How did you housebreak..?

[Bane'sMama]

Hello everyone,

I am eager to learn about how the training styles and techniques you've used to house break your dog.

We have a 12-week old Presa Canario who has his good days and bad days.

We live in a large 3 bedroom home, with a fenced in yard and because he doesn't have all his shots yet, we're only restricted to the yard..

Thanks!

 

[lizzy_troy]

**Following**

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Routine, hawk eyes at all times, reward, reward, reward. Expect accidents and accept them as your fault. Never punish if you don't help or get to your pup on time and have patients and learn to watch for the signs. Don't paper train, it's pointless and makes life harder and twice as long. Just go with the flow and don't rush or panic.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Oh and keep in mind one hour per month of age. Always after sleep, food, play, anything. Don't rush your pup, it may take time and walking around to get the bowels moving.

 

[kate02121]

Are you using a crate? There's a different method to that (many say easier), but we did not use a crate with our EM. I agree with the above - it's absolutely on you as the owners to be vigilant and watch like a hawk. Remember that any accidents he has now are your fault because you should be watching at all times, and he just doesn't know yet. The more effort and time you put into it now the easier it will be. He'll need to go out very, very frequently, although he may be able to hold it longer at night.

Don't freak out if he has an accident. If you catch him in the act a "Nonono" while picking him up and taking him outside should do it. If you catch an accident after the fact, there's no point in scolding as he won't remember. But we did clean any accidents with a vinegar wash, so our dog didn't think to go in that spot again.

Finally, go insane with happiness every time he goes outside (even if it's just finishing up from his accident inside). We learned quickly that our pup values treats more than our praise (haha) so learn what he wants. Use a trigger word for each (#1 and #2) and tell him "good potty" repeatedly. He'll get it!

 

[lizzy_troy]

I just want to add that it takes time for pups. Mayzee is nearly 16 weeks and does great, if I keep an eye on her. If I get lazy in watching her, or don't give her enough time outside, she'll go in the house. She is starting to warn me when she needs to go. As frustrating as it is (I *hate* finding puddles!!), it gets better as you work with them on it...

I saw a website article that said to clean up the pee or poop with the dog watching, and scold the accident. Then, take the pup and paper towel (rag, w/e) outside where you want the pup to potty. Put the dirty paper towel on the ground and praise it. This is supposed to show the pups that the mess belongs outside. I haven't done this, but it seems like a good idea...

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

It's also fun and helpful if you can teach your pup to knock at the door or ring some jingle bells you hang from the door handle to let you know when they need to go out. Mooshi knocks and has.done from day 2 or 3.

 

[lizzy_troy]

It's also fun and helpful if you can teach your pup to knock at the door or ring some jingle bells you hang from the door handle to let you know when they need to go out. Mooshi knocks and has.done from day 2 or 3.

I would love to do this, but my one year old would have me freaking out, ringing the bells all the time.

 

[Kujo]

Lots of patience...and lots of praise when they get it right. I remember doing lots of pee and poo parties outside, Kujo always looked at me like I was nutts, but would still join the party. It was only after we caught him in the act of peeing inside and giving a loud NO, and then immediately taking him outside and praising like crazy that he got it. After that, he's never had a single accident, even on the 2 occasions where he was left alone for 6 hours (not crated).

I think all dogs just want to please us and avoid things that displease us, show your pup what makes you happy and they will repeat it. Show your pup what doesn't make you happy, and they will try really hard to not repeat it.

Oh yeah...and Kujo paws the door to be let outside...and does the same thing to be let back in. We didn't really teach him this, he more of taught us what he wanted lol.

 

[Rye]

It's also fun and helpful if you can teach your pup to knock at the door or ring some jingle bells you hang from the door handle to let you know when they need to go out. Mooshi knocks and has.done from day 2 or 3.

hey, would you mind telling how you trained your dog to knock? I think that is amazing and a great habit for any dog to have?

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

I didn't teach her she just did it. But you can show your pup what to do each time you open the door. Eventually they will catch on that knocking opens the door.

 

[cinnamon roll]

I used the house leash method. I brought her home at 13 weeks and she is now 9.5 months and we have only had 4 accidents since she came home

 

[Hector]

I don't have any advice, but my old female and pup will wait at the back door when they need to go potty. They've always done this on their own. My belgian shepherd however will get antsy and get in your face and stare you right in the eyes.

 

[Milton Meathead]

I used the house leash method. I brought her home at 13 weeks and she is now 9.5 months and we have only had 4 accidents since she came home

I've not heard of this method? Can you let me know how to do this?

