We’re all familiar with potty training from teaching our own children to do exactly that. But in the case of your dog you don’t want to teach it to eliminate in a receptacle (unless you and your pet live in unusual circumstances — which is fine) but outside in an area. So this article is going to cover how a puppy can be trained to put his mess ‘out there’ and not on your carpet!
So, how do I do that?
Well, it’s a matter of rewarding your dog and showing it what you want.
When you puppy comes home to you for the first time, you may discover his mother has already taught him how to eliminate outside on the ground. In that case, you got away with this lightly!
But if she didn’t then here are some simple steps that will work with most pets.
(1) Select a place where you want the pup to always eliminate.
When you see the dog wants to eliminate take him to this place. Take him there by the same route each time. Teach him that this is the spot to eliminate at.
(2) Associate the place and action with a word.
We do this with our kids, of course. We’ll say something like, “Want to go to the potty?” when we see them obviously needing to relieve themselves. And then calmly but speedily help them get to the bathroom!
Same with your dog. When you see the pup is going to eliminate, take him to the place you’ve designated, and then — and this is critical — as he begins to do his business, say a word. Make it one you can say in public without embarrassment! Then repeat this over a number of days, and your pup will learn that word is his cue for eliminating.
It is amazing how powerful this technique it.
(3) Reward him
Just as the pup is finishing his business, reward him. Many dog owners use a clicker for this, and its a great idea. But whatever you want to do, give a signal that says, “You’re a GOOD dog!” and slip him a small reward.
And there you are! Your pup will quickly learn that the “place to go” is not on your best carpet!
Len McGrane writes about dog training books at his website http://www.dogtraining-books.info Len’s basic training philosophy says, The most important thing you can do for your dog is develop a warm, friendly relationship with him.
Tags: dog training, dog training books, dogs
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