Brent Goodman asked:


How long will it take to housetrain my puppy?

The amount of time it takes to housetrain your puppy is primarily dependent upon you. Do it right and it shouldn’t take long at all – perhaps just a few weeks. Dogs, like babies, are unique – some “get it” right away and others don’t. The key, though, always – is you.

What is the best way to potty train puppies?

Like most veterinarians, I strongly believe that crate training is the best way to housetrain your puppy. The concept behind crate training is that dogs do not wish to soil the place they sleep or spend time so they will try to “hold it” until they are out of their cage.

There a few important things to remember with crate training:

1. Make sure your crate or cage is properly sized for your puppy. If it is too big, he will go to a corner to relieve himself and lay in the non-soiled part of the cage. If you have a wire cage, consider a divider panel, which reduces the size of the cage during training but can be removed to allow your pet more space after he is trained.

2. Do not put food or water in the cage.

3. Take your puppy outside immediately after you open the cage.

4. Whenever your puppy is not under the watchful eye of a responsible family member, he should be in the cage. This is difficult since you will want your new puppy “around,” but it’s well worth the few weeks it will take to train him. No puppy should have the run of the house until he is completely trained.

Are there other training options?

Yes. Many people housetrain their puppies using puppy training pads. These pads are treated with a chemical that encourages puppies to relieve themselves on the spot, making cleanup very easy and keeping carpets and floors clean. When you see your puppy go into his “pre-potty” routine – sniffing the floor, circling an area, etc., gently pick him up and place him on the pad.

When the pads are used consistently, you can move them closer to the door and/or place another pad outside where you want him to go. This method transitions the puppy from going in one place in the home to going one place outside the home. This method may take longer before there are no accidents since your dog does not only associate the outdoors with going to the bathroom.

I live in a high rise and can’t get my puppy outside for potty training. What are my choices?

People that live in cities, apartments, and high rises often train their puppies to relieve themselves using training pads, as described above. The only difference is that the pads are used all the time instead of for a transition phase.

How long can puppies “hold it” during the day?

All dogs are different, but generally, puppies as young as 8-9 weeks can control their bladders and bowels for up to seven or eight hours, if necessary. We would never recommend leaving a puppy unattended in a crate for that long, however, and encourage working people to come home during their noon hour or find someone who can let their puppy out during the day.

What is the “psychology” behind housetraining a puppy?

Like most training, it’s about consistency and positive reinforcement. Use specific verbal commands to communicate what you want your dog to do, and use the same command all the time. For instance, say “Outside?” when it’s time to go out to do his business, and once there, pick another word or short phrase like “Do It,” or “Hurry Up” to have him do his business.

As soon as your puppy eliminates, praise him! Let him know that is exactly what you wanted him to do. Then, take him back inside right away so he only associates the word “Outside” with going to the bathroom. A few minutes later you can take him out to play.

What is the most important thing to do when housetraining?

Unless you catch your puppy in the act of making an accident in the house you should NOT punish him, yell at him, and please, do not take your dog to the spot and put his nose in it! First of all, if your dog had an accident it is YOUR fault, not your dog’s. You should have been watching more closely. Secondly, your puppy will have no idea why you are mad at him. He’s gone to the bathroom hundreds of times before and was always praised. “Place” is not a concept he understands fully yet, so punishing him for something that is natural and no big deal for him only confuses him. Just clean it up and forget about it.

If you do catch him in the act, quickly but calmly pick him up and without raising your voice, say “No!” and take him outside or to his papers. When he finishes, praise him.

My puppy does great sometimes, but is still having too many accidents. How can I get him to be completely potty trained?

Until your puppy is accident-free, he is not housetrained. Even though you thought you were about done with this stage, you must go back to the same level of monitoring and training (even if it means repeating crate training) you were doing at the beginning of the training, except you need to do a better job this time around since something didn’t work. Be patient. Don’t lose your temper. You’ll get there. The better you do, the better your puppy will do.

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John Burns asked:


Once you arrive home with your puppy there will inevitably be a period of adjustment, but even during the first week or two your new arrival can begin to learn what is considered acceptable behaviour in your home – where it is supposed to go to the toilet, what it is allowed to chew, where it can sleep and so on.

