In The Beginning....WHAT???

What method of house training are you going to use that will best suit you and your household? This is the second most important thing to consider before getting a dog or puppy, but usually the most overlooked. Too many times house training has turned into a battle instead of a positive experience, giving the dog a feel of a negative environment from the moment it comes home.

To give an example, this usually happens when a child is, from the beginning, expected to handle all the 'potty' work, or perhaps promises to faithfully take on this chore. Then reality sets in, and they can't or won't do it all on their own, and tensions start to rise, setting a negative environment for the new dog or puppy.

It is important to remember that puppies do not go to the bathroom inside because they are stupid or dumb or want to be bad. The do it because they are too young to have any type of control and haven't been taught how to have control. Overall, a little preparation can actually go a long way to avoid this tension and make the training process easier.

Below are some tips that can help make the house training experience easier to deal with for everyone involved.

1. When you get your new puppy, whether from a breeder, or a neighbor, ask and make sure they have already started some type of house training. For example, putting them outside every morning, after meals or naps to go potty and then praising them when they do a good job.

2. Buy an inside dog kennel and perhaps even a baby gate or two to help keep the new puppy confined when you are not watching them.

3. Always feed dry food, and if you prefer a brand different then what they are eating now, make the switch gradually, mixing the food over a period of time until they are completely eating and adjusted to the new food. Just switching foods will upset little tummies, even older ones, and can make for a sick and unhappy puppy or dog.

4. If you don't want it messed up, don't put a new puppy or pet in an area where you have carpet until fully house trained. This is a no brainer ~ tiled floor or hardwood floors are best.

5. Figure out a workable feeding schedule and stick to it, DO NOT get into the habit of leaving food out at all times. This encourages over eating and obesity and bad eating habits.

6. Always take out to go 'potty' immediately after eating in the place you want them to learn to go, make sure it is in the same area.

7. DO NOT play with the puppy until after the puppy goes 'potty'.

8. If the puppy doesn't go 'potty' within 10 minutes, bring inside and place in kennel for 10 minutes then take back out again. If for some reason they go 'potty' in the kennel, clean the mess promptly, and just be ready for the next time to go out potty.

9. When taking out to go 'potty' take them out of a leash to the place you want the puppy to go so that the puppy learns to do it under your control.

10. Realize that going 'potty' requires a schedule ~ first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and after every meal and nap.

11. Keep the area the puppy or dog goes potty in clean ~ pick up the poop everyday after they have taken care of business.

12. It's important to realize and know that failures in house training are HUMAN mistakes, not puppy and dog mistakes.

13. NEVER EVER punish for mistakes.

14. If you don't have the time or the patience for the rigorous schedule of house training, then perhaps now is not the right time to get a new puppy or dog. You can also take into consideration getting a dog from a rescue and adopting one that is already housebroken. However, you still need to be prepared to teach the new dog the 'potty rules' in your home, so time and pateince is still required. You can't just turn them loose and expect them to know what to do.

15. If a puppy reaches around 5 months or so, and is still having accidents inside, make sure there is not a physical or medical reason for this such as intestinal parasites, illness, or bladder infection that can cause the failure of recognizing the signal for when the puppy needs to go outside.

Really giving these tips serious consideration will help in preparing you for before you bring home your new puppy or dog. If you KNOW you are ready to accept that house training is a family activity, whether single or a parent with children in the household, then continue on to the next important topic in making sure your home is ready for your new family member...In The Beginning....HOW???