House Training Your Pet

Answer 1

When you brought home your dog you probably pictured days of playing fetch in the yard and evenings with him reclining at your feet. What you were not envisioning were stains all over your home from a dog that is not housebroken, ripped clothes from being jumped on and friends that won’t come visit because of your unruly best friend. Luckily, with proper pet training you can have the dog that you envisioned, and your friends will be happy to return to your home.

Crate Training

Barring issues with separation anxiety, any dog can be successful crate trained. A crate is like a den for your dog. Properly used your dog will view the crate as his home and will go in there willingly. The key is to properly use the crate. There are entire books dedicated to this subject, and it’s highly recommended that you pick one up. But here are some of the basics.

Proper fit is important. The crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around and then lay down. If you have a puppy then get a crate with a divider or use a large box to reduce the space inside until your dog is full grown. Dogs will not mess where they have to sleep so this is a vital part of house training.

The crate is never punishment. You want your dog to feel safe in his crate. If you are scolding him for something and he runs to the crate, that’s fine. But he should never be tossed in there as a punishment.

Don’t overuse the crate. Crates are for times when you are away from the home.

Proper Supervision of Your Dog

Dogs that are being housebroken or still tend to chew need supervision. While it’s tempting to put her in the crate even when you’re home, this defeats the point of crate training. When you are cooking or your interest in focused on the TV or a book, put your dog on a leash and loop the handle around your ankle. This will insure your dog stays near you. When he starts circling and sniffing, you will feel the pull on the leash and will be able to rush your pet outside to do his business. This will also prevent your pooch from getting in trouble chewing things he shouldn’t.

These tips will help you house train your pooch. There are many wonderful training books available that can help you with basic obedience training. You can also talk to your vet for recommendations on trainers in your area that can assist you. With some work and patience you will have the dog that you dreamed of.