5 Tips to Easy Puppy House Training

The sooner you potty train your puppy the better. You want to establish good habits from the start. And, a dog who has never gone potty in the house will never consider the house a place *to* go potty. I’ve always found the puppies we purchased from actual working farms (NOT puppy farms) were the easiest to house-train. They only ever wanted to go potty on grass or hay – as they had only ever gone in the barn or outside. They frequently wouldn’t even go potty in a parking lot – we’d need to find grassy areas on the way home for them to go potty.

Here are some house training tips that will help – as long as you follow them consistently:

1. Closely supervise your pup while potty training. Do not let your puppy out of your sight while he is loose in your house! Watch him as though you were babysitting a very young child who could/would get in trouble if you didn’t watch them. A puppy is the same as a toddler in this respect. Keep your puppy in a crate to keep him out of trouble when you can’t attentively watch him.

If you see your puppy starting to sniff around, take him outside (or to the selected potty area) right away. If you’d like the potty area to be outside – try to make the area outside from the start; and if for any reason you can’t make the area outside from the start at least make the area near the door. This way when you are ready to house train to outside you can bring your pup outside whenever you see him beginning to sniff around near the door. *When you can’t supervise your un-trained dog, keep him in a crate*. Be sure you have the proper size crate too. Your pup should be able to stand up and turn around – but no larger. If you bring your pup with you to purchase the crate, the store personnel should be able to help you select the correct size. Some people have tied their dog’s leash to their waist while potty training – but you still need to *pay attention*. (I once told my daughter that her puppy potty training problem was that she wasn’t paying enough attention. She phoned one day to tell me that I must be right – her puppy had two accidents that day – both on her foot!)

2. If you find your puppy going potty in the wrong place interrupt him by saying “NO!” in a sharp tone of voice- then immediately take him to the proper place to finish. (If you don’t catch him – you aren’t watching closely enough.) It could help to put the paper towel you clean the mess with where you want him to potty- so that he will have the scent there. Be sure to *thoroughly* clean and de-odorize the area where he pottied in the house. Use special products made for this purpose – or he will go there again. In fact, watch him *extra closely* and/or take him to his potty place when he starts sniffing around those areas.

3. Pick a potty place that is free of distractions. No playing of any kind until the pup has gone potty. Do NOT turn potty time into play time until after he goes potty. When he does go potty give him a treat and then PLAY with him. Reward him lavishly and immediately!

4. Set a schedule. Keeping a routine will help to establish good habits. Control when your puppy eats and drinks. Feed your puppy 3 times a day when you first bring him home (or as your breeder recommends). You can decrease this to one or two times a day as he gets older. Be sure he always has fresh water to drink. Take your puppy to his potty area about once an hour – and always take him to his potty area within 10 minutes after he eats or drinks, wakes up, and after exercise or play. Permit absolutely no playing or distractions until he has ‘done his business’. Once he has gone potty you can begin to take him outside about once an hour for a very young puppy – and extend the time between ‘potty breaks’ as your pup gets older and firmly forms good house training habits. But be sure to *watch your pup carefully* whenever he isn’t either confined or in an ‘OK to potty’ area.

5. Reward your puppy as soon as he does go potty in the appropriate location. Give him a bit of a very tasty special treat. Tell him, “Yes! Good boy!” And play with him! Make the moment he goes potty the moment the fun and good stuff begin. Dogs love good stuff; and they will usually do whatever they need to do to get it. So all you really need to do is to make sure your dog knows what you expect of him – what it takes to get the ‘good stuff’.

This is a lot of work at first until the habits are formed. But really, it is the most effective– and sometimes the only- way that it can be done. Be sure to take your puppy outside as much as possible to increase his opportunity to eliminate outdoors. If he doesn’t go outside do NOT take your eyes off him when you bring him in. Most importantly: lavishly praise, reward, and play with him when he does go outside. With the use of patience, persistence, consistence, and lavish reward – you will both succeed! For more free dog training information, advice, and tips, as well as free information on dog care, puppy care, dog health & nutrition, and free canine cuisine recipes visit: http://www.e-dog-training.com.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/5-tips-to-easy-puppy-house-training-139569.html

About the Author

Http://www.e-dog-training.com provides free dog training information on puppy training, house training, dog obedience & behavior training, crate training, dog trick training, and general dog training tips and advice. You’ll also find free information on dog care, puppy care, dog health & nutrition, and free canine cuisine recipes. Visit soon for the latest free dog training tips and advice. Copyright 2007 – Article may be reprinted and/or distributed if reference to http://www.e-dog-training.com remain intact.

