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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Elaine has been training dogs professionally for 14 years. She is a CPDT as well as an endorsed member of NADOI. She is also certified in narcotics detection and is one half of a (twice) certified explosives detection team - the other half being her Dutch Shepherd Spawn, who is also titled in several protection sports. Elaine is the owner of Canine's Best Behavior, a Los Angeles based training company, offering Basic Manners, CGC, K9 Games (soon!) as well as behavior modification for aggression fears phobias etc.
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[Edit]
9/30/2005
I have a 4 months basset hound, this is the most beautiful and lovely dog I ever had, but he makes poo inside the house and pee. I've tried several methods to make him do it in the backyard but he doesn't learn, what should I do?
There are lots of variables here that could play a part:
- He's 4 months old. He simply may not have the skill or muscle control of an older dog.
- Too much freedom too soon.
- Too much access to free food and water.
I am inclined to feel like it is the first one .
At 4 months, he has maybe the skill for about an hour-no, I'm not kidding!
He does have a schedule, watch him (hopefully outside) for about an hour. Within that time he will most likely go to the bathroom, then from that point you can bring him inside. An hour goes by, bring him outside, stay with him and wait a few minutes to see if he goes to the bathroom
Here's the part that I think gets confused by a lot of people: If he doesn't go after a few minutes, people assume that he doesn't have
to go and let him back in the house. Nope! It's the exact opposite, he is more likely to go in the house-so now is the time to keep him confined, on a leash, in a crate, in the same room as you.... Another hour goes by, take him out again, if he goes then he's bought himself another hour of freedom. If he makes a mistake within the hour shorten it to 45 minutes.
With regard him pooping in the house. Control his food. Don't leave it down all the time. Puppies will generally go with 30 minutes of eating. If he poops a lot then he may be over fed, but best case scenario-feed a couple of time a day and get him outside shortly there after.
After a few days of no mistakes in the house you can increase his time inside by 30 minutes. Having him sleep in a crate at night will also help him learn to hold his bladder. If he is holding it over night, consider that a halfway point in successful house training. House training isn't difficult, it's simple: full puppy = no freedom. Empty puppy = freedom for a time appropriate amount of time.
A great book to read: Way to Go!
Elaine Allison CPDT NADOI
Canine Behavior Consultant
Canine's Best Behavior
1.866.K9s.Best
www.caninesbestbehavior.com
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