Some people do not mind having their dog on the couch. For others, a pet on the furniture would be unacceptable behaviour. The same holds true for begging at the table, jumping up at people, and other objectionable behaviours.

Decide at the start what your household policy will be, enforce it from these first early weeks and most importantly be consistent.

Failure to teach your dog the rules of the house when he is young can result in an unmanageable adult dog.

If you have decided that your puppy is going to sleep in a dog bed or crate, make sure you enforce that behaviour from day one. Your puppy might cry in response to separation from mother or litter mates. A hot water bottle and plenty of TLC should provide a little extra comfort.

Teaching your puppy where you expect him or her to go to the bathroom is probably the most critical part of training

The best method of toilet training is to take your puppy out within several minutes after each meal, after each nap, and after playing. These are predictable moments during the day when bowel and bladder are most full.

Feed your puppy at scheduled mealtimes and avoid snacks between feedings if at all possible. Allowing your puppy continuous access to food or water makes house training more difficult. Prevent “accidents” between meals by taking your pup out before the accidents occur.

The outward signs a puppy may show include circling, squatting, whimpering, sniffing the floor or sneaking off and heading for the door, and he must be taken outside immediately to perform. If you’re not quick enough, the puppy should still be taken outside to finish the act.

It is best to walk your puppy within 15 minutes or sooner after each meal. Take him out to the same spot each time. If your puppy is too young to walk on a leash, carry him outside to an enclosed, safe area. Stay nearby and play with or pet him.

Praise immediately once the task is completed. A few tasty treats offered when the puppy goes in the right place can encourage good behaviour. These then can be given intermittently and then stopped after training has been successful.

Don’t be fooled if your puppy happens to get it right for the first few weeks. Start now, and stick with it until your pup really has no accidents. Toilet training isn’t great fun, but it is crucial.

Chewing if often a headache with pups, and many a carpet or chair has suffered from the ravages of puppy teeth. Initially, a puppy will use his mouth to investigate his environment, and throughout the teething process, it gives a puppy relief to chew on all manner of items. Providing appropriate items for your puppy to chew on can sometimes be a simple way of solving the problem.

At a very young age puppies begin to learn how much pressure with their mouths is too much by the reactions of their mothers and litter mates. When puppies play, they bite each other’s ears and chew each other’s necks, until one bites down too hard. Then, the bitten puppy lets out a piercing cry, gets up and walks away.

This teaches the biting puppy that when it is too rough, play ends. If it is you that the puppy is chewing, the moment the pressure increases use a high pitched cry, leaving your hand in his mouth. Once the pressure is released, slowly remove your hand and praise him, offering a suitable chew toy in exchange.

Socialisation training is the other aspect of behaviour that needs reinforcing early on. Key experiences during the first three months of life will form the basis of how the puppy relates to and interacts with many individuals that they will come across in their future lives such as:

• Adults and children

• Other dogs and puppies

• Different types of pets, livestock and horses

• And not forgetting the postman!

Also during this period puppies get used to the every day hassles of life which include:

• Household noises and appliances

• Cars and traffic

• Crowds

• Periods of separation

Unfortunately the primary course of vaccinations for puppies will only be completed at about 11 to 12 weeks of age, which leaves only a small window during the last month of the critical ‘sensitive developmental period’ to achieve socialisation.

The aim of training is to achieve a puppy that is friendly and eager to meet people and other animals. You can then build on this by preventing bad behaviour, ignoring or distracting unwanted actions and rewarding and praising good behaviour. Hopefully, this will produce a dog that is a pleasure to own.

AdviceDogTraining.com asked:


Hey, I’m in the process of putting together a website full of free articles regarding dog training. One of my stupid New Year resolutions.

I was going to concentrate on providing tips for people with problem dogs (mainly adults, because people love puppies). The feedback I have from friends is that I should target Puppy training issues ?

So what do I concentrate on – Puppies or Adult Dogs ?
Sorry, here’s what I’ve got so far, I think it’s coming on : http://www.advicedogtraining.com.

Blair Stephens asked:


When and How Do I Train My Puppy?