Valuable Crate Training Tips For A Perfect Pooch

The term “crating” is used to refer to the act of using a kennel or crate to train a dog, usually for purposes of potty training. Crate training has become more and more popular than ever before and those who recommend it believe it is actually a panacea. But, perhaps the more important consideration is what the dog thinks about crating.

Dogs are naturally den creatures. This means that dogs naturally gravitate towards a secluded or limited amount of space that it considers its very own haven. It’s a private place where he can relax and not have to worry about defending his territory. A crate can serve as your dog’s den when used properly, which is why it is considered an essential tool in dog training.

Of course, even when something is originally created with good intentions, it can be abused. The same is true with crate training. But the fact that it can be abused does not make it wrong; it just makes it all the more important for you to know exactly what you are doing when you use crating as a training method. Here are some important things for you to remember as regards crate training:

You should choose a crate that your dog can comfortably stand up and turn around in.

You shouldn’t leave a puppy in the crate for more than three hours straight, and you shouldn’t leave an adult dog in the crate for more than eight hours.

Introduce your dog properly to the crate and do not force him to enter the crate at any time.

As much as possible, wean your dog off slowly from the crate as he grows older and crate him only when you have to be out of the house for a few hours.

Even when you’ve already weaned your dog off the crate, keep it available for him to nap in. This will make it easier for you to put him in the crate whenever you have to.

Now, how do you choose your crate? The cheapest crates available are plastic crates. These are the usual crates used when flying with a dog. Dog show vendors usually have good prices for these crates and airlines can even give it to you at wholesale price if you’re taking your dog on one of their flights.

Wire mesh cages are comparable in price to plastic crates, but they can be slightly unappealing to dogs, who prefer the enclosed nature of a crate. It is, however, advisable to use wire cages in warm places because it has better ventilation. For example, you may use a crate in your house and use a wire cage for when you’re travelling with your dog in the car.

Remember that your ultimate goal for crate training is to develop good behaviour in your dog. You should therefore view the use of the crate as a temporary necessity and always work towards being able to leave your dog alone in the house without worrying that he will get into trouble.
You can solve all Dog behavioural problems with consistent training and positive reinforcement. Rememeber as owner, it is your responsibility to ensure this.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/email-articles/valuable-crate-training-tips-for-a-perfect-pooch-4060673.html

About the Author
Now View More, Free – Expert Home Dog Training Advice and discover accelerated, easy solutions to all major Dog behavioural problem. So point your browser this way – and get more, in depth Free Advice on Crate Training from the nets greatest DIY Dog Training Site.

Shih Tzu – Housebreaking Your Shih Tzu Using A Crate

Crate training is one of the most effective ways of house breaking shih tzu puppies or shih tzu dogs. Crate training is very efficient, and very effective, since it uses the natural instinct of the dog to achieve the desired result of a clean house and a well trained dog.
The concept behind crate training is that a shih tzu naturally strives to avoid soiling the area where it eats and sleeps. By placing the shih tzu dog in the crate, this instinct is enhanced. The shih tzu will come to see the crate as its den, and it will try to avoid soiling its den.

The key to successful crate training for a shih tzu puppy or an older shih tzu , as with other forms of dog training, is to establish a good routine. This routine will enhance the ability of the shih tzu to do its business in the right place, and avoid eliminating in the wrong place. It is important to shower the shih tzu with praise each and every time it eliminates in the established toilet area, and not to express frustration or anger when the dog makes a mistake.

It is important to confine the shih tzu or shih tzu puppy to a small part of the house, generally one puppy proofed room, when you are not at home. The room should contain a soft bed, fresh water and some favorite toys to prevent the shih tzu from becoming bored and frustrated.

