How to House Train Your Dog

You can ‘house train’ your dog successfully, and with a minimum of headaches, when you create a structured routine. Dogs learn through repetition and consistency. Let’s discuss the basics of house training now along with some examples of what a good routine looks like.

MORNING

Always take your dog out on a leash first thing in the morning and lead him to where you want him to relieve himself. This should be as close to the same spot or general area each day as possible.

Why?

Because you’ll also be lavishing him with plenty of praise once he goes, and he’ll learn to connect relieving himself outside with positive feedback from you. Once you’re back indoors, let him relax, have a drink of water or follow you through your morning routine until time to leave for work.

When it is time for you to leave the house, confine him to a crate or small room. Dogs don’t like soiling their living areas and will try to avoid doing so when confined. There will be set backs, though, and this is part of the training process.

AFTERNOON

Schedule another outdoor break for lunchtime. If your dog has relieved himself in his crate or room, do not yell at him or scold him. Instead, clean up the mess right away, and take him outside.

What this does is teach him that he can “hold” his bathroom urges and trust that you are coming back to let him out on a predictable schedule.

EVENING

Regular feeding, watering and exercise are vital throughout the house training process. Try to set dinner time to be the same time each evening. After dinner, take your dog outside for an extended play period.

Allow him plenty of fresh water, but remove both the food and water bowls by 8:00 p.m. If necessary, you can schedule one more quick outdoor break before bed time

Some final points:

House training requires that you provide your dog a regular feeding and exercise schedule, as well as a consistent schedule for outdoor trips.  If you are unable to make it home from work during the day, you may want to consider hiring a trustworthy friend, relative or pet-sitter to come by while you’re away.

Try to stick to routine as much as possible during this process, right down to using the same door to go outside each time. Last but not least, remember to give your dog lots of love and praise for a job well done!