Many dogs adopted from animal shelters may have been housetrained in their previous homes, however, while at the shelter, they may not have gotten enough opportunities to go outside, causing them to soil their kennels. This tends to weaken their housetraining habits.

Establish A Routine

  • Take your dog out at the same times every day.
  • Praise your dog every time they go potty outside.
  • Choose a location not too far from the door to be the bathroom spot.
  • If you clean up an accident in the house, leave the paper towels in their bathroom spot outside. The smell will help your dog recognize the area as the place where they’re supposed to go.
  • Take them for a walk or play with them only after they have gone potty.
  • Use a word or phrase like “go potty” when your dog is going outside.
  • Feeding your dog on a set schedule will help make their potty time more regular.

Supervise

  • Watch for signs that they need to go outside, like sniffing around or circling. If you see these signs, immediately take them outside to the bathroom spot.

dog newspaper

Accidents Happen

  • If you catch your dog having an accident in the house, do something to interrupt them like making a startling noise (don’t scare them) then immediately take them to the bathroom spot.
  • Don’t punish your dog for having an accident in the house. If you find a soiled area, it’s too late to administer a correction. Animals don’t understand punishment after the fact, even if it’s only seconds later.
  • Cleaning the soiled area is important because dogs are motivated to continue soiling in areas that smell like urine or feces.

Other Types Of House-Soiling Problems

  • Medical problems such as a urinary tract infection or a parasite infection.
  • Submissive/Excitement/Scared Urination
  • Territorial Urine-Marking
  • Separation Anxiety

 

Is it time to call in the experts? AHS offers dog training classes and private lessons to help you have the best trained pup on the block!

February 24, 2016
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