Anyone who has ever had a dog knows that training a new puppy is a challenge, but essential. With any new dog, puppy training starts the day that you bring your new pet home and continues for months as they continue to learn the basics becoming a part of the family. By the time you bring your new puppy home they are ready to learn. In fact, puppies can be trained from a very early age as long as we don’t expect too much of them right away. By natural design the mother dog has been educating her litter for several weeks, preparing them to survive on their own. By seven weeks the puppy’s development allows him to leave the mother and ensures the strongest human ties and best socialization possible. Older puppies may be less inclined to attach to humans right away, but eventually with love and affection and our constant interaction the bond will be just as strong. No matter what age you bring your puppy home, the important thing to remember is that they are ready to learn, they just need patience and practice!

Dog training at this early stage will focus on the essentials; house training, chewing, digging, jumping, and learning to wear a collar and walk on a leash. The most important thing to remember about training your puppy is that you are creating boundaries and establishing house rules that will be in place for a lifetime, making your time together the best possible. The groundwork you lay today will allow you to have a wonderful, productive relationship with your dog every day.

Responding To His/Her Name:

The first place to start training is to begin training your puppy to respond to his name being called. You can begin by calling the puppy’s name as you feed him his meals so that the puppy starts to associate his or her name with his food- a good thing! After a few days you can change the order, so that you call his name, wait for him to look at you, and then give him a treat. Once he’s responding on a regular basis, you can phase out the treats, using your voice (good puppy!) and your and petting to praise him and let him know that you are pleased with him. Treats can still be used on an unpredictable schedule as a reward, but the puppy is responding to your voice and praise more than looking for his payment of the food or treats. Having your dog recognize his name and respond by looking at you will prepare him for dog obedience, puppy training classes and more!

House Training

On his first day in your home you should begin house training your puppy. Most people are surprised, but house training is one of the easiest things to teach a dog. Because dogs are clean by nature and do not want to soil their ‘den’, it can be particularly useful to use the crate method of house training. The first thing to keep in mind with house training is that you must supervise your puppy closely and give the pup the chance to go outside when he has to relieve herself.

Young puppies are not ready to have full access to your whole house, it will overwhelm and either intimidate or over-excite them. One of the biggest pitfalls in house training fails is when people allow their puppy more freedom than he can handle within the home and don’t supervise his initial experiences going potty outside. It is important for owners to set aside time to take the new puppy out, watch them go and bring them back in so that the puppy begins to understand how you want them to handle their natural urges. We can give a general outline of what you can need to do to maximize house training, remember that you should always consult a professional trainer to guide you through the process.

Method One: Crate Training

You can tap into the puppy’s natural desire to be clean and not soil the area in which he sleeps by using a crate. Using a crate to replicate the safe, secure “den” environment can aid your house training efforts, as long as he is given the opportunity to get out of his crate when necessary.

After hooking the puppy to a leash, let him out from the dog crate and take him out to the area, the backyard, a nearby park or green space, where you want him to ‘go’ or ‘eliminate’. If he goes, praise him. If he does not then put him back into his crate and try again in about 15 minutes or so. Continue with this dog training cycle, building a routine for you and your dog. If an outing is successful, then you can allow the pup some freedom for twenty minutes or so and you can gradually extended the time as he grows older and more reliable about not having accidents in the house. Remember a seven-week-old puppy does not have a great deal of bladder control, so accidents are nearly impossible to avoid completely. You can not expect the puppy to go more than a few hours without having to eliminate, and don’t expect him to wait once he is out of his crate to go, instead take him straight outside to avoid any problems.

Before taking your puppy out for the first time, decide what word or phrase you would like to associate with his behavior or action that you desire. In the beginning, the puppy won’t understand the word, but if you use “hurry up”, or “go potty” and continue to repeat the phrase until he goes, praising him/her when it happens, your puppy will learn to associate these words with the action. Later, when in a hurry or inclement weather you can use the cue word to get your dog to relieve himself in quick time, without having to wait in the scorching sun, or freezing rain.

Method Two: Crate Training with Doggy Door

Another, and many say easier, method for house training is to use a crate with a dog door and an enclosed dog run. First, you position the dog crate against the dog door which will allow the dog to go out whenever he needs. Because his small size, the dog door may need to be taped or otherwise rigged up so the puppy can comfortably go through the dog door. With the crate set up to the dog door, your puppy learns quickly to let himself out of his containment area to relieve himself. This method also helps him develop some independence always having his human to watch over him. One important thing to consider with this system is that when you first let your puppy out of his crate, you should still take your puppy immediately to the outside area so that he can go. Even though your crate has access to the outside, puppy may have been resting and not recently “emptied out.” It won’t take much excitement or physical movement for the puppies need to “go” to be present and we don’t want mistakes that could easily have been prevented.

