Paws-itive Press
HOUSEBREAKING YOUR DOG
By Mark Planco of Planco Veterinary Care
Housebreaking depends upon the instinct of dogs to keep their bed clean. Dogs are “den animals”. You can make use of this instinct by creating a sort of home “den” for them. Their own private place gives them a sense of security. Confinement is NOT cruel unless abused. Do this by obtaining a crate that is big enough for the puppy to turn around in and to lie at full length, but no larger. Metal cages work best because they are strong and provide the least obstruction to vision. A puppy does not want a mess in his bed and then sleep in it! However, if the box is so large that he can relieve himself in one end and sleep in the other, he will do so.
Remember that on the very first day it is important to start giving the puppy all his naps in the crate. Puppies sleep 75% of the time. When the puppy awakens from his nap, you immediately take him out of the crate and take him/her outside to a spot that you previously have selected. Having a specific routine that is used EVERY time will make your housebreaking time short. You must take him out before and after play; always when he awakens from a nap; eats, drinks, and always the first thing in the morning and last thing at night. You must “never just put him out”. Instead, you must take him out, following your routine, urge him to go, and PRAISE him when he does. .
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1. A dog can only understand scolding and praise if it occurs within a half second of the event you are trying to control. Catching a puppy “in the act” is the best time to scold or praise. After the event has occurred, it is too late to scold, or praise, because the puppy will associate your feedback with whatever he is doing at the time, not ten minutes before. Rubbing his nose in his mistakes is a worthless technique and only confuses the dog.
2. Dogs need to relieve themselves after eating, drinking, sleeping and playing.
3. Feed your puppy the same time every day. This will help keep the dogs digestive system regular and it will be easier to predict when he needs to go out.
4. Start housetraining immediately.
5. If a mistakes happens, clean it up well and spray an odor neutralizer on the wet spot and rub it in well.
Good luck and please consult our clinic if you are having any difficulties in housebreaking your puppy. Using these guidelines a puppy of six to eight weeks can be housebroken within a couple of weeks.
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Dr. Mark Planco’s compassion for animals has been a lifelong labor of love. He earned both his undergraduate and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at the University of Florida. Dr. Planco has treated small and large animals since 1991, and has been in Palm Beach County since 1994. Dr. Planco is a member of the Palm Beach Veterinary Society, American Veterinary Medical Association and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association. Visit PlancoVetCare.com for further information or call 561-795-9507.
Disclaimer: This column is not intended to provide information on which you should use to diagnose or treat a medical condition or delay seeking medical attention. This column is of no value with respect to any medical condition that needs prompt attention. If you have a question that needs an immediate answer, you should call your own veterinarian or emergency animal hospital, especially if you are confronting a medical emergency!
Furthermore, we urge you to always seek the advice of your own veterinarian, and you should not disregard, discount, or delay seeking the advice of your veterinarian because of any response posted in this column.