A quick and easy guide to take the mystery out of house training offered by Academy of Canine Behavior, Bothell, Washington, (206) 486-9567

There are three different categories that fall under the concept of house training:


Basic house training--This applies to establishing an allowable toilet area for puppies or older dogs that are new to your home. Problems can include both urination and defecation.

Submissive wetting--This relates only to urination that occurs when greeting or disciplining, or if the dog is highly excited.

Marking--This can include defecation, but is more commonly a urination marking problem. Both male or female dogs can display this behavior. It is only seen in dogs that have reached puberty.

If your dog has a problem with submissive wetting and is older than four months, or if your dog is displaying marking behavior, we would suggest you contact us for an evaluation. The evaluation will help determine why there is a problem. There is no charge for this service.

House training
If you are committed and prepared from the first moment you introduce your new puppy or dog to your home, it should take about two weeks to achieve appropriate house training behavior.

If you have a puppy or dog that has already developed a bad habit in house training, new reliable behavior will take at least six weeks to establish.

Always make sure there are no medical problems complicating issues. Any type of urinary tract infection or intestinal upset makes house training difficult at best. Some medications can also interfere with the process.

Diet can be very important. Some foods can make it more difficult to house train a dog.

Toilet areas can be as general as an area outside, or as specific as a litterbox. You must have a clear idea, however, of what is an acceptable toilet spot before you start educating your dog. And yes, your dog can be trained to use only a specific corner of the yard if you are willing to take the time to train your dog to that level of understanding.

Your attitude is probably the most important ingredient in the formula of house training. You are taking your puppy or dog through a process of education. He does not know that it is wrong for him to use your carpet as a toilet. His mother never told him. It is not pre-programmed into his genetic coding. It is your job to help him understand the whole concept. Do you speak "dog"? He doesn't speak "people". This language barrier is best conquered with patience and understanding.


Create a schedule
-1.You are creating a schedule for your dog. Create one that is convenient for you!
-2.Do not feed your dog free choice meals while establishing a house training schedule. Keep all meals on a predictable schedule. Snacks and treats should be kept to a minimum while setting a schedule. And avoid any "rich" foods that could upset the bowels of your dog.
-3.Establish a bed time and waking-up time. Try to stick to these times as close as possible.
-4.Young dogs need a lot of nap times; make sure the schedule provides for these. Keep in mind, the dog will need to be taken out after all naps.
-5.Anytime the dog has been emotionally stimulated (i.e. badly scared or frightened, a very rowdy play session), she may experience the need to eliminate.
-6.Most dogs will be able to "hold it" for eight hours during the night within two to three days, but daytime schedules have a lot more variables. Pay attention, supervise and educate your dog and you will establish a daytime schedule you both can live with.


Supervise in the house
-1.If you know where your dog is at all times, and what he is doing, you can catch him before he makes a mistake.
-2.If he starts to make a mistake, firmly but calmly say "No" and take him straight out to the toilet area. Do not yell at him or chase him.
-3.If you are busy and cannot totally supervise your dog; put him in a contained area where he won't make a mistake, or tie him to a doorknob in the area you are in.
-4.If you are sitting watching TV or reading, have the dog with you or on a leash. This way, the dog cannot wander into another room and make a mistake. Before you relax, give your dog some of his toys to play with, so that he learns that being with you is pleasant.


When supervision is not possible (gone to work all day)
-1.Provide a small area to contain the dog in (e.g. a small bathroom with all temptations removed, a fenced-off corner of the garage or a crate).
-2.Do not leave food with the dog, and do not load the dog down with "doggie cookies" just before you leave.
-3.If you are gone for more than eight hours, it would be good to find someone who can go in and give him a drink and a chance to relieve himself.


Take your dog out
-1.Take your dog out to the desired toilet area and stand quietly while the dog investigates the area for the right spot. This is not play time! Do not distract the dog by trying to talk him into "hurrying up". Three to five minutes is the length of time you should give the dog. If he doesn't go in that time, return him to the house, contain him another half hour, then try again.
-2.When he does start to potty: quietly and calmly praise him while he's in the process of going. Use the word you have chosen for this (e.g. "good potty").
-3.When he is finished you can praise him with more enthusiasm.
-4.Learn your dog's habits. Some dogs need to "potty" two or three times per outing. Urination is often followed by defecation.
-5.If the weather is foul and you are not happy about having to take your dog outside, it is very important not to let him sense this. You may create a dog that doesn't like using the outside as his toilet in foul weather.
-6.While you are learning your dog's individual habits, take him out when he wakes up, after he has eaten and after all play sessions.


When you catch the dog in the act
-1.Quietly, but very firmly say "No". If you must add volume to get the dog's attention, clap your hands.
-2.Help the dog get outside to the appropriate area.
Follow the preceding instructions for taking the dog out.
-3.Clean the mess with an odor neutralizer or an odor killing product. The dog's sense of smell is much better than ours. If it smells like a toilet area to the dog, he will continue using that area for a toilet.