When the pup isn’t in his crate, you need to use constant supervision to keep him from having accidents. The best way to have a constant eye on your puppy is to literally tie or tether the pup to your waist with a leash or line, or you can tether him to a piece of furniture, but be sure that he has no more than three feet of freedom in any direction. Remember that a puppy tethered to furniture should be watched carefully or he may chew it. Crating, supervising and tethering are examples of management systems used to support the dog until he is fully trained.

Because dogs are inherently pack animals, they prefer to be with us rather than to be alone. Most cases of adult “separation anxiety” would never develop if the dog, as a puppy, had been trained in the one of the management systems just described because early on the puppy would learn to deal with being alone, handling is own needs, without access to chew or destroy things. Give it a try and see if it benefits your new puppy and your family.

Remote Collar Training:

Have you wondered if using a remote electronic collar can work for training a puppy? The answer is, yes. Why? Because the Sit Means Sit remote collar training system, developed by Fred Hassen, is a proven, effective and gentle training method tailored individually to your dog’s needs. Dog training, obedience, puppy, and even agility training are well suited to the remote collar training method. Sit Means Sit uses the better quality remote collars on the market, which means that these are fully adjustable for different dogs. The remote collar is used as a cue system similar to a tap on the shoulder that says “yoo-hoo” to someone in an effort to let them know you are talking to them. In other words, the collar is never used with a puppy as punishment, but instead as a means to successfully gain the puppy’s attention. In any case, you should seek a professional’s advice and aid in this type of training to avoid any elements of confusion for your pup.

Is there a specific age at which dogs can begin remote collar training? No. Common sense will tell you when your dog is physically coordinated enough to go for walks on a leash, which is a good indicator that he is ready for further training. Another indicator may be when he is active enough that you feel he is ready for more advanced training. He’s your pup knowing when he is ready for further training is personal choice akin to whether your child is ready for kindergarten. Some children are ready at just under five while some need another year. Pups, like kids, mature at individual rates. He’s your puppy, enjoy him but remember he needs rules, supervision, attention, exercise, good positive mental outlets, good food and lots of rest to grow up strong, healthy and well behaved!

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John Lim asked:


Puppy training is very important, regardless if it is your first puppy or your 10th puppy. Training a puppy may also be easier than training an adult dog because a puppy doesn’t have any knowledge on previous training techniques or other issues. On the other hand, sometimes a puppy can also be more difficult to train simply because it may not comprehend what you are trying to teach or be too young to absorb the lessons.
Puppies are also easily distracted because everything is new to it. The environment, the people, the things around, the other pets – these are all distractions to a puppy simply because it is very curious about everything! With this in mind, it will be best to keep training sessions quick and short. Each training session should also ideally end on a positive note.
Socialization is important!
As a puppy, socialization is also important. Be sure to expose your puppy to other puppies, dogs and even pets. This will reduce any likelihood dog aggression as your puppy will know how to deal with its surroundings. Socialization training will help in educating your puppy on how to play with other dogs properly and how aggressive play with other dogs in the play group is not acceptable and will lead to punishment.
As the puppies play with each other, they learn what is appropriate (and what is not). All undesirable and inappropriate puppy behavior (hard biting or scratching) is punished by its siblings, by the puppy’s mother or both. However, in this day and age, many puppies are separated from their mothers (to be sold or adopted) before this natural socialization can take place.
Hence, this is why socialization and puppy training sessions are important. It may make a huge difference to your household and your relationship with your puppy and dog. After all, you would want a puppy or dog that is obedient and responsive to your commands.
You may begin socializing your puppy by taking a trip to the local pet store. Check to make sure if the pet store allows you to bring your puppy to get used to new sights, sounds and smells.
Positive reinforcements
Puppies should be rewarded for good behaviors and not rewarded for being a delinquent. Do not reward a puppy just because it has a cute behavior. For example, it may be cute when a puppy jumps on people, but this cuteness will wear off immediately if your puppy grows into a 100 pound dog! So it will be wiser to reward your puppy for sitting instead of jumping on people.
These positive reinforcements can also be used in potty training for a new puppy. For example, teaching a puppy to do its “business” on certain surface is a good technique. If your puppy gets used to pooping on gravel or asphalt surfaces, it will be reluctant to use other surfaces such as your home carpet as potty.
A calm environment
If you are bringing home a new puppy for the first time, it would be great if everyone in the family is present. It would also be best to make sure that the house environment is calm, unlike during festive or holiday seasons. Otherwise, there will be too many distractions and the puppy will not get the attention it needs.
Once a puppy becomes part of the family, it will need to learn more about the home environment. For example, if there are stairs, your puppy may not know how to climb properly. So as an owner, you will have to slowly build your puppy’s confidence. Start at the bottom of the stairs and slowly work up the steps day by day. Do not expect it to climb all the way to the top on its first day! In general, a wide stairway may be less intimidating for the puppy.

