House training tips by Maria Coulson
Last year we bought a Yorkie for my mother who lives alone. She was exited about getting a puppy but her excitement did not last. The first time the pup soiled her living room carpet, she began to regret having brought him home.
What to do?
Housebreaking may sound painful but it really is not all that difficult. The first thing you want to do is to be sure your pet is healthy. Your dog should be checked for overall healthiness and for conditions that would make house training difficult, such as cystitis and kidney or bladder dysfunction.
The most important part of housebreaking your pet is close supervision. This is necessary because your puppy learns by repetition. For a one month old puppy, take it outside or designated area at least every hour, for a two month old puppy, take it at least every two hours, and so forth. You will soon figure out your puppy's schedule.
Another key to housebreaking is giving your dog a limited amount of space. Baby gates across doorways or a pet crate help to make a more confined area and help your pet to recognize this as his living space. Their natural tendency is to go outside of their own living space to urinate so making this association for your pet will make training easier. Lining this space with old news papers or better yet, with training pads available at your pet store (they are relatively inexpensive and make cleaning up a lot easier than newspapers) is a good idea
Also be aware that some surfaces are more pet-friendly than others. Try to confine your new pet to areas of the home with tile or vinyl floors which are much easier to clean. Avoid letting them have access to carpet or hardwood floors which retain odors and can be extensively damaged by an errant pup.
It is your dog's natural tendency to want to keep its living area clean so once the home is firmly established in your dogs mind the problem will be resolved. There are several ways you can do to make the process move faster.
Remember to limit the amount of water your dog drinks at the end of the day or you will take a walk with your pet in the middle of the night. Always use a consistent keyword to tell your pet why you are out in the yard such as "potty" or "toilet" or anything you choose. Do not go indoors until your pup has relieved itself. And give lots of praises.
Again consistent training is the key. If your pet does have an accident indoors, correct the animal immediately and then clean the area using non-ammonia based products. Instead use an Enzyme based deodorizer to clean the area and remove all odor of the accident or your pup will repeat the behavior again.
If you follow these simple rules, your carpets and your new pet should be able to coexist peacefully and relatively free from stress.
For more information visit www.OfficialYorkieSite.com
About the Author
Maria has been interested in dog issues since she bought her first pup more than 30 years ago.
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