| Dog training: Housebreaking is quick and easy if you | | | | Of course the process can be helped considerably if |
| follow these simple rules. | | | | you feed your puppy at regular times and regular |
| | | | intervals and also in specific place. The pup should |
| Dog training should begin the moment you bring the | | | | also be allowed to drink water at specific times. |
| pup into your home. Not serious training of course, | | | | About an hour after feeding the puppy give it a |
| but basic training in what you consider to be | | | | bowl of water. |
| acceptable good manners. | | | | After the pup has had enough to drink it will not |
| With gentle but firm handling your pup will soon learn | | | | take long before the water starts to start taking |
| what is expected of him. | | | | effect. Within a half an hour after it has had |
| It's important to remember, when you reprimand | | | | sufficient water, the pup will want to relieve itself. |
| your pup, the correction must be associated with the | | | | Water should not be freely available to a pup, but |
| unacceptable act. In housebreaking him, for | | | | make sure that water is available at regular intervals. |
| example, it is essential to correct him immediately | | | | After the pup has finished drinking take the water |
| you find him misbehaving. | | | | away. Note, this does not apply to adult dogs. |
| It's pointless taking him to a spot you find later, | | | | Mature dogs should have water available for them at |
| pointing to it and reprimanding him in a loud | | | | all times |
| disapproving voice. Or even worse, rubbing his nose | | | | If you are still in the initial stages of housebreaking, |
| in it. | | | | you can take wait for your pup to show the telltale |
| Of course he is going to look "guilty". You may gain | | | | signs of wanting to relieve itself . Then continue |
| the impression that he understands what he has | | | | with the process of picking the pup up before it |
| done and this is why he looks guilty, but this is | | | | has a chance to do so and take it quickly outside. |
| certainly not so. | | | | Alternatively, if you have passed this early stage, |
| If you intend your dog to be a housedog, when you | | | | you can take the pup directly outside; wait for it |
| bring the pup into your home for the first time it is | | | | to perform, then praise extravagantly |
| essential for him to have a place that he can consider | | | | The procedure is slightly different if you live in an |
| "his home". Find a suitable place in the house. Provide | | | | apartment and it is difficult to take the pup quickly |
| suitable bedding of some sort - an old blanket, or | | | | outside. You can put down several layers of |
| towel - and let him know that this is where you | | | | newspapers over a fairly wide area in a certain place |
| expect him to lie. | | | | in the house - preferably near the back door. |
| HOUSEBREAKING | | | | Wait for tell-tale signsthat it wants to |
| A young animal's control of his functions is going to | | | | relieve to itself. Then pick it up and place it |
| be weak. You cannot expect too much with regard | | | | on the newspapers. Use the same process of |
| to bladder control from a very young pup. If you | | | | praising when the pup has finished |
| live in a home where there is an outside garden, | | | | Place the papers near the door so that your puppy |
| training will be very much easier. | | | | will learn to associate this as the place where it is |
| AS soon as you see any evidence of the pup | | | | required to go. |
| wanting to relieve itself, which will be very obvious | | | | At a later stage you can even place some of the |
| by it's behavior, pick it up firmly but gently, without | | | | papers half under the door and half outside. Your |
| grabbing it. Make disapproving sounds without being | | | | puppy will soon get used to the idea of going to the |
| too harsh - "No, no, my dog! No my dog! | | | | door when he wants to relieve itself, even when |
| Outside!" Carry him outside. | | | | there are no papers. |
| Watch the puppy while while it does it's business. | | | | Obviously the idea of newspapers on the floor can |
| Then praise the pup very enthusiastically. "That's | | | | be very convenient at night. A very young pup will |
| a good dog!" | | | | want to relieve itself frequently during the night. It |
| By watching the pup carefully, especially after it | | | | is also a good idea to restrict the pup at night to a |
| has eaten, the indication that it wants to relieve | | | | certain area in your home, preferably the kitchen or |
| himself will be more and more obvious to you. | | | | bathroom, rather than let it have the run of the |
| For the first week of two it might be necessary to | | | | house. |
| be very attentive and watch carefully. But | | | | At a later stage, when it has the run of the entire |
| housebreaking is usually not a lengthy process and it | | | | house, your puppy will soon get the idea of going on |
| certainly should not continue for more than two | | | | its own special area or will whine to go outside. |
| weeks. | | | | |