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Teaching Potty On Command
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Here's a smart and unique housetraining aid from PAW
volunteers and adopters Tonja Nansel and Lynne Keffer,
who have used this technique with great success.
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The following procedure may aid in teaching an adult
dog to potty outside on command. Here's how it works.
1. Add a small amount (a couple of tablespoons) of
something tasty, like chicken broth, or one of the
commercially available canine gravies, to a large bowl
of warm water. The amount of water depends on the
size of the dog. (This isn't an exact science, so some
common sense is in order here.) You want the amount
of flavored water consumed by the dog to exceed the
amount the dog would normally drink at one time out of
the water bowl. Consequently, it will go through him
in fairly short order.
2. After the dog drinks the water, which most dogs do
willingly, crate the dog for a short while, about 20
to 40 minutes. Again, the size of the dog and the
amount of water given will drive this. You want to
wait just long enough for the dog's bladder to fill.
Then take the dog immediately outside and praise him
like crazy after he urinates. An extra-special "potty
treat," used only when eliminating outside, may also
be useful.
This is a great time to start the process of having
the dog associate the act of urinating with a word,
such as "potty!" and praising him for going in a spot
you have taken him to. Use whatever word you choose
just as the dog begins to urinate (potty, pee, get
busy, etc.), and then praise him as he finishes. A
few sessions like this and most dogs are well on their
way to figuring out what pottying outside is all
about.
Anyone housetraining a dog should carefully watch the
dog, or confine him when they cannot watch him, and
prevent accidents in the house from ever taking place.
This doesn't always happen. Moreover, those with
multiple dogs or those involved with dog rescue, who
house adult dogs with unknown histories and scant
training, often may find themselves trying to correct
the dog for eliminating in the house -- while missing
opportunities to praise him for doing the right thing
outside.
Authorities agree that positive reinforcement is
always better than punishment. This procedure --
giving the dog a volume of water, waiting for it to
filter through to the bladder, taking him out at that
precise time -- allows you to create a situation in
which the dog will be able to succeed in performing
the correct behavior and then immediately be rewarded
for it.
When using this method, you want to be sure not to
take the dog outside too soon, as he might not be
ready to urinate. (On the other hand, when you do
have the dog outside, you may want to let him urinate
more than once. His bladder will be pretty full.) And
please avoid keeping him in the crate too long, or he
might be forced to relieve himself in the crate.
This procedure can also benefit the dog who is prone
to urinary tract infections by encouraging the dog to
drink more fluids, thereby flushing out the bladder.
Teach Your Dog to Alert You When Having to Potty:
For more help, click on Housetraining.
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For more Dog Tips and other information about pet
care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our
website at: www.paw-rescue.org
To be added or removed from this e-mail list, contact
Robin at Tierneydog@yahoo.com
Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
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| Last Updated: March 10, 2004 (LET) | PawSupport | |