House Breaking My Dog

Do you have some questions concerning housebreaking your dog? You are not alone if you’ve ever asked “How do I go about house breaking my dog?” What should be a simple task is sometimes a very trying one for many dog owners. The first step is to understand that this is a very common problem and you are not alone.

Many puppy and dog owners have found themselves in the position you’re in now and the good news is that, there is help available for you. The next thing you need to do is determine why your dog is having a problem and going in the house. Is he a puppy who has never been house trained before?

Is he an older dog that’s having problems with incontinence but he was trained at one time? Does your dog tend to mark his territory by going on the furniture or get excited and wet himself? In order to determine the best way to train your dog, you need to determine why he needs to be housebroken and rule out any physical or medical problem that could exist.

One way to house break your dog is with training mats. These are made for puppies and come in a variety of sizes but they can also be used for older dogs that need to be house broken as well. Training mats are very similar to a litter box and they will give your dog a suitable place to do his business.

If your dog is left at home alone for long periods of time, this could be a great option. You should introduce your dog to the mat gradually and praise him for going and this will encourage him to continue to do so.

During the stages of house breaking your dog, you may need to use gates or crates to be sure you dog stays in one particular area of the home instead of doing his business all over the place. Many dog owners find that they can cut back or completely eliminate the use of these devices once their dog is fully trained.

Always be sure to give your dog plenty of time outside to go and praise him when he does go outside like you want. You can’t expect your dog to come to you each time he needs to go out. You will need to stay on a schedule and be sure to regularly let him out from time to time throughout the day until he can establish a routine and also learn the ability to ask to be let out.

While this can be a frustrating and trying time, you need to always show patience when house breaking a dog. Your dog will sense it when you become stressed or angry. Like a child, this can affect their ability to go and their emotional well being. If you want your dog to learn anything, you will need to be as calm as possible when giving your directions and always remember to offer a great deal of praise and encouragement.