Crate training is different from confining the shih tzu to one room, however. With crate training, the shih tzu puppy or shih tzu dog is confined to a crate when unsupervised. The idea is that the shih tzu will think of this crate as its home, and not want to soil his home.
When crate training, it is important to remove the shih tzu from the crate as soon as possible after returning home, and to take the shih tzu promptly to the previously established toilet area. When the shih tzu does its business in this toilet area, be sure to provide lots of praise and treats. It is important that the shih tzu learn to associate proper toilet procedures with good things like treats and toys.

It is important to never leave the shih tzu in its crate for long periods of time, as this will confuse the shih tzu and force it to soil its sleeping area. The crate is simply a tool, and it should not be abused by leaving the shih tzu in it for extended periods of time. If the shih tzu is left in the crate for too long, it could set back the training program by weeks if not months.

The shih tzu should only be confined to the crate when you are at home. Except for nighttime, the shih tzu should be given the opportunity to relieve itself every 45 minutes or so. Each time the shih tzu is taken out, it should be put on a leash and immediately taken outside. Once outside the house, the shih tzu should be given three to five minutes to do its business. If the shih tzu does not eliminate in this time period, it should be immediately returned to the create.

If the shih tzu does its business during the set time period, it should be rewarded with praise, food, play, affection and either an extended walk or a period of play inside or outside the home.

During the crate training period, it is important to keep a daily diary of when the dog does its business each day. If the shih tzu is on a regular feeding schedule, the toilet schedule should be consistent as well. Having a good idea of when the shih tzu needs to eliminate each day will be a big help during the house training process. After the shih tzu has used his established toilet area, you will be able to give the shih tzu free run of the house to play and enjoy himself.

Dealing with accidents during crate training
It is very important to not punish the shih tzu puppy or shih tzu dog when it makes a mistake or has an accident during the crate training process. If there has been an accident, simply clean it up. Accidents during house training mean that you have provided the shih tzu with unsupervised access to the house too quickly. The shih tzu should not be allowed unsupervised access to the home until you can trust her bowel and bladder habits. If mistakes do occur, it is best to go back to crate training. Taking a couple of steps back will help move the house training process along, while moving too quickly could set things back.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/shih-tzu-housebreaking-your-shih-tzu-using-a-crate-7295.html

About the Author
Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Basset Hounds: Ten Things to Know About This Lovable Pet

Basset Hounds are among the most companionable and lovable dogs on the planet. Here are ten characteristics of the breed you need to know before bringing a Basset into your life.

1. Bassets seem to love everyone:
It’s difficult to imagine a sweeter, gentler or more peaceful dog. An adult basset on a walk in the park will try to make friends with almost everyone. Strangers seem drawn to him, will want to pet and coo over him. Emotionally, he sometimes seems almost human. His temperament is very well suited for a family setting. He’s really good with children and other dogs. He loves to play. Aggression is very rare. Don’t expect him to be a guard dog.

2. Sense of Smell:
His sense of smell is second only to the bloodhound. Bassets were bred for hunting small game. His nose can lead him into danger. He’s an escape artist and a wanderer. It’s advisable to keep him in an enclosed area and on the leash during walks. Left to his own devices, he’ll follow his nose wherever it takes him.

3. Intelligence:
Because of his clown like demeanor, laid back attitude and a streak of stubbornness, there are those who stereotype the basset as dumb. Don’t believe it. On the contrary, he’s a past master at getting his way. Clownishness, soulfulness and contemplative assessment of any situation are all part of his arsenal to win you over.

4. Puppies & Housebreaking:
Admittedly, housebreaking is difficult. If patience is not your long suit, you may want to consider a grown hound from rescue. In housebreaking a basset puppy, gentle tolerance and persistence, with plenty of positive reinforcement, will yield success. During his first year, refrain from allowing him to go down long stairs or jump off couches. His lengthy back is prone to problems during the formative stage if too much stress is applied.

5. Drool:
OK, he drools. Some bassets drool more than others. You’ll accept drool, because you just love him to death.

6. Weight:
Since he’s prone to weight gain and bloat, as is common among all deep-chested breeds, he should be fed reasonable portions only twice a day. Bassets tend to overeat. Remember that they’re long and low, and excess weight can lead to back injury. At a minimum, a daily walk is a must.

