By Cesar Millan
Post found:http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/puppytips/Housebreaking
The process of housebreaking often brings on feelings of nervousness and worry, but the process does not have to be stressful—for you or the puppy.
The truth is this is a situation in which you have Mother Nature
working with you right from the start while puppy training. When the
puppies are first born, they eat and they relieve themselves inside the
den, but the mother always cleans them. There is never a scent of urine
or feces where the puppies eat, sleep, and live. When they get old
enough, they learn to use outside areas as they imitate their mother.
In this way, all dogs become conditioned never to eliminate in their
dens. From two to four months of age, most pups pick up on the concept
of housebreaking and crate training quite easily since it is part of
their natural programming.
Another built-in plus when it comes to housebreaking is our puppy’s
digestive tract, which is extremely quick and efficient. Five to 30
minutes after the puppy eats, she’ll want to defecate. So with a
consistent eating schedule, and your attention to the clock, your puppy
can maintain regular trips outside.
In the early days of housebreaking, you also want to make sure the
puppy has a place to relieve herself where she feels safe; a place that
seems and smells familiar. Have you noticed how dogs will often
eliminate in the very same spot they’ve done so before? The scent acts
like a trigger.
As always, remember that your own energy is a big factor in your
housebreaking efforts. If you are feeling nervous or impatient or are
trying to rush a puppy to relieve herself, that can also stress her out.
Using a loud, high squeaky tone to encourage your puppy to “go potty”
is a distraction to the dog, so try and avoid any conversation at all.
First thing every morning, bring your puppy outside to the same
general area. It is important to remain consistent throughout the
process so your puppy can learn the habit.
Once your puppy has successfully gone outside, it is important to
reward the good behavior. It doesn’t have to be a big, loud celebration,
but a simple quiet approval or a treat can get the message across of a
job well done.
Don’t punish your puppy for an accident or do anything to create a
negative association with her bodily functions. Stay calm and assertive
and quietly remove the puppy to the place where you want him to go.
Done correctly, housebreaking should not be a turbulent production
but just a matter of putting a little extra work into getting your puppy
on a schedule during the first weeks after she arrives at your home.
Don’t let unnecessary stress over this very natural, uncomplicated
process taint any of the joy surrounding the puppy training process and
your new dog’s puppyhood.
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