Housebreaking Basics

In our last blog, we discussed the medical reason that your adult dog may have suddenly developed housebreaking issues. Once you have eliminated medical reasons, you can move on to behavioral issues, and that is where Sit Means Sit can help. Our in-home consultations and dog obedience classes can help most behavior problems, quickly and simply. The most important thing with any behavior is to first teach your dog what it is you want of him or her. Housebreaking is a foundational behavior and so we’ll review the basic step for teaching your dog to eliminate outside. These steps can be used for puppies as well as older dogs who need a refresher course.

• Crate Your Dog. Some people find this distasteful, but it really does help a dog learn bladder control.
• Think of your dog’s crate as its home, it’s pack cave. Make it comfortable for them and give them incentives to relax in it. Safe chew toys and a blanket with your scent on it can help a dog to adjust to being crated.
• Take the dog out of the crate at increasing intervals and immediately take the dog outside.
• In the beginning, especially with young dogs, it is important to take them outside frequently. Setting a timer for every 20-30 minutes can help you remember.
• When the dog is eliminating in the proper place, verbally praise him or her.
• Choose one word or short phrase to use as a command. Use it consistently.  

If you are having trouble housebreaking your dog, give us a call for an in-home consultation.