Dogs provide their owners with a great deal of happiness, companionship, loyalty, and more. While there are many benefits to owning a dog, every dog owner knows how challenging and stressful it can be to try and house train a new dog or a new puppy. House training a dog is a process that will surely take time, but patience is key. Here are some of the top ways to patiently house train your new dog.
#1) Provide a Predictable Routine
One of the best ways to patiently house train a new dog is to provide a predictable routine. This routine should include eating at the same time, drinking water at the same time, and most importantly, using the bathroom at the same time. The longer you have a routine in place, the easier it will be for your dog to train their bladder. They will expect to go at the same time every day.
In addition to a predictable routine, you should ensure that you provide your dog with a routine of where to enter and exit the house when they need to use the bathroom. While many of us do not have a doggie dog for easy access, try to use the same door to let your dog out. This will give your dog a great place to stand and bark if they need to use the bathroom. A simple sliding interior door or exterior door can make house training much easier.
#2) Use Training Pads
While the main objective is to get your dog to go to the bathroom outside of the house, this is not always going to happen. If you have a puppy, it may be best to start out house training with pads. These training pads are designed to create a predictable place for your dog to use the bathroom as you work on getting out of the house in time. These pads are absorbent and will help protect your house from getting soiled with waste.
#3) Control Diet
If you are having a difficult time house training your new dog, the issue could be with its’ diet. The type of food you feed your dog and the amount of food you feed your dog may make it difficult for them to hold it all in their stomachs. If you notice that your dog is having a particularly hard time holding its bladder, try switching the type and amount of food you give them. You can always ask your vet for recommendations about which food is best for them.
#4) Praise
Using praise is a great way to help make house training an easier and more fun time for you and your dog. Positive reinforcement through treats and verbal praise will help show your dog what you expect. If they see that you are happy and that they get rewarded for using the bathroom outside of the home, they will be more likely and more willing to continue doing it.
You will need to praise your dog a lot at first. Offer them a treat simply for trying to go outside for at least the first week. Then, you can give them a treat only when they go to the bathroom for another week. After that, you can back off and give them a treat sporadically, as long as the behavior continues. Using treats a lot at first is a great way to get them in the habit of going to the bathroom outside.
#5) Observe Your Dogs Habits
If you are going to house train your new dog, it is crucial that you take note of every behavior they do. Keeping a daily log and journal about what your dog eats and drinks and how they act before, during, and after eating and using the bathroom can help you create a predictable routine that works for you and your dog. Dogs will be able to hold their bladder, but they will also give you signs about when they need to go. Listen to your dog and observe what they do so that you can help encourage them.
House training a dog takes a lot of work and patience. These tips can help make sure that house training your dog is a success and as least frustrating as possible.
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