Housebreaking Behavioral Approach
Contents |
INTRODUCTION
Housebreaking a puppy, when done correctly, should take no longer than 7 days. Understanding "when", "where", and "why" a puppy eliminates will avoid potential mistakes. Dogs are creatures of habit therefore a strict schedule will make housebreaking much easier. Just like a child, a puppy should not have the run of the house. Keep the puppy in sight at all times or alternatively in his crate. I see a crate as the doggy equivalent of a child's playpen.
What you need to know
Behavior
- Innate Sense of Cleanliness - dogs are actually quite clean and prefer not to eliminate in their sleeping area.
- This starts with the dam keeping the puppies' nest clean.
- Then the breeder keeps the puppy area clean once the mother stops.
- You maintain this by crating your puppy when you are not home or can't watch him.
- Pre-elimination Behavior - dogs have a characteristic set of behaviors prior to urinating or defecating. This involves circling and sniffing to find just the right spot.
Physiology
- Gastro colic Reflex - defecate 15 minutes following eating.
- Need to Urinate a) on waking, b) after playing or c) after a heavy chewing session.
- Strong Sense of Smell - stimulated to urinate and defecate by the smell of their own urine or feces.
Strict Schedule
| Feeding - 8 to 16 weeks of age | 4 times daily |
| 16 wks to 6 mos. | 3 times daily |
| > 6 mos. | 2 times daily |
Leave food down for 15 minutes and then take it away. Puppies should be fed at exactly the same time each day especially when trying to housebreak.
Elimination Time - I expect a puppy to hold his bladder overnight and for a maximum of 4 hours during the day when no-one is home. While out of his crate at night, you can expect:
| 2 to 3 months of age | Out every 2 hours |
| 3 to 4 months of age | Out every 3 hours |
| 4 months to 1 year | Out every 4 hours |
| > 1 year | Out 3 times daily |
What doesn’t work?
- Pushing his nose into it - unfortunately no connection is made.
- After the fact punishment is useless and counter productive. If you catch your puppy in the act of eliminating, use a sharp command to close his sphincter and take him directly outside to his assigned spot to finish the process.
- If you expect to have your dog eliminate outside do not paper train.
- Yes! Even a 10 week old puppy can handle minus 30C temperatures for short periods of time. In fact it might motivate him to get on with it.
A housebreaking training schedule
7 AM
- On waking take the puppy outside immediately to a specific spot in the yard on a leash. Ignore the puppy until he urinates, then PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE.
- Bring the puppy back inside, put down his food for 15 minutes and go about your morning business.
- Pick the food up after 15 minutes and take the puppy outside to defecate as above.
- Put the puppy in his crate and go to work.
12 PM
- Puppy goes directly out to his spot to urinate (as above).
- Bring puppy back in, feed and out again in 15 minutes to defecate.
- Back into his crate when you go back to work.
5 PM
- Home from work
- Repeat as 12 noon.
- Keep puppy out of the crate but in a room with you to watch for the preelimination behavior.
- Puppy goes out at 7 PM and 9 PM & after either a heavy play or chew session.
11 PM
- Feed. Directly after eating or in 15 minutes, pick up the food bowl, take puppy outside to his specific spot to urinate and defecate.
- Bring puppy back in and put him in his crate overnight.
- GO TO BED.
Adjust the training schedule to fit into your lifestyle but do so using knowledge canine behavior, physiology and utilizing a strict schedule.
GOOD LUCK.
