The process of potty training a dog can turn out one of two ways. 1) It can be difficult, and grueling, and an un-enjoyable task, or 2) it can be fun, simple, and great bonding time between you and your pup. Some dog owners would disagree, and say that potty training a dog is difficult. However, there is more evidence and owners who state otherwise.
But before we venture too far into the actual tactics of potty training (or housebreaking), there are some things that need to be covered first. These are very important attributes of potty training that you need to keep in mind at all times:
-You Need a Positive Attitude.
-You Need to Maintain a Calm Emotional State.
-You Cannot Give Up.
You must contain these three attributes when you approach the task of housebreaking, or else the experience will be terrible for you. If you keep these in your training mind-set, you’ll find that potty training your dog will be easier, quicker, and a lot of fun for your bonding time.
Your Positive Attitude:
Keeping a good attitude is essential. Dogs can sense stress as quick as you can sense that a burner is hot if you put your hand on it. If they realize that you’re in a bad mood about something they’ve done, their confidence can be shot, and they’ll feel bad about what they’ve done; even if it’s nothing at all. You may be wondering how you can maintain that good attitude. One way you can do that is by writing down your goals for your dog in simple (dog centered) achievements like, “Foofoo will have less anxiety in the house because she’ll be trained to go outside to use the bathroom.” Or something of that sort.
As you recite these goals to your self each time you feel negativity come creeping in, imagine your dog happy, and playful. That way you’ll feel more positive about the whole experience.
Your Calm Emotional State:
You need to be excited for your puppy; however, be moderate in the negativity (such as discipline). Not saying that you don’t discipline harshly. Just keep this in mind throughout the potty training process: your dog is just that; a dog. Dogs will make mistakes all the time, especially while they’re learning. The process about potty training a dog; you’re not programming a machine. With most machines, you can set it and forget it; this is not so with your dog.
Whenever your dog makes a mistake, never (under any circumstance) explode in anger. Blowing up could strike fear in your dog toward you, and then training can become a nightmare for both you and your puppy. Make sure you use calm discipline, stress-less vocal inflections, and your dog will mimic those traits. Your dog will feel more confident about the entire process of potty training.
Giving up is a No-No:
You are not allowed to backslide! Yes, it’s true, potty training a dog can be a long and tiresome chore. In fact, some part of the process depends on the breed. Depending on what kind of dog you have, it could go extremely long. Don’t freak out though, the general age to full potty trained maturity for most dogs (as shown by dog training specialists) is about 6 – 8 months. Will you need to train them every single day of every month? Yes! This takes time and diligence!
One part of the training process is keeping an eye on them while you potty train them. Potty training a dog can be quite a long process, and some dogs will be quicker than others, but you need to be diligent regardless.
In conclusion, these three traits are things that you need to cultivate as you train your dog. They’re primary on your part, and if you keep them in mind, you will have a healthy and happy dog, not to mention cleaner carpet, floors, and a nicer smelling house. But that’s secondary to a good relationship with you.
This is the hard-to-swallow truth: your dogs happiness depends on the healthy boundaries that you set for him or her. If he or she doesn’t have boundaries, there’s more anxiety, and health problems. It’s essential to gain the knowledge on how to train your puppy well. Click Here if you’re interested in learning how you can teach your dog how to live longer, stronger, and a happier life.
Recommended Reading
Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies & Adult Dogs Author: Lori Verni
Housebreaking and Training Your Puppy (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin, a-242) Author: Michael Kelly
Housebreaking and Other Puppy Problems Author: Katharine Kennedy
Housebreaking: Pure and Simple Author: Mark Katz, Dru Katz
