How To Potty Train Your Puppy...

Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog that needs house training there is a lot of work and time that goes into that process.  It is also important to remember if you have rescued an animal that they may or may not have had the best history with humans so positive reinforcement is especially important with these animals.

So how does the process work?  Well there are several things to remember when doing this for your dog.  Having a crate can work to your benefit because dogs don't like to "go" where they sleep.  Get a crate that is just big enough for them to stand up and turn around in so they don't have enough room to go to the back and do their business.  While this won't guarantee a puppy won't mess up their crate it should help tremendously.  Adult dogs should be able to hold it all day, however.  Timing is also key when house training.  Puppies should be taken out frequently and especially after they have eaten or drank water.  They should be taken to the same area and when they do go potty then they should be praised so they know that was a positive action.  Watching adult dogs in the house while training is important because they tend to circle when looking for a spot.  When you see this happen, take your pet outside for a potty break and when they potty then praise them for that action just as you would a puppy.

http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/Potty%20Training%20Basics.htm

Teaching a word for going potty is also good as well.  I personally use "outside" for my dogs.  They go crazy when I say it whether they have to potty or not and will at least try to potty when they do get in the backyard.  They know it's playtime and mom time when they get out there as well so all positive things for them.  If it's morning and I know they haven't finished everything when they want to go inside I will say "no, go potty" and point to the same area every time.  It does usually work the first time but sometimes takes a couple of times.

http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/house-training-your-puppy

So what is going on with your dog if these things don't work?  Well your dog may have a medical issue such as a urinary tract infection that will cause him/her to urinate inappropriately.  Animals do things like this to tell us something is wrong.  Either they are not happy, they don't feel good or are uneasy about something.  Separation anxiety will also cause a myriad of problems and inappropriate elimination is one of them.  If you have recently changed your pet's food then s/he may have some gastrointestinal upset that is not pleasant for you or your pet. 

Please do not punish your pet for these actions because they do not like for these things to happen.  They simply want to please you and by doing these things they are telling you something is wrong.  They can't talk so this is the only way they know how to tell us when they don't feel good.  Take your pet to the vet or talk to a behaviorist or both.  There is always a reason for the action; that I can promise you.  I have worked with animals too long not to know this statement is true.

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