7. Ears:
Bassets’ long ears do not provide good air circulation and are prone to infection. Cleaning weekly and application of an ear wash solution from a veterinarian are required. While frequent baths are not necessary, the ears drag in everything and may need scrubbing more often.

8. Care and Maintenance:
With the exception of the ears and drool, bassets are easy to keep clean. His short, dense coat repels dirt and water. Bassets do shed, but regular brushing and removal will keep it to a minimum. Bathing about once a month is all that’s needed.

9. Compact Big Dogs:
His short stature is deceptive. Most bassets weigh in the range of 50 to 65 pounds. He has more bone for his size than any other breed. Because of his short legs, he may have difficulty jumping into some vehicles.

10. Barking:
Bassets are not given to excessive barking. Since he is very much a pack animal, he may howl if left alone for long periods. He’s vocal and often makes a variety of sounds in keeping with his mood, especially when excited about the prospect of a walk or play.

If you’re looking for a gentle companion that’s easy to care for and gets along well with everyone, you’d be hard put to do better than a basset hound. Please consider rescuing a basset. Just do a search for “basset rescue” on Google to find dogs in your area.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/basset-hounds-ten-things-to-know-about-this-lovable-pet-58372.html

About the Author

Robert G. Knechtel maintains several websites, including PetMedShop.Com and Go60.Com

Pomeranian Puppy House Training Tips

Adopting a Pomeranian puppy can be a great time of joy and fun, but if you want a housebroken adult dog and your work begins the minute you bring your puppy home. Many people don’t know the right way to go about housebreaking their dog so below are some Pomeranian puppy house training tips that might come in handy for your new Pom.

The first thing to remember when house training any dog, but in particular your Pomeranian puppy, is that positive reinforcement is best. Never hit your dog or yell at him or rub his nose in his “accident”. This will not get you the results you want and isn’t fun for either you or the dog.

Your Pomeranian puppy’s training should start the day you bring them home. This is usually the most difficult part since you want to just relax and have fun with your cute little ball of fluff, but if you let them run all over the house being every corner it set a precedence, as well as an inviting odor, for him to continue this behavior. So the best thing to do is to start off training right away.

House training your puppy is largely a matter of, observance and persistence. When you see your dog acting like he has to “go”, then you should immediately bring them outside to the area that you want him to do his business and. This means that you left keep a keen eye on him and learn to recognize the signs. Obviously, if you see him squatting this is a sure indication – don’t yell but just sharply say no or distract him in some way so he doesn’t actually begin to do his business and then pick them up and bring them right outside setting him down gently. When he does finally go outside, pet him and praise him so that he knows that this is the desired behavior.

You can’t always be home with your Pomeranian puppy, so in these instances it’s good to confine him to an area that has a sleeping section, food and water bowls and section for him to go to the bathroom. This can be a large crate or you can do like my husband did and build a little removable fenced in section that extended off the face of the crate. We would leave the crate open and my Poms bed was in the crate, then out in the fenced in section she had her puppy pee-pad and a section for her food and water. The fence was only about 2 feet high but she couldn’t jump over at so to do good job of keeping her contained but still giving her some room to move about.

Now the only thing with this Is that you’re puppy may become little bit confused because on one hand you’re saying it’s okay to go on the newspaper or keypad but what you really want is your dog to go outside. The problem is is when they are young puppies they can hold it very long and if you work you just simply cannot be there to let them out every time they need to go. one way to work with this is as the dog gets older move the pad closer and closer to the door bringing him outside as often as you can. Finally you will hopefully be able to remove the pad altogether and have a Pomeranian that runs over the door to indicate to you that he needs to go out.

The key to Pomeranian puppy house training is patience and persistence. You simply can’t give up after a few days if your dog isn’t behaving the way you want. You must keep at it, rewarding your dog when he does his business outside. Like many toy dogs, Pomeranians can be a bit difficult to house train and you’ll have to be patient in order to get the results you want.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/pomeranian-puppy-house-training-tips-89411.html

About the Author

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.pomeranian-pages.com where you can learn more about the care and training of Pomeranian puppies.