Just A Thought: When getting a pet, do the paperwork
I think the leading cause of neglected dogs is the inability of owners to properly housebreak a puppy. After trying to train a puppy and being unsuccessful, some pet owners get exasperated and then stop trying. When this happens, one of two things will follow. Either the owner will keep the pet outside, which sometimes leads to neglect, or they will find someone else to take in the animal.
The old belief that physical punishment is the answer to housetraining adds to the inability. The key to successful housebreaking is prevention and not punishment. Remember that dogs want to please. The hard part is making them understand what you want them to do.
A veterinary exam with urine/fecal check is recommended. Your puppy’s state of health will affect its ability to be successfully trained to be housebroken. If your puppy does not receive a clean bill of health, it is important to know that some physical conditions, such as cystitis, bladder infection, etc., can impede successful housetraining. These conditions need to be treated before training begins.
Puppies are actually unable to control the muscle that allows them to ‘hold it” until they are twelve weeks old. Until that time, puppies need to use the bathroom about six times a day. Prepare to take your puppy out at least that many times a day but especially after they eat. Food puts pressure on the colon and bladder.
Do not allow a puppy free run of your house. Until the puppy is trained, this will make it easier to keep an eye on him at all times. When no area is available, a crate or cage can be used.
When your puppy does relieve himself in an area that is not allowed, do not show disapproval unless you have caught the puppy in the act. When you are unhappy with your puppy, it assumes that whatever it is doing at that exact moment is the thing that upset you. Puppy owners must make it clear then that the act is wrong. After the act punishment does not work.
When caught in the act, harsh physical punishment is never recommended. The tone of your voice is enough. A firm ‘NO” is all that is needed. Physical punishment will only make training harder. Immediately take your dog outside to the appropriate place. If your puppy goes outside, use lots of praise.
If crate training is the option, do not leave your puppy in the crate/cage for long periods of time. If you work all day, it is important that you find someone who can take your puppy out for a long walk during the day. If this is not possible, find a room that would be suitable to leave the animal in during the day. Encourage your puppy to use housebreaking pads in this room.
The crate should be large enough for the puppy’s bed but not any larger. When left alone, a puppy does not want to soil its bed. Immediately after returning home or waking up the next morning, take the puppy out for a long walk. The crate will teach a puppy to control its urge to eliminate.
When the puppy is out of the crate, watch for signs that your puppy needs to eliminate. They will start sniffing excessively and turning around in circles. If a puppy wanders out of the room, they may be looking for a good spot, so watch your puppy. If he exhibits these symptoms, take him outside immediately.
Within a few weeks, you and your puppy will be well on the way to a happy stain free home. Having a puppy is hard work and training them is even harder. If you do not have time to spend training a puppy, don’t get one.
Lisa Chapman is a reporter for the Standard. She can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].