Real Estate Innovation

Top 5 Ways To Stop Dog Potty Problems

October 3, 2008 on 1:10 am | In Home |

When anyone brings home a dog, or a new puppy, they have to deal with the potty training problems. All dogs need to know where it is OK to relieve themselves, and where it’s not. In the wild they were able to do this where ever they saw fit, but we as humans don’t live this way. So, here are a 5 proven methods to get your pouch to relieve themselves in the proper places.

#1: Crate Training

One easy way to house-train your dog is to buy a crate or cage just big enough for them. After feeding your dog, lock them in it if you will not be supervising them. Dogs do not like to eliminate where they sleep, and if their crate is too big, a dog locked within may relieve themselves in one corner and sleep in the other. You don’t want to keep your dog here for too long, of course, as they will eventually have no choice when they can no longer hold it.

#2: Go Out After Feeding

If you will be supervising your dog, simply take them outside shortly after you feed them. Watch your dog eliminate, then praise them. Your dog lives for your attention and will try his best to please you. This will instill in them the value of eliminating outside.

#3: Paper Training

Paper training is an effective but time-consuming method of house training your dog. First, line the floor of a laundry room or basement. Then, isolate your dog in that room after feeding them. Do this every day for a week, then take away the half of the paper farther away from the door. Dogs are creatures of habit and your dog will be looking for the paper they are supposed to eliminate on. The following week, take away another half of the paper, and so on until only a little bit remains. You can then keep moving this scrap closer and closer to the door until it’s actually outside and then eventually you eliminate the paper altogether.

#4: Ringing the Bell

This is a great way to house train your dog and stop the barking or crying they may do when they need to go outside. Get a bell hang it by the door, where your dog can reach it. Now, every time you let your dog out to relieve themselves, ring the bell. Sooner or later your dog is going to fill in the gap and assume that the bell must ring before they can go outside. So your dog will start to ring the bell every time they need to go out and do their business.

#5: Go On Command

The final method is the most tenuous, meaning you won’t see instantaneous results no matter how good your dog is at commands due to the biological nature of elimination. This method lets you form another bridge between events. In this instance, when your dog relieves themselves you can use a key phrase that they will associate with elimination, such as ‘Go potty!’ or ‘Go pee!’ You can also use a clicker instead of a phrase. As was mentioned, this won’t result in instant elimination, but your dog will get the idea as to what they are supposed to do.

Always remember that you as the dog’s owner bear the responsibility of raising them right to be the dog you want them to be and that their natural instincts in many cases will conflict with what you find acceptable. Your dog needs you to show them what the rules are in the house.