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Amber Lowery asked:


One of the first things you do with a brand new puppy is getting your new puppy potty trained. Luckily, puppy potty training doesn’t have to be a huge pain. This piece will cover a few tips on potty training your new puppy.

At first, you need to know that puppies are similar to kids and they will create messes because they don’t know any better and Aren’t familiar with their bodily urges. Your puppy isn’t trying to soil on your living room couch; he just doesn’t know that he has to go potty.

A puppy’s ability to notice their need to go to potty as they get older, much like kids. potty train your puppy faster by making up a schedule for your puppy to adhere to. Take the puppy out at consistent times every day so that the puppy becomes familiar with a regular schedule.

If you work outside of the home, you can expect there to be accidents while you puppy is potty training. You can aleviate this some by putting down newspapers for your puppy to relieve themselves on, but it will take training for the puppy to understand this is only for emergencies. When mistakes happen (and they will), don’t get upset – just tidy up and disinfect the area.

You can notice ahead of time some of the signs that your puppy needs to be let outside. When you notice your puppy acting a certain way, it should be time to take them out.

Here are signs that your puppy needs to go potty:

* Your puppy is restless

* Puppy is sniffing a place they had previously gone potty

* Your puppy is fussing

* Distracted at play

Puppies are unique, you will soon learn to spot the signs in your puppy. When your puppy begins to exhibit this potty sign it is time to take them out for a walk and direct them to go in the place you want them to use.

If your puppy does good, remember to praise him. Positive reactions reinforces to the puppy that they have done the right thing and will make them eager to do it again to get more praise.

Although housebreaking your puppy can be hard, it is just a matter of being dilligent and patient with your new puppy long enough for their minds and bodies to grow up and adhere to your training. With patience and enough time, your puppy will become housebroken and accidents will be a a thing of the past.

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Amber Lowery asked:


One of the first hings you do with a new puppy is get your new puppy potty trained. Thankfully, potty training your puppy doesn’t have to be that hard. This article will show you some tips on potty training your puppy.

First, you need to understand that puppies are like babies and they simply make mistakes because they don’t know better and can’t understand their urges. Your puppy doesn’t mean to ruin your good carpet; he simply doesn’t know that he has to go potty.

A puppy’s ability to feel the urge to go potty develops as they age, much like children. You can help your puppy potty train faster by developing a schedule for your puppy to follow. Take the puppy out to go potty at the same times every day to allow the puppy to become accustomed to a schedule.

Especially if you are not always home during the day, you can expect there to be accidents while you puppy is potty training. You can help minimize the mess by putting down newspapers for the puppy to relieve himself on, but it will take additional training for the puppy to know this is for emergencies. When accidents happen, don’t get angry – just clean up and disinfect the area.

You can learn to notice some of the signs that your puppy needs to be taken out for a potty trip. When you see your puppy acting up in a certain way, it may be time to take them out to relieve themselves.

Here are some signs that a puppy needs to go potty:

* Showing Restlessness
* Sniffing at a spot they had previously soiled
* Puppy is Whimpering and wining
* Puppy is distracted from play

As each puppy is different, you will soon learn to recognize the signs in your dog. When your puppy starts to show this potty signal it is time to take them out for a walk and direct them to go in the place you want them to use.

