Potty Training A Dog
Is there anything fun about potty training a dog? Probably not! As smart as dogs are, they are still animals and don't understand the value of your expensive carpeting or how difficult it is to clean up their messes. They also don't understand the difference between inside and outside and why they need to relieve themselves in one area and not the other. To them, the world is their bathroom!
But knowing that your dog is just doing what he or she does naturally certainly doesn't make potty training a dog any easier. You can't sit your dog down and have a conversation with him or her and explain these things, and you can't keep it in a diaper like a child! So how can you make the process smoother for everyone involved? Consider a few quick tips.
Reward the Good
Far too often, potty training a dog involves only punishing the dog when he or she leaves messes inside. While this can be appropriate, the dog needs to associate a reward with relieving himself or herself in the right spot. Punishment is only half the process; reward is a necessary part as well.
So every time your dog does the right thing and goes outside to take care of business, give it a reward. This doesn't need to be an edible treat but it can be a good vigorous rub on the belly or scratch on the head. Words of praise are also important since dogs can sense their owner's tone of voice and body language.
If you remember to reward their good and right behavior when potty training a dog, then you'll be more successful. They'll get the message about what they should do and this of course is vitally important, as well as learning what they shouldn't do.
Be Patient
Nobody likes to find a mess on the carpet when potty training a dog and many wish they could just command their dog to do their business outside and be done with the entire process. However, it's never this simple and losing your patience will only make things worse for everyone involved.
Yes, your dog needs to know that relieving himself or herself in the home is unacceptable and inappropriate. However, remember that you're training your dog, and training means teaching them what to do. It doesn't mean just punishing them when they do something wrong. Training your dog that the home is not their toilet doesn't mean going overboard with the punishments or hurting them. Think of when you needed to learn something new; didn't the impatience of the instructor as you went through the process make it that much more difficult for you?
So remember to be patient when potty training a dog and to be consistent. He or she needs rewards for the good behavior as much as being scolded for the bad. If you keep these points in mind, you'll see the process is much less painful for everyone!
