Welcoming a small dog into the family is similar to having to supervise a toddler. How to housebreak a dog is just one of the many questions that flood a new dog owner. Basically, it should be said that it only works with appropriate consistency and a bit of knowledge so that the little four-legged friend does not become a disturbed bundle of fur or a yapping despot. You can have a lot of joy with a dog, but it needs not only fun in life, but also training, which brings us back to the connection with children.
How do I train a puppy correctly?
In the animal world, too, training is communication, and anyone who observes their puppy attentively can quickly find out when it wants to do its business. By nature, dogs are not "nest soilers" and look for a place outside their sleeping area. If they leave it, it may be out of curiosity, but at this age, it will always be associated with at least a small puddle. Therefore, be attentive, and when the little guy wakes up and gets up, make sure he gets out into the garden immediately. Since walking would take too long for the little legs, it is best to just carry him. Once he has arrived there, you should do the following:
- Take him to a place where he can concentrate on his business in peace
- Let him sniff
- Do not play with him or distract him
- Praise him duly when the business has been done
The praise in particular will remain in your dog's best memory, and if you reward him with a small treat every now and then, it will surely work by itself soon. The older and bigger the dog gets, the sooner he can, of course, walk to the "toilet" himself. If you take him to the same place at regular intervals of about 1.5 hours, he will initially do it there more by chance, but after a while, this place will become a habit for him and he will know why he is there.
General training tips for housebreaking a dog
Although you should have plenty of time when you get a puppy, you still cannot sit next to the animal all day and watch it. Therefore, an old child's playpen or a small puppy fence from a pet store would be quite useful. In it, the little one can sleep – cuddled up on a suitable soft pad – and pass the time until you are there for him again. Do not try to lock the dog in the kitchen or bathroom just because you can keep everything clean there. This does not promote the dog's sensitivity, which tells him that he has to be careful in the apartment. With patience and prudence, success will be visible in a short time and the little four-legged friend will report voluntarily.
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
