By Emma Dylan
Owning a dog is a rewarding experience, but it comes with challenges, too. One of those challenges is house training. It can be difficult to teach your dog where he or she should relieve him or herself, but it’s not impossible. Here are 10 easy ways to make the process a little bit easier for both you and your furry friend.
- Choose the right time to start training. Make sure you’re starting when your dog is young enough to learn, but not so young that he or she isn’t able to control his or her bladder and bowels yet. A good rule of thumb is to start training around 6 months of age. This is also a good time to start socializing your dog, which will make the training process easier.
- Have realistic expectations. It’s important to remember that your dog is not going to be perfect from the start. There will be accidents. The key is to be patient and consistent with your training.
- Choose a designated potty area. It’s important to have a specific place for your dog to go to the bathroom. This will make it easier for him or her to understand where he or she should go. A good place to start is by taking your dog to the same spot in the yard each time.
- Be consistent with your commands. When you’re training your dog, it’s important to be consistent with the commands you use. Stick to one word or phrase, such as “go potty” or “do your business.” This will help your dog understand what you want him or her to do. You should also be consistent with the hand signals or body language you use.
- Reward your dog for good behavior. One of the best ways to train your dog is to reward him or her when he or she does something right. This could be a treat, a toy, or simply some verbal praise. Dogs are very food motivated, so treats can be a great way to get your dog to listen to you.
- Don’t punish your dog for accidents. It’s important to remember that accidents are going to happen, especially in the early stages of training. Punishing your dog will only make him or her afraid of you and less likely to listen to you in the future. If your dog has an accident, simply clean it up and move on.
- Keep an eye on your dog. It’s important to be vigilant when you’re house training your dog. Pay attention to his or her body language and take him or her outside frequently, especially after meals and naps. This will help you catch your dog before he or she has a chance to have an accident in the house.
- Be patient. Like we said before, accidents are going to happen. The key is to be patient and consistent with your training. The more you work with your dog, the better he or she will get at it. If you get frustrated, take a break and come back to it later.
- Get help from a professional. If you’re having trouble house training your dog, there’s no shame in getting help from a professional dog trainer. A trainer can give you valuable tips and guidance that will make the process easier for both you and your dog. You can also enroll your dog in a reputable dog boot camp in Elk Ridge or elsewhere.
- Be prepared for setbacks. Even if you’re doing everything right, there may be times when your dog has an accident. It’s important to not get discouraged and to keep up with the training. If you stick with it, eventually your dog will get the hang of it.
Owning a dog is not just about having someone to cuddle with- it’s also about being responsible for another living creature. Part of that responsibility is house training your dog. It’s not always easy, but with patience and consistency, it can be done. Use these 10 tips to make the process a little bit easier for both you and your furry friend.
Do you have any other questions about house training your dog? Comment below and we’ll do our best to answer them!
