HOUSE-BREAKING YOUR NEW PUPPY
Remember; You get out of housetraining what you put into it!
The importance of thorough house-breaking cannot be overemphasized. The
younger the dog, the more difficult the job will be. Unless you do what
has to be done, whether directly house-breaking or paper-training as an
intermediate step, as discussed below, the dog will not learn. All the
reasons that make dogs worthwhile, enjoyable companions are destroyed if
the dog cannot be trusted in the house.
There are two basic house-breaking techniques, one which uses
paper-training as an intermediate stage. Direct house-breaking is by far
preferable, but is not convenient to everyone's lifestyle. If you have a
yard of any sort, just outside your door, it is not only possible but
best to house-break directly. Apartment dwellers may have to rely on the
intermediate paper-training method or litter box training.
Direct house-breaking is simple. Basically, it involves taking the puppy
outside frequently, allowing him to relieve himself, and returning him
to the house. Once inside, he is confined to either a 1/2 bath, laundry
room or a playpen. In either case, the puppy will be restricted to a
small area in which he must play and sleep, an area that he will be
extremely reluctant to soil. If he does soil the area, and accidents
will happen, chastise him mildly and take him outside immediately to the
area he has used before, to remind him that the only permissible place
is there. Remember to be fair to him though. A young puppy needs to
eliminate often, so take him out frequently in the early days before he
has built up a measure of control. He must be taken out about an hour
after each feeding. With age, he will be able to contain himself for
longer periods and the necessary outing will be reduce to approximately
four a day, but let him work up slowly.
A majority of house-breaking problems originate with the "kind" owner
who lets an untrained puppy have the run of the house. Then the puppy
falls into the habit of soiling the floors and furniture, and for years
afterward he may be subjected to constant corrections. The choice is
between a couple of weeks of close confinement resulting in efficient
house-breaking and the possibility of years of dissatisfaction
accompanied be non-stop corrections. Furthermore, it's not as if the dog
is in solitary confinement. Give your puppy plenty of attention and
playtime both in and out of his confinement area.
House-breaking in an apartment is a more difficult task. Your
veterinarian may advise you not to take the puppy out into the city
streets until his shots fully protect him from diseases he might
contract there. On the other hand, it may be difficult to make frequent
trips down to the street from a high-rise apartment. Such cases call for
use of the paper-training method or litter box. Cover about 1/2 the
floor of the paper-training room, preferably a 1/2 bath or wash room
with several thicknesses of newspaper, and confine the puppy to that
area. Wait for him to use them, then pick up the soiled papers and
replace them. Continue in this fashion for a day or two. Our puppies are
started on paper-training even before they are weaned from the mother.
As he seems to understand the paper idea, widen the bare area until you
have a papered space equivalent to about two full newspaper sheets.
Allow him to use that area until his is old enough to go to the street.
Then begin more outside training. At that point, watch carefully for any
indication of need for relief (he may search frantically for the papers)
and then take him out IMMEDIATELY.
As with direct house-breaking, keep him absolutely confined (in this
case to the paper area) until the lesson is fully learned. Make sure he
is taken outside, or allowed access to the papers, just before the
household retires. Be patient and GOOD LUCK!!!

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