Article Written By: Maria Lopez
Whatever sort of breed of dog that you have, you'll see that potty training your dog is a difficult task, possibly the most difficult. Just like it is with children, potty training takes a while and you'll have to take time to teach them where to use the bathroom. If you want your dog's best, then you'll need to take them out often.You will want to early on develop the habit of taking your pet out to relieve himself, and do it regularly. This will help them associate outdoors with going to the bathroom. They won't necessarily immediately obey this, but they will begin to make the connection if you're habitual about it.Everyone wishes that theirs would be the "lucky dog," the one that can hold their bathroom needs for eight hours or so, but that dog doesn't exist. Puppies need to go out frequently, and you'll need to keep a vigilant eye on them as they will telegraph when they need to go. Keep your eyes peeled and you can circumvent accidents.One other tip trainers don't make good use of is the role that diet plays in potty training your dog. Doing so will make their digestive system fluctuate, and thus their routine will be off. If you want to potty train, you'll need to keep their dietary intake really consistent. It will also be good for their system in general, as they will be able to digest their food without problems.Though every dog parent would lavish their puppy with treats only based on cuteness, this is a bad idea. Again, it boils down to making a change in their diet, and improving their behavior. You only want to "treat" them when they're obeying you, otherwise you'll have trouble on your hands.The thing most owners don't realize is the power of commands - so train your dog to understand "go outside." You'll have to take your dog out for exercise. That's when you want to be sure that you are asking them if they want to go outside. Be sure to use this phrase when you take them to the potty. This will help them to associate the phrase with relief.Once you are potty training your dog, you'll want to also praise your dog when they do relieve themselves in the right way. Keep reinforcing this behavior, so that they will begin to understand that outside is the right place to do that. You can punish them for doing this inside, and give them praises when they are telling you they need to go outdoors.
This Article Has Been Published on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 and Read 325 Times