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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Fran grew up teaching everything from chickens and goats to dogs and horses. These days, Fran works with DOG GONE IT rottweiler rescue, is registered with AKC as a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and continues to train dogs in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also writes a canine question & answer column for a local news paper, The Hilltop & High Desert Shopper News.
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Fran Williams
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[Edit]
8/9/2005
I have 2 dogs which currently live outside. One is 1 (male, not yet fixed) the other is 2 (female, fixed). They are large dogs. I have recently bought a house that is brand new and I really want to bring the dogs inside. How am I going to be able to housetrain the dogs after living outdoor for so long? I am really worried that the will not go outside to go to the washroom and that they will chew my walls and furniture. Please give me some advice. Thanks. (kms, Maine)
Hi Kms, Well actually you are better off with large dogs because its real easy to see if they make a mistake, but let’s try to stop that from the git go. I would start today at what ever house you are at and just put a loose leash on the male dog and walk him through the house (any house) keep the leash loose and watch every move. If he starts to smell a area and lift his leg give him a JERK on that leash followed with a loud "NO" then run him out side right away and take him to a bush or some where that you know he will pee and when he lifts his leg give a kind word like "GOOD BOY!"
The trick here is to make sure he gets the idea of what is allowed and what is not allowed by your leash correction and voice, then get some bleach & water on any drops that may have come out-right away. Do the same thing for the female. If you watch the times that these dogs eat and drink and allow them to go out side often there is very little chance that there will be a problem.
As for chewing walls? Why would any dog want to chew walls? If these are pups that grew up outside without attention and
without being trained to general manners "YES" you have some adjustments that need to be made starting with training, some general rules such as "sit"- "down" and of course heel on a leash.
It’s usually really easy to train a older dog to not go potty in a house. If they have no manners then you need to make sure you keep a line on them and allow it to drag around the house so you can make a correction right away if they jump on furniture (it’s going to happen) counters etc., you grab that leash and make a loud assertive "NO" with a jerk on that leash-right away. Timeing is everything.
A lot of people bring home rescue dogs that are 1-5yrs old and the rules are the same-let that dog know what will and WILL NOT be allowed the second it walks in that door. The only reason a dog would tear up your house is they are bored or have no toys. I trust you have no thoughts about leaving these dogs in the house without some one there for a while? Right? They have no idea as to why their world is changing or what the new rules are UNLESS you show them.
With a little work this could work out great and you should be able to enjoy your pets as members of your family. You might want to check your area for Dog Training classes and sign up to take at least one of them. (Please Get that male FIXED) it might be a fun thing for both you and your mate to each take a dog and work them together-the more you teach a dog the better his or her life will blend into yours and the closer you all will become. Enjoy the journey and I am here to help you if you need more help.
Take Care Fran Dog Gone It
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