How To Train A Dog

Anna Walker answers:

I agree that you took them too early. Most breeders don’t release their puppies until 7 or 8 weeks. I just got a 7 week old pup on Tuesday and have had another of the same breed for three years. We trained the first dog (Marla) to ring a bell when she needed to go out and that is what we are doing with Ruby (our new pup). You just have to keep a good eye on them. When they start to sniff around, you better get ready to take them out. You can catch them when they are ready to squat too. For Ruby, if I catch her squating, I say “Ruby!” firmly and she stops long enough for me to take her out.

The bell really does work. Just hang a bell from your door and every time you take the puppies outside, ring the bell and say “potty” or “hurry” or whatever your code word is for the bathroom. After you let them out, take them to “their spot” if you have one and say the code word until they go. Praise them and/or give them treats and let them in right away. If you let them stay out and play, they will confuse the meaning of the event. If they get to play, they’ll end up ringing the bell to go play, not go potty. Pretty soon, you’ll have them ringing the bell when they need to go. Good luck and I hope you find a plan that works!!!

Anna Walker answers:

First and most important thing to use when housebreaking a puppy is a crate. Now make sure you use a crate constructed totally of wire not the plastic travel crate. The puppy should be in the crate at all times unless you can totally have your eyes on him. If he whines while in the crate ignore him! If you go to him while he is whining it will not reassure him, it will teach him that all he has to do is whine and someone will come. Only go to him when he is quiet. When he is taken out of the crate he needs to be brought outside immediately. Use the same door everytime and bring him to the same place each time. If he is small enough to carry it is better to carry him to the pottying spot so he doesnt have an accident on the way. When he does eliminate praise him tremendously as if he just spoke to you in japanese. Giving him a small treat works wonders too not a biscuit, that takes too long to eat. A piece of hotdog or dog jerky treat works very well. The times a puppy will have to eliminate is: 1.when he comes out of his crate 2. 15-20 min after eating or drinking anything 3. When waking up from a nap 4. After playing and running.
If your puppy made a mistake in the house and you didnt see him make it its too late to punish he will have no idea that he did it. You have to catch him in the act and react at that time. Never ever call your puppy to you to punish him he will think he is being punished for coming to you and that could be dangerous if he decides to run into the street and wont come back when called. Anyway the other thing that is very important when training is that you will have urine smell in your carpets and floors. It is very important to neutralize that odor or your dog will eliminate there again. A dog can smell 1 part urine in a million parts water so Resolve or Glory just wont work. Go to a pet store and get the odor neutralizer called Natures Miracle. When the puppy has an accident use the neutralizer on it. You see, with dogs when they smell urine it makes them feel like they have to eliminate. Just like us when we hear water running. Above all dont get discouraged and dont EVER hit your puppy!!!! May take 30 days but it will work just follow those simple rules and you and your puppy will be much happier. Good Luck! P.S. The reason I said to use the same door every time is that you will start to notice your puppy hanging around that door when he has to eliminate. You can even go another step and hang a bell on the doorknob and find a way for him to ring it before you open the door possibly jumping up at it. He will figure it out trust me.

Source(s):
Im a Petland Pet Counselor

Anna Walker answers:

Keep one in one room and the other in another room then you can see who is troublesome

Anna Walker answers:

You should only have one, maybe not even one dog if you are going to leave it alone for half the day.
That’s classed as neglect you know

Anna Walker answers:

Depends on the puppy/situation.