House Training in the Canine

House Training

The instinct of a puppy dog is to urinate and defecate away from the immediate den area which is the place reserved for rest, play and feeding. This natural habit can be seen as early as 3 weeks old but can be easily be lost by poor training. Thus it is between this 1 and 3 months that the foundations of later success or failure in house-training are laid. The challenge of training a puppy is easier than that of overcoming reversal of house training in an adult dog, but both require a good sense of timing, kindness and a systematic approach to feeding and exercise.

Puppy Training

Crates

These replicate the environment of mother’s den, and usually inhibit the toileting reflexes. Crates offer a safe human-free zone for the puppy that they can call their own. Crates can be a useful investment to control a number of potential behavioural problems.

Timed Exercise

At 1-2 hourly intervals through the day, take the puppy outdoors to the spot or surface intended as the long-term toileting zone. Exercise can stimulate both urination and defaecation.

Wait

Watch and be patient.

Reward

Praise witnessed urination and defaecation with titbits and a unique "password" such as "busy", but not "good boy".

Play

Play with the puppy after successful urination and defaecation (i.e. more reward), then return indoors.

Meals

Meals stimulate the gastro-intestinal reflexes, so perform steps. Do not feed after 6pm, thereby reducing the need to ‘go’ overnight.

Punishment

This is usually misunderstood by puppies, and has disastrous side effects. Don’t under any circumstances rub noses in ‘it’.

Toilet Training Adult Dogs

Illness

This can disrupt accustomed toileting habits: check with your vet.

Organisation.

Apply the above points to the adult as though a puppy.

Fibre

The content of the diet affects the volume of faeces formed : feed on a low fibre diet, such as meat and white rice.

Exercise

Excercise away from home, the more the merrier. If unable to run free, use an extending lead.

Isolation

Isolation from you may provoke anxiety and involuntary toileting. If mistakes occur only when the dog is alone, view advice on Behaviour - Destructive

Food

This is the best deterrent to indoor toileting: feed on the spots previously soiled.

Cleanliness

This greatly assists training by removing odours of past toileting episodes. Use an enzyme-based cleaner or a solution of biological washing powder.

Problem Avoidance

Do Not Paper Train. The classic newspaper method always complicates and disrupts the natural tendency of puppies to toilet outside the home. It is a misleading invitation to ‘go’ indoors. Start with the puppy as you intend the adult to perform.

Good Citizenship. Responsible ownership means not letting your dog toilet in public places, or a least cleaning up afterwards. Training enables you to direct toileting to harmless areas like the compost heap. Otherwise, pick up your dog’s faeces.