|