If you find a mess later
-1.Realize that the dog wasn't properly supervised.
-2.Put the dog on a leash and calmly bring her to the scene of the accident. Keep the dog to your side, not in front of you, while the dog is watching, quickly and very firmly scold the potty. Do not scold the dog.
-3.Blot up some of the urine on a piece of paper, or pick up some of the stool with a tissue, and take it and the dog out to the appropriate toilet area. Place the paper with the potty on the ground and with the dog watching, praise it for being in the right area. Then leave it there.
-4.Clean up the remaining mess as previously described.

Crate training has long been accepted by professional trainers and veterinarians as one of the quickest and least stressful ways to mold desirable behaviors in dogs. Although many new dog owners initially reject the idea of using a crate because they consider it cruel or unfair to the dog, a crate helps to satisfy the dog's denning instinct while being the answer to many problems faced by dogs and their owners.


What is a dog crate?
Recommended type of crate -a plastic "airline carrier". Plastic is easy to clean, lightweight, and doesn't squeak like the metal crates do when the dog moves inside them. They are generally more comfortable than a wire crate, and make the dog feel more secure. Crates come in a variety of sizes proportioned to fit any type of dog. It's just big enough for a dog to stand up, lie down and turn around in. Its purpose is to provide confinement for reasons of safety, housebreaking, prevention of destructive behavior, or travel. The crate is a place for the dog to be when no one is around to supervise. It is the dog's bed and sanctuary.


Why use a dog crate?
Correctly and humanely used, a crate can have many advantages for both you and your dog

You...
Can enjoy peace of mind when leaving your dog home alone, knowing that nothing can be soiled or destroyed--and that she is comfortable, protected and not developing any bad habits. Can housebreak your dog quickly by using the confinement to encourage control, establish a regular routine for outdoor elimination, and prevent accidents at night or when left alone. Can actively confine your dog at times when she may be under foot (i.e., when you have guests, at mealtimes), over-excited, or bothered by too much confusion or too many children. Can travel with your dog safely and be assured that she will more easily adapt to strange surroundings as long as she has her familiar "security blanket".

Your dog...
Can enjoy the privacy and security of a "den" of her own, to which she can retreat when tired, stressed or ill. Can avoid much of the fear, confusion and anxiety caused by your reaction to problem behavior. Can more easily learn to control her bowels and to associate elimination only with the outdoors. Can be spared the loneliness and frustration of having to be isolated, in the basement or outdoors, from indoor family surroundings when being restricted. Can be more conveniently included in family outings and trips instead of being left behind alone.
Because dogs are highly social animals, it is important that they are indoors much of the time, even when you are not home or are sleeping and can't interact with them. Your dog needs to feel that she is a part of the family, and that feeling of belonging comes from being included in family activities and living in the house even when her family may not be there. A crate allows you to leave her in the house when you are away, or unable to supervise her. If she were to spend large amounts of time outside, she would very likely start to exhibit problem behaviors such as barking, digging, fence jumping and chewing. These problems can be avoided by keeping her inside and making her an integral part of the family.


Use but don't abuse
Confinement in a dog crate is not recommended for a dog who must be frequently left alone for extended periods of time, such as all or much of the day while you are at work or school. Four or five hours while you go shopping, or overnight so you can sleep without having to worry about what the dog is doing is fine. If the dog must be left for longer periods of time, she should be confined to a larger area, such as a basement, secured room or exercise pen. Crate or no crate, any dog constantly denied the human companionship she needs and craves will be lonely and will find ways to express anxiety, depression and stress.


Crate specifics
Crates can be obtained from most pet supply stores, some department stores, or you can check the newspapers to see if you can find a used crate at a lower cost. The cost of a crate may seem expensive at first glance, but remember that it will last for the lifetime of the dog. Also compare it to the cost of losing furnishings and carpets to a dog's unrestricted behavior.

Your dog's crate should be just big enough for him/her to stand up, lie down and turn around in. If your dog is a puppy, you will need to estimate her adult size and buy a crate that will be big enough for her as an adult dog. Then put cardboard boxes and replace them accordingly. To size a dog for a crate, stand the dog next to the crate. The top of the crate should extend two inches above the dog's shoulders. The end of the crate should be two inches from the dog's rump. Perfect fit.


Introducing the crate
Place the crate in the most often used room in the house, such as the kitchen or family room. At night, move the crate into your bedroom. Make the crate as comfortable as possible, with a blanket or towels for bedding. Leaving the door open, try to coax the dog into the crate using a phrase like "Get in your bed". Place a treat in the crate and praise the dog when she goes inside to get it. Let her leave immediately if she chooses. Spend time by the crate, talking to the dog and petting her as long as she's in the crate. Stop this attention when she leaves the crate.

Once she seems comfortable going in and out, close the door with her and some treats inside. Stay with her, talk to her, and give her treats if she seems nervous. At first, confine the dog for short periods. If she whines while in the crate, do not let her out. If you do, you have just taught the dog she can get her way by being vocal. Wait until she becomes quiet before releasing her. As she begins to positively regard the crate, the time periods can lengthen. Soon the dog will find comfort and security in her "den".

Crate training a dog takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a week. Puppies usually accept their crate quicker than adult dogs, but with persistence and patience any dog will soon view the crate as a secure and safe haven. Although not an answer for all behavior problems or a substitute for your personal time spent training the dog, a crate will help your dog form positive behaviors and become an important member of your family.