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Easy Steps to Housebreaking a Dog
Housebreaking a dog is not complicated and, in some cases, will even take less time than housebreaking a young puppy.
Sure, old habits die hard and older dogs learn slower than young puppies.
But what an older dog has going for him is that he has a much stronger bladder and bowel control than a younger puppy.
Don't get me wrong -– when I say "not complicated", I don't mean you'll see instant results. Housebreaking will take time and requires patience. But you will see the results.
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What follows are some tips based on my own experiences…
Housebreaking a Dog after a Relapse
Why would a housebroken dog experience a relapse?
Usually a relapse occurs after some traumatic event in a dog's life. Here are some possible causes…
- Before your dog came into your home, he was put up for adoption
- For whatever reason, you stopped paying as much attention to your pet as you used to
Housebreaking a dog after a relapse is a lot easier than housebreaking a dog for the first time. It will also take less time.
Put him back on a regular walking and feeding schedule and try not to overfeed him (which is not a good idea anyway). Every time you take your dog outside and see that he did his business, praise him. I can't emphasize enough how important praise is if you want to reinforce a certain behavior.
If you feel you were neglecting your dog for a while, try to give him extra attention. Buy him a new toy. Play with him a little longer than you have lately.
Here are some more tips for housebreaking a dog...
Learn more about How to Housebreak an Adult Dog
I don't think crate training is necessary after a relapse but if the above suggestions don't help, well, then keep on reading…
Housebreaking a Dog for the First Time
If you adopted a dog and are not sure if a setback he experienced is a temporary relapse or he was never housebroken, assume the latter.
Housebreaking dogs that were never housebroken is very similar to housebreaking puppies. But there are differences... Because an older dog has stronger bladder and bowel control than a young puppy, you don't need to take him outside every 2 hours. On the flip side, old habits take longer to break.
Visit puppy potty training to learn how to housebreak puppies and dogs.
To speed up housebreaking a dog…
- Establish a feeding and walking schedule (I talk about the importance of a schedule in housebreaking puppies)
- You definitely will need to employ crate training (visit crate training your dog if you are not familiar with crate training techniques)
There are several types of dog crates on the market.
For housebreaking a dog, wire crates like
Designer Color Wire Homes are my favorite.
Wire crates are easier to clean than airplane and portable crates and they provide better ventilation and visibility to your pet. Visit puppy crates to learn more about types of crates and how to pick the right crate for your dog.
Housebreaking a dog will take time. Along the way, there will be setbacks.
When you clean up, unless you get rid of the smell of your dog's urine and feces, your dog will most likely relieve himself in the same spot in the future.
A household cleaner may remove the stain, but will not get rid of the smell. Ammonia, because it's a natural compound found in urine, is even worse. For this reason, use only specially designed products to clean up your dog's mess.
Visit dog urine remover to learn more about urine cleaners.
For more house training advice, including plenty of information aimed at older dogs, visit the Ultimate House Training Guide.
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