Table of Contents
Training your dog is never easy. Or is it?
Let’s be honest: most of us have had a little bit of a “NOPE” moment while training our dogs. That is not to say that we don’t love them, it is simply that training your dog takes a toll on everyone involved. What is the right way to clip dog nails, how can I wash them without getting my floor (and myself) soaked, and what is the right way to trim their hair?!
I am sure you have a lot of questions, so please be patient and read the following article about the right way of training your dog.
How long does training your dog take?
Well, I don’t want to promise anything as there are a number of factors when it comes to this such as the consistency of training as well as the character of your dog. some are quick and eager learners while others like to take it slow.
On average it can take your puppy between 4 to 6 months to be fully housebroken, but it can reach up to 1 year in some cases. Just don’t lose patience and keep up that positive attitude.
Professionals recommend that you begin house training your puppy when they are between 12 and 16 weeks old. This means they are young enough to respond to your commands.
Negative threat method
As mentioned above, this is sadly still an ongoing method used in training dogs till this day. I will not go into the details, but i just wanted everyone to become aware of this method in order to avoid certain actions related to this.
- Yelling or screaming at the dog if it has made a mistake
There are two methods that are commonly used to train dogs. The positive enforcement method and the negative threat method.
- Using physical violence if a dog has eliminated inside the house or has chewed furniture or something similar.
- Punishing the dog by locking it away for a minor mistake.
- Using the general approach of “If you dont do…. there will be consequences or If you do…. there will be consequences”.
I will not condone this method as it will not lead to results in the long-term and is mentally, emotionally, and physically damaging to a living creature.
….
Positive reinforcement method
Who is a good boy? Who is a good girl? Yes, you are!
Positive reinforcement is by far the best way to train or teach your dog. Or a kid. Or anyone really.
All organisms respond positively to rewards and appraisal. Plants even grow better when you speak kindly to them! Now imagine what this could do for dogs.
- Give them head pats often. And hugs. And kisses.
- Don’t give up! Consistency is key.
- Let them make mistakes. It is part of growing up.
- Reward positive behaviour.
- Treats not threats.
This really is an important part of training your dog, please dont forget that.
….
Potty training
Finding the best way to potty train your puppy at home can be difficult.
Potty training your puppy at home is probably one of a dog owner’s top asked questions. One needs patience, a calm mind, and an understanding heart. Little puppers like to take everything in a playful way, so teaching them can be a lot simpler at times. So, let’s try to find the best way to potty train a puppy at home.
Some possible causes
1. Separation anxiety is a quite common cause nowadays. Due to our too busy lifestyles, our furry friends often feel left alone too long. Especially for little puppies, our long hours may feel like millenniums to them.
2. Marking their territory, if you only have one dog (your puppy) they will most likely try to mark their territory. If you have an older dog this may sometimes lead to a bit of a shuffle, so make sure to keep control over the things.
In this case, simply be the mediator between them and make sure not to prefer one over the other.
3. Changes in their daily routine, if your dog goes for a walk every day at 2 pm and by 3 pm you haven’t walked them yet, this may cause little elimination accidents.
4. Change in living situation, renovating our homes and bringing in new foreign smelling furniture or even removing an old couch they may have been attached to. moving in with you is also a completely new sensation for them, so please be patient and keep an open mind.
5. Their bladder is tiny. Puppies and small dogs, in general, have a higher metabolism and thus need to eliminate more frequently.
….
….
Solutions
Here are some methods on how to potty train your dog:
1. Set up a routine, for potty training your dog it is necessary to learn when your dog needs to eliminate. Stick to the routine which will make it easier for both of you.
2. Interrupt accidents. If you see them beginning to relieve themselves simply clap your hands, and say “no” in a firm yet calm voice.
3. Do NOT punish them. When telling them off you should not scare them. Your dog does not know that what they did was wrong.
Also, do NOT force them to stay outdoors as punishment, or lock them in a crate. This will most likely only confuse them and they will now continue urinating inside your home, only without you seeing them.
3. Choose a private potty area where your senior dog will feel comfortable and confident enough to do their business. You should consistently go to one or more designated areas throughout your training.
It is one of the key elements in our how to potty train your dog process.
4. Keep your dog on a leash, mostly for you to get to the potty area efficiently but also for you to keep an eye on them.
This lets you know if and when they used the bathroom.
5. Decide on a code sound or command. Every time you go outside, use a certain word to make your dog understand that you’ll be going to their potty training location.
Simple words like “Go” or “Pee” are probably the best choices.
6. Reward positive behaviour, whenever your dog uses the potty zone correctly you should give them a little treat. Those shouldn’t be bigger than your little fingernail, yet it is the action itself that counts. Also, make sure that potty time is relaxing for them.
Please don’t yank their leash or interrupt them while they are relieving themselves.
….
….
Indoor potty training
This method should only be used if you have no other options or fall under one of the following categories:
- You live in a city that has no safe walking places for your dog close by.
- You or your dog suffer from health injuries (such as joint problems).
- Your work is far from home and sometimes you won’t make it home in time to take your dog out for a walk.
- The weather outside is either too hot or cold for your dog.
….
1. Pick out a designated pad area in your home
A little word of advice: choose a place that is calm and that your dog can easily access without you being around after a while. Otherwise, the purpose of puppy training pads is decreased quite a bit.
2. Don’t punish your puppy
If your dog had an accident. Just take them quickly to their pad. No yelling or using abusive and mean words or any other type of punishment.
3. Decide on a pad room
For the coming few days, choose a room where you can lay out several pads at first. Set up water and toys next to them.
4. Use a schedule
By using a plan, you can take your puppy after play and food times to the pads. Please also keep in mind that your dog does need to see the outside world regularly. If you can’t go yourself, ask a neighbour or friend or relative to take them on walks.
Now that we are done with the potty training part, lets move on to another type of training your dog: Planning.
Plan
In order to progress in training your dog, you and your family members have to come up with a plan. It is time to start setting up a challenging yet simple plan and stick to it ( just like I should stick to my diet schedule lol).
Make sure to include mealtimes, toilet times and going out/ play time in the schedule. I will write a bit more in dteail about that later.
Of course, our lives are filled with unexpected ups and downs but do try sticking to the plan as this is the best way for consistently good results.
Below you will find a weekly schedule that you can easily print for you and your pup.
Thoughts
So this was my take on the best way of training your dog. If you have a nice picture of you and your dog in training, show me in the comments. Read you next time.