 

[Kez]

I just want to add that it takes time for pups. Mayzee is nearly 16 weeks and does great, if I keep an eye on her. If I get lazy in watching her, or don't give her enough time outside, she'll go in the house. She is starting to warn me when she needs to go. As frustrating as it is (I *hate* finding puddles!!), it gets better as you work with them on it...

I saw a website article that said to clean up the pee or poop with the dog watching, and scold the accident. Then, take the pup and paper towel (rag, w/e) outside where you want the pup to potty. Put the dirty paper towel on the ground and praise it. This is supposed to show the pups that the mess belongs outside. I haven't done this, but it seems like a good idea...

Lmao sounds crazy but yea seems good idea ;-)

 

[kate02121]

It's also fun and helpful if you can teach your pup to knock at the door or ring some jingle bells you hang from the door handle to let you know when they need to go out. Mooshi knocks and has.done from day 2 or 3.

We use bells! It's both helpful and adorable. Charlotte usually just rings when she needs to go out to potty, but she does from time to time ring when she thinks we aren't paying attention to her or just wants to go outside to play. To reduce the "I need attention ring," we make her go outside whenever she rings it. Either way, we love it and it's a nice noise.

Teaching her was pretty easy. During the time where our focus was housetraining we just hung the bells by the door and every time we went outside, we rang them ourselves. When she started to "get" the housebreaking, and stood by the door to go out, we pointed her nose at the bells and when she rang them we went nuts with praise and treats. She got it pretty easily.

 

[2nd Chance]

I found the house leash method great! as im so busy, i get easily distracted with multi tasking, and a accident can occur fast.
Also, i have a stable door, that is always open for dogs to come/go.
I also have 2 other housetrained dogs as role models.
I live outside practically, so little opportunity to be inside the house peeing in first few weeks

and lots of praise for right spot.
Using apple cider vinegar to neutralise the marker scent of dog urine, that will prompt a repeat pee over same spot if not cleaned up properly.

Consistant vigilance is the single most effective tool. Which is why, my son's puppies are housetrained here, yet not at home still.
Im cleaning up less often, so not so 'over it' and laid back as they are. Hence house trained here, but not at home.

 

[cinnamon roll]

Sorry for the delay in responding I broke my laptop.

Basically the house leash method is where you have your pup on a leash and you attach the other end of the leash to yourself. That way the dog can only 4 or 6 ft from you at anytime. We all know how easy it is to get distracted with house work, kids etc. And with using the house leash if forces you to pay attention to your pup at all times. If you do use this method be advised that they are gonna chew on the leash so i would get another leash to use for this training. It also comes in handy during other trying times with your pup during the chewing stage, the stage where the ears stop working. Also be sure to clean any accidents with either vinegar or a good enzyme cleaner.

 

[acain37]

We use bells! It's both helpful and adorable. Charlotte usually just rings when she needs to go out to potty, but she does from time to time ring when she thinks we aren't paying attention to her or just wants to go outside to play. To reduce the "I need attention ring," we make her go outside whenever she rings it. Either way, we love it and it's a nice noise.

Teaching her was pretty easy. During the time where our focus was housetraining we just hung the bells by the door and every time we went outside, we rang them ourselves. When she started to "get" the housebreaking, and stood by the door to go out, we pointed her nose at the bells and when she rang them we went nuts with praise and treats. She got it pretty easily.

I love the bells. We use them too! You never have to worry about missing them when they are just sitting by the door. (The door they use is in the back part of the house, and our living room is in the front) It was funny though, when the cat convinced Abner to ring the bells so he could go out. The first couple times I was annoyed, until "I" realized what was going on. The cat wasn't supposed to go out, but Abner would ring the bells, the cat would run out under his legs when I opened the door, and then Abner would go back to the living room and lay on his bed and go back to sleep!

 

[taraann81]

Sorry for the delay in responding I broke my laptop.

Basically the house leash method is where you have your pup on a leash and you attach the other end of the leash to yourself. That way the dog can only 4 or 6 ft from you at anytime. We all know how easy it is to get distracted with house work, kids etc. And with using the house leash if forces you to pay attention to your pup at all times. If you do use this method be advised that they are gonna chew on the leash so i would get another leash to use for this training. It also comes in handy during other trying times with your pup during the chewing stage, the stage where the ears stop working. Also be sure to clean any accidents with either vinegar or a good enzyme cleaner.

we did this at times too, normally when I was diatratced. Id just add, if you are doing it for extended period, make a point of visiting the water bowl for pup fairly often