Fear Free

Whether you are house training a puppy or an older dog, essentially the same process applies to training. The only difference being puppies and geriatric/older dogs need to empty their bladders more frequently than adult dogs. We have compiled some handy advice and information below to help you through the house training process:

Supervision is Key:

To maintain a fear-free approach in training we do not recommend using punishment as a tool in house-training – if you punish a dog for toileting in the house they are more likely going to to hide where they do it next time making it more difficult for owners to identify the signs that they need to go out. Supervision is key to housetraining.

Routine:

Ensuring you have a good routine in place and frequent trips outside will help. Ensuring to praise dogs when they toilet outside – but make sure they are finished before you praise them. If interupt them with praise too early they will likely end up bringing half a full bladder back inside making another accident indoors more probable.

It is normal for dogs to need outside at frequent times through the day, for example, after sleep,, after food, after playing…the more awake and active the dog, the more they will need to go.

Look For Signs:

Ensure to monitor the dog – there are always signs, some more subtle than others. for example puppies circling, becoming vocal, going to an outside door, can easily be missed.

Cleaning:

Ensuring any urine is well cleaned using non-bio cleaner from carpets and floors prevents dogs going back to those spots as they smell traces of urine. It is worth being mindful that a lot of the sprays available to buy mask the urine smell for humans but do not remove the urine scent for the dog.

Aids:

Puppy pads are an excellent tool – provided pups are not left unsupervised or risk eating them. Puppy pads are most effective once dog has passed urine – using the pad to soak it up allows the urine smell to remain on the puppy pad. This encourages dogs to go agin in the same place.

Once you have established a frequent use of a puppy pad you can begin to slowing move it towards the outside door – and eventually to using it outside. Once dog is regularly going outside you can remove the pad.

For male dogs ‘pee posts’ can help as they are specifically designed to hold the urine scent for male dogs and can be good to encourage dogs to go in particlar spot, or area, of the garden.

Accidents:

Accidents still happen when house training, however your dog is frequently having accidents you should speak to your vet in case this is a sign that something needs checked out.

Professional Training:

If you require assistance with training, we recommend Lothlorien Dog Services.

Other Useful Links: 

Fear Free Pets: house training your dog the Fear Free way.

Pet Professional Guild: potty training basics for puppies and dogs.