to allow us to be part of their packs.