we have a male Boston who is pretty much the best dog ever! We just got him a friend she is so adorable but I’m so used to the best dog ever I’m worried about the new puppy! Any potty training tips?
Training a dog in obedience is not a simple task when the dog’s owner has not received proper training himself. The majority of dog owners do not know how to train their dog and expect the animal to think like humans, which lead to quite a lot of disappointment. There are simple methods that can be learned by reading obedience training books or watching dog training DVDs in addition to attending dog training classes with a qualified dog trainer, dog and owner together.
The most important thing in training a dog is to use basic communication that the dog has learned to understand and obey. There are 5 basic commands which are the standard in the English language, that every dog should obey to: sit, down, stay, heel and come. The command words used are not important but consistency in their use is. The same words in Italian or Chinese will be understood by a dog that was trained in one or the other language.
The purpose of training a dog is to have the animal behave properly when around members of the family, invited strangers and other pets. It is recommended to begin training when the puppy arrives in its new home to correct unwanted dog behavior and teach discipline. Basic training classes with a professional trainer start with puppies of a least 3 to 6 months old, and before that time, the owner should prepare himself and read a few books on the subject.
Dog training is all about good communication between the owner and his dog. The dog has to understand and obey simple commands while the handler has to interpret the dog’s signals when it is nervous, excited, confused or happy. Obedience training is to train the dog, according to the owner’s perspective, what behaviors are good and which are bad.
There are four signals used by dog trainers to communicate with the dog:
- The reward signal for correct behavior, letting the dog know it has earned a reward.
- The keep going signal for correct behavior, telling the dog it has to carry on in order to get a reward.
- The no reward signal for incorrect behavior, to tell the dog to try something new.
- The punishment signal for incorrect behavior, to tell the dog it has earned a punishment.
These signals can be sent with simple words or with a little mechanical clicker.
Obedience training is most of the time a short course of 6 to 10 weeks when the owner learns how to communicate and train his animal with a few basic commands. The German Shepherd or the Doberman Pinscher are easier to train than other breeds with a minimum amount of time but all dogs can eventually be trained, even the most difficult.
Michel Gerard is a freelance author located in Asia. His expertise is wide and varied in a number of topics. Visit the Tricks website and stop your bad dog behavior right now =>
The good news is that you can house train a dog (an adult dog that is) fairly quickly…faster than puppies anyway…the bad news is, you’ve got to be consistent and actually do the work because your dog won’t have a clue what to do.
So how do you get started?…I thought you’d never ask.
1. Set Up “His Space”
Create an area where you can confine your pooch…you’ll use it for those times when you’re away or when you don’t want to be keeping a close eye on him…make sure a large part of that space is covered with newspapers too (about 3 sheets thick).
When (not if) he uses the papers, clean up the mess and replace the papers as soon as you can…but place one of the soiled papers right in the middle of the new batch…this will help build the “here is where I go” idea in his brain. Over time (maybe days, maybe weeks) his “aim” will improve and you’ll be able to reduce the papered area to maybe just a single sheet.
2. Create a Feeding & Watering Routine
Your best partner in house training your buddy will be setting up and sticking to a feeding and watering schedule…feed and water him at the same times every day no exceptions…no snacks in between; no special treats (until he’s trained)…in this way his body will automatically respond to the schedule and be predictable…this will help you immensely with your house training.
3. Observe, Observe, Observe
Keep an eye on him at all times (when he’s not in “his space”)…now that he’s on a schedule, you’ll find out that Fido will need to “go” shortly after each feeding session, and perhaps shortly after each watering session and maybe a few more unpredictable times…watch him closely and learn what his body language is when he needs to relieve himself…is he suddenly restless; is he sniffing around; is he (and wouldn’t this be great?) scratching at the door?
4. Do Your Leg Work
When he “shows the signs,” put him on a leash and get your legs workings…take him outside to the place you want him to use. Make sure this is the same place every time…don’t confuse him by switching it around on him.