When your puppy does good, remember to praise him. Praise displays to the puppy that they have done the right thing and will make them happy to do it again to seek more praise.

Although potty training your puppy can be dificult, it is just a matter of being consistent and patient with your new puppy long enough for their minds and bladders to mature and train. With patience and time, your puppy will potty train and accidents will be a problem of the past.

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mortician asked:


I have the most stubborn Golden Retriever. She, Zoe, Turns 1 years old tomorrow on Valentine’s day. I’ve tried clicker training, obedience school…even the dog whistle had no effect on her when I thought the whistle was very powerful to a dog’s ear. So, other than those I’ve mentioned, what is the best training device to use now? Those shock collars? Invisibal fence? WHAT!?? lol. I mean, she is the kind of dog that KNOWS what is wrong but does it anyways behind our back and then hides! LMAO. Thanks.
Oh sorry about that…

She needs help with coming when called, not biting people and other things like trash, chasing and beating up my cat…you know, the usual puppy training.

You know what is funny? She can play dead…that was easy to teach her…but all the others are hard lol
i know north…that is why i am asking for help and not my dog

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Connie Limon asked:


House training a shih tzu puppy is very important for the well being of both the shih tzu puppy and the owner. The number one reason that dogs are surrendered to animal shelters is problems with inappropriate elimination, so it is easy to see why proper house training is such an important consideration.
It is important to establish proper toilet habits when the shih tzu puppy is young, since these habits can last a lifetime, and be very hard to break once they are established. It is very important for the owner to house break the shih tzu puppy properly. In most cases, true house training cannot begin until the shih tzu puppy is six months old. Puppies younger than this generally lack the bowel and bladder control that is needed for true house training.
Shih Tzu puppies younger than six months should be confined to a small, shih tzu puppy proofed room when the owner cannot supervise them. The entire floor of the room should be covered with newspapers or similar absorbent materials, and the paper changed every time it is soiled. As the shih tzu puppy gets older, the amount of paper used can be reduced as the shih tzu puppy begins to establish a preferred toilet area. It is this preferred toilet area that will form the basis of later house training.
The Do’s of House Training Your Puppy:
Always provide the shih tzu puppy with constant, unrestricted access to the established toilet area.
When you are at home, take the shih tzu puppy to the toilet area every 45 minutes.
When you are not at home or cannot supervise the shih tzu puppy, you must be sure the shih tzu puppy cannot make a mistake. This means confining the shih tzu puppy to a small area that has been thoroughly puppy proofed. Puppy proofing a room is very similar to baby proofing a room, since puppies chew on everything.
Always provide a toilet area that does not resemble anything in your home. Training the shih tzu puppy to eliminate on concrete, blacktop, grass or dirt is a good idea. The shih tzu puppy should never be encouraged to eliminate on anything that resembles the hardwood flooring, tile or carpet he may encounter in a home.
Praise and reward your shih tzu puppy every time he eliminates in the established toilet area. The shih tzu puppy must learn to associate toileting in the established areas with good things, like treats, toys and praise from his owner.
Always keep a set schedule when feeding your shih tzu puppy, and provide constant access to fresh, clean drinking water. A consistent feeding schedule equals a consistent toilet schedule.
Using a crate can be a big help in helping a shih tzu puppy develop self control. The concept behind crate training is that the shih tzu puppy will not want to toilet in his bed area.
And finally, it is important to be patient when house training a shih tzu puppy. House training can take as long as several months, but it is much easier to house train right the first time than to retrain a problem dog.
The Don’ts of House Training Your Shih Tzu Puppy
Never reprimand or punish the shih tzu puppy for mistakes. Punishing the shih tzu puppy will only cause fear and confusion.
Do not leave food out for the shih tzu puppy all night long. Keep to a set feeding schedule in order to make the dog’s toilet schedule as consistent as possible.
Do not give the shih tzu puppy the run of the house until he has been thoroughly house trained.
House training is not always the easiest thing to do, and some dogs tend to be much easier to house train than others. It is important, however to be patient, consistent and loving as you train your shih tzu. A rushed, frightened or intimidated shih tzu will not be able to learn the important lessons of house training. Once you have gained your shih tzu puppy’s love and respect, however, you will find that house training your shih tzu puppy is easier than you ever expected.

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