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Written by Admin
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Thursday, 24 November 2005 |
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Page 2 of 4
One of the most popular methods of housebreaking dogs today is the use of crate
training. Like most animals, dogs instinctively try to avoid soiling their own
dens. The crate training method makes use of this instinct by confining the dog
in an artificial "den" when it cannot be closely supervised. Because the den
instinct is common to all canids, this method of housebreaking is highly
effective for all dog breeds and even for wolf-dog hybrids.
The "crate" is most often a plastic dog carrier, although other kinds of small,
comfortable enclosures can be used. It must be large enough for the puppy to
stand and turn around comfortably, but not much bigger; if the crate is too
large, the puppy will simply eliminate in one end and sleep in the other end,
defeating the purpose. As long as the crate is comfortable and the puppy is
introduced to it gradually and is taken out to receive plenty of attention every
day, most puppies will not only grow accustomed to the crate but actually become
fond of it. Many dogs voluntarily continue sleeping in their crates long after
they have been fully house-trained and no longer require confinement.
The puppy must not be confined in the crate for long periods of time. Most
puppies under the age of about six months are incapable of waiting long periods
of time for a chance to eliminate. If the puppy repeatedly finds itself forced
to eliminate in the crate, it will eventually lose the inhibition against
soiling its den entirely - making house-training much more difficult. The puppy
must be taken outside to eliminate at least once every two to four hours during
the day. In addition, it will almost always need to eliminate shortly after
eating a meal or drinking water, after waking from sleep, after being removed
from its crate, and after play or exercise. The owners also closely observe the
puppy's body language and take it outside every time it shows signs of being
ready to eliminate, such as squatting, walking in small tight circles, or
sniffing the ground as though searching for the ideal spot. They only use this
body language for a few seconds before they eliminate, so careful watch on the
owner's part is needed.
If the owner catches the puppy in the process of urinating or defecating
indoors, they make a sharp, loud noise. The purpose of this is not to punish or
frighten the puppy, but to startle it so that it will stop. The owner then takes
the puppy outside or wherever they want them to go to finish eliminating.
Usually the puppy is already done, but the owner should try to catch the puppy
in the act. If he relieves itself, they should praise it very much, to make
going outside seem like a very good act to do.
In order to teach the puppy where to go, the owner always takes it outside
through the same door. When the puppy does eliminate outdoors in the correct
spot, the owner praises it and offers a food treat. If the puppy does not
eliminate after 15 or 20 minutes outside, the owner should return it to its
crate, and try again later.
In the wild, all the dogs or wolves in a pack urinate and defecate in a
designated area, away from the den. Because of that instinct, with this training
the puppy comes to understand that the designated area for elimination is
outside. The puppy will begin going to the door when it feels the urge to
eliminate. The owners watch for this behavior and, when they see it, praise the
puppy and immediately let it outside. Most puppies will spontaneously whine,
bark or scratch at the door to get their owners' attention if the door is not
opened quickly; some owners even train the dog to ring a bell when it needs to
relieve itself. As the puppy grows older, it gains the ability to control its
bowels and bladder for longer periods of time, and becomes increasingly able to
wait long periods without requiring confinement.
It is usually good to think of the amount of time a puppy can hold it as one
hour per month of its age. For example, if the puppy is 5 months old, then it
can usually hold it in for 5 hours. This is true until the puppy is 10 months
old, when 10 hours is the maximum for any age. However, some breeds, especially
the basset hound and many of the toy breeds are harder to housebreak than
others. If a puppy seems not to be able to hold it very long (e.g. only 1 hour
when they are 1 year old), then the puppy should be examined for bladder
problems by a vet.
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