Be patient and while he’s sniffing around, repeat a command he can associate with this behavior in the future…use something like “go, go, go” or “time to go boy,” etc…then when he finally “goes,” make sure to give him a lot of praise and strokes…you want him to associate that praise with his actions so his little doggie brain will remember “Go Outside = Good Stuff”
5. Correcting Mistakes
If he goes “where no dog has gone before,” immediately, make eye contact with him and correct him with a firm “No” then lead him to the place you want him to use (either outside or to his “papers”)
But you must remember (and never forget) you can only correct him if you catch him in the act…if it’s any later, even just seconds later, your correction won’t work; he won’t make the connection you want…in fact, it will have a negative impact…so, if you miss your chance, you’ll just have to be more vigilant and catch him the next time.
But once the deed is done, clean up the mess completely and remove the odor completely too, because it will be the smell that brings him back to that spot for a return visit.
6. Keep Your Attitude Positive
Keep in mind that house training any dog takes time…it could take weeks…some dogs will be able to control themselves sooner than others and some will learn what you want from them sooner than others. If you want to be successful in the shortest amount of time, it’s up to you to maintain the right attitude and be persistent and consistent so your buddy has the best chance to learn.
I hope this helps…thanks for reading.
Did you know that to house train a dog is just the first training step you’ll take with your pooch? Need help taking the next steps? Then check out .
Michael Royce is an amateur dog trainer who has lived with, trained, (and been trained by) more than a dozen dogs in the last 25 years. He is a regular contributor to several websites including
Basically, I live in England and I want to take my dog to an obedience school. Preferably in Chingford. I’ve looked online and I can’t find any. My dog is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier about 9 months old. Please answer 
Or a dog trainer will help too.
My friend has a adult labrador retriever. She is fully grown and uncomfortable around other dogs. A neighbor frequently lets her much smaller dog off the leash (illegal outside of a dog park in Maryland) and the other day the two dogs had a confrontation. The small dog suffered minor injuries, nothing that required extensive vet care. Now the owner is threatening to sue my friend’s family unless they put the labrador down. Thoughts?
Citation: MD CRIM LAW § 10-619
Citation: MD Code, Criminal Law, § 10-619
Summary: This Maryland statute outlines what is a “Dangerous dog.” As defined by statute, it is a dog that, without provocation, has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person, or it is a potentially dangerous dog that bites a person, when not on its owner’s real property, kills or inflicts severe injury on a domestic animal, or attacks without provocation. An owner of a dangerous dog must keep the dog securely enclosed on his or her property or must muzzle and restrain the dog. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500.
Obedience training for dogs isn’t just for older dogs but also puppy obedience training can also be applied. As soon as you get your new puppy home House training or potty training as it’s sometimes called should be at the top of your agenda, getting this right to begin with will save you a lot of time in cleaning up after your new friend.
All dog owners must begin house training as soon as they can However you need to keep in mind that your new family member’s bladder hasn’t fully developed yet and they will need to do their business a lot than you may think. You need to be ready for when They are playing with a toy one minute and then as soon as you Go off about your business Walking around with their tail in the air and their nose to the ground Under your kitchen table Before you have time to deal with them.
Starting out with house training, potty training or alternatively crate training puppies it’s a good idea to set up and follow a schedule this will give your puppy or dog plenty of chances to go outside to do their business. Stay sharp around your dog or puppy and Watch for the signals that your dog or puppy needs to go, for instance think How often you need to go; as soon as you initially wake up in the morning or prior to you go to bed.
Once you’ve put this system in place you must keep to it and if you’re crate training dogs and crate training puppies you should be letting your dog or puppy out to do their business as soon as possible. Praise them every time and they will get this over time so be patient it will take time but it’s worth the effort and it’s very important you stick to everything above.
Whatever you do, No matter how frustrated you get, if the inevitable happens in your home, is never, ever hit or strike your dog or puppy. It’s paramount that you don’t shout, beat (you shouldn’t do this at all anyway) Or hold their nose in what they’ve done as this will just Intimidate them which, like a human child, will affect them Throughout their life. Also if you tell them off they may do their business away from you where it may take you longer before your nose or bare feet Discovers what they’ve done.
Steve, is a lifelong animal lover, especially dogs, he’s also an internet business owner interested in sharing more dog information with you.
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