Beiseker Animal Control

House Training

Some essential house training facts:

• Adult dogs can be housebroken in the same manner as puppies
• Puppies have a limited bladder control

• Dogs like to sleep in a clean area and will rarely urinate or defecate on their bedding.
• Dogs do best when kept to a regular schedule.
• Dogs have to go to the bathroom :

• they wake up
• within 30 minutes of eating
• before they go to sleep
  

If a dog or puppy isn't allowed to relieve itself at those times, it will most likely have an accident. Don't wait for the dog to "tell" you that it has to go out. Just assume that he does and put him outside.

The first step is to start a regular feeding schedule. Confine the puppy for after eating for 10 to 15 minutes , then take her her outside. I say "Go pee", then praise after she eliminates.  They do understand, and will learn to pee on command. 

Always take the puppy out the same door, the one you are going to want him to signal at. If you wish to bell train your puppy, hang bells on the door, and give them a kick every time you open the door. They will learn to swat them to get the door to open. A young pup must never be sent out to pee, he must be taken out.

Crate Training

Crate training is not putting your dog/puppy in a "cage" or "jail", and you are not being cruel if you follow these tips. Dogs feel secure in small, enclosed spaces, like a den. Dog crates make excellent dens.

A crate offers your dog security, a den with a roof, and a place to call his very own where he can go to get away from it all. It is also a safe place for him to stay when you're away or when you cannot watch him.

There are basically just a few steps in crate training and they are as follows:

1. Choose a crate the same size as your puppy/dog. He should only have enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down. His crate is for sleeping or for a safe place to be when you cannot be with him. If you have a large breed puppy, you may have to buy two different size crates or purchase a crate with a divider you can move as he grows.
2. Use a single-word command for your dog to enter his crate and throw in a treat or piece of kibble. When he enters, praise him and close the crate door. Gradually increase the time he spends in the crate before you let him out. Remember, your dog still needs time to play and eliminate. Maintain a regular schedule of trips outdoors so as not to confine him too long.
3. As a general guide, your puppy can stay in his crate comfortably for several hours, depending on his age. Take his age in months, add 1, and that's how many hours he should be able to stay in his crate (up to about 8 hours). For example, a 2-month old puppy should be comfortable in his crate for about 3 hours.
4. Providing your dog or puppy with a crate that is way too large may allow him to relieve himself in one end and sleep in the other. Placing food or water in his crate will allow him to fill up his bladder and bowel and he will have no choice but to relieve himself in his crate. Make sure you take your dog or puppy outdoors to eliminate on a regular schedule and especially prior to being left for prolonged periods of time. Always take your dog outside on a leash to the same area in your backyard to eliminate so you can praise him when his job is finished. This will take the guesswork out of his visits to the backyard.

Also, don't forget to play with your dog and exercise him. He needs this kind of stimulation for his mental and physical wellness.

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