House Training

 

Getting a new puppy can be fun yet stress-full, but training your puppy from an early start can save you a lot of stress and trouble for the future. House training and crate training should be the first things that you teach your dog. they are easy in concept, but can often times test your patience. 

Crate Training

Crate training is getting your puppy/dog used to being locked in a crate alone, or during the night. Crate training is optional, but let me tell you now that a crate trained dog is a much easier dog to handle and train.

Here are some tips on crate training:

• Introduce the crate in a positive way. Use treats and praise and don't close the door for the first couple of times, the crate should be a happy and relaxing place for your dog. 

• Once your dog is familiar with the crate, you can start closing the door, throwing him treats and praising all the while. Don't leave the room, or keep your dog in it's crate for too long, just get him used to having the door closed. 

• Next you are ready to start leaving the room for short periods of time. Keep the duration of alone time short, and make sure you give your dog breaks in between training lessons.

• DO NOT enter the crate room, let your dog out of the crate, or give your dog any sort of attention if he/she whines. Ignore your dog totally if he whines, or go back a step or two in the training process. If you let your dog out when he whines, you are rewarding him for whining. Ignore him and he will eventually stop (If he is not whining because he has to potty or is in pain). This takes patience, you can do it! 

Don't lock your dog up in a crate for more than eight hours during the day. It is meant as a tool for potty training, as well as a quiet place for your dog to settle down in, not to imprison him.

Potty Training 

Timing is key with potty training. You must take a new puppy potty at least once every hour during the day, and multiple times throughout the night. Set an alarm if you must to prevent accidents. If your dog does have an accident, you have to catch him in the act and take him outside. Don't punish your dog after the deed is done, just increase his potty breaks. It is important that you praise your dog the moment he starts going potty where he is supposed to go.

Remember, patience, persistence and timing.