Tony Robinson

House training is one of those issues that every dog owner must
grapple with. In most cases house training is the first major
milestone in the relationship between owner and dog, and it can
sometimes be difficult and confusing for owner and dog alike.



The best house training procedures are those that use the dog's
own instincts to the owner's advantage. These strategies take
into account the dog's reluctance to soil the spots where he
eats and sleeps. This is the concept behind den training and
crate training. Dogs are very clean animals, and in nature they
always avoid using their dens as toilet areas.



These kinds of natural training methods generally work very
well, for both puppies and older dogs. Naturally, older, larger
dogs will need a larger area for their den, and crate training
is generally best used for puppies and small dogs.



When house training a dog or a puppy, however, it is important
to pay close attention to the signals the dog is sending. It is
also important to be consistent when it comes to feeding times,
and to provide the dog with ready access to the toilet area you
establish on a regular basis.



It is important as well to never try to rush the process of
house training. While some dogs are naturally easier to train,
most puppies and adult dogs will experience at least one or two
slip ups during the house training process. When these accidents
occur, it is important to not get mad and punish the dog.
Accidents during house training usually mean that the owner is
trying to move too fast, or that the dog has been left alone for
too long. In this case, it is best to just take a step back and
start the process again.



It is also important for the owner to reward the dog
enthusiastically when it does its business in the appointed
area. The dog should learn to associate doing its business in
its toilet area with good things like treats, rewards and praise.



During the house training process, the den area starts out very
small, often as small as half of a small room in the beginning.
As the dog learns to control his bladder and bowels better, and
the owner learns to anticipate the dog's toilet needs, the den
area can be slowly expanded. It is important not to make the den
area too large too soon. The den area must be expanded slowly in
order for the house training process to move along smoothly.



It is important for the dog to be properly introduced to its
den. Many dogs, particularly those who have never been confined
before, such as those who have spent their lives as outdoor
dogs, may react to the den area as if it is a prison, and
constantly whine, cry and try to escape the den. It is important
that the dog learn to accept its den as a home and not a cage. ]
One problem many dog owners overlook when house training a dog
is that of boredom. Boredom is actually the root cause of many
behavior problems in dogs, including chewing and other
destructive behaviors. Boredom can also be the root cause of
problems with house training. Dogs that are bored often consume
large amounts of water during the day, and this excess water
consumption can lead to the need to urinate often, even in its
den area. Since soiling the den area goes against the dog's
nature, he can quickly become confused and frightened, thereby
setting the house training program back even further.



To prevent the dog from becoming bored when you are away from
home, be sure to provide him with lots of different kinds of
toys, as well as a safe and secure place to sleep. In addition,
a vigorous period of play time can help the dog sleep while you
are away. In addition, playing with the dog in its den area will
help him bond with this area and recognize it as a safe, secure
home.



About the author:


Tony Robinson is an international author and dog lover. His
website http://www.dogtraining4u.com contains valuable insights
into the life of our canine friends.





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