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Techniques for Housebreaking Dogs
Many older dogs need to be re-housetrained after adaption. Housebreaking dogs is similar to housebreaking young puppies, but there are differences.
If after adopting an older dog you discover that he was never housebroken, be patient. Old habits take time to unlearn.
On the other hand, if your dog was housebroken in his old home, the stress of moving to a new environment and being surrounded by new people may trigger a temporary setback.
Housebreaking older dogs that were house trained in the past will be easier than housebreaking dogs that were never trained to eliminate outdoors, but if you are patient and follow my suggestions, you will succeed with any dog!
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Before You Bring your Dog Home...
If you don't already have one, I strongly encourage you to buy a dog crate -- it will make housebreaking a dog a lot quicker and less damaging to your household.
When you bring your dog home for the first time, put him on a leash and walk him to a place where you plan for him to eliminate in the future. Let him do his business before you take him inside.
Here is a short video of an adopted Greyhound brought to her new home for the first time...
Learn more about How to Housebreak an Adult Dog
Housebreaking Dogs
Put your dog on a regular walking schedule. In most cases, 2 to 3 times per day is sufficient. I take my dog for a walk when I wake up, after I come home from work and just before I go to sleep.
Once you pick a bathroom area for your dog, always take him there first. With time, he will learn what you expect of him when you take him there. And don't play until after all his business is done.
Why is a regular schedule so important when housebreaking dogs?
Because it speeds up training.
I also find positive reinforcement very helpful at speeding up the housebreaking process.
Every time you take your dog for a walk and he eliminates, praise him. To reinforce the behavior even more, give him a treat. But do it right after, and only if, he eliminates.
By the way, positive reinforcement is beneficial not only when housebreaking dogs. It will speed up any type of dog and puppy training. The benefits of positive reinforcement are explained very well in this dog behavior and obedience training guide.
Crate Training
Crates are usually used to housebreak young puppies, not adult dogs. Nevertheless, a crate is still the most valuable tool for housebreaking dogs.
Why are crates so valuable for housebreaking dogs?
Because by nature, dogs are den animals and don't like to eliminate where they sleep.
Use this fact to your advantage when housebreaking older dogs.
If your dog was never housebroken, chances are he was also never crate trained. Visit crate training your dog to learn about crate training for older dogs. Another good source of crate training information is this house training eBook.
A Setback. Now What?
It's OK to reprimand your dog when he messes up, but do it only if you catch him in the act. Otherwise, he will have no idea why you are so upset.
When you reprimand your dog, never scream or hit him. Being too harsh will only confuse and scare your dog. And because he doesn't know why you are so upset, it will take a lot longer to housebreak him.
And don't forget, unlike a young puppy, an older dog can fight back and attack you in self-defense.
So, if you catch your dog in the act, voice your displeasure. A simple "No" and a "Bad boy" or a "Bad girl" in a firm voice will do. Then, put on his dog collar and leash and take him outside. If he does the rest of his business outside, praise him.
When housebreaking dogs, there will be numerous times when you will need to clean up. But unless you get rid of the smell, chances are that your dog will eliminate in the same spot in the future.
Household cleaners may get rid of the stain, but not the smell. For this reason, avoid all household cleaners, especially the ones that contain ammonia.
What you need is a commercial dog urine and feces cleaner to remove the stain and the odor.
In my opinion, when housebreaking dogs and puppies, a good urine cleaner is not a luxury, it's a necessity! Visit dog urine remover to learn what to look for, and what products to avoid, when you shop for a urine cleaner.
You will find additional tips on how to housebreak a dog and how to handle house training "accidents" in this Ultimate House Training Guide. It's the most comprehensive book on housebreaking dogs, and a lot of the information in there is aimed towards housebreaking older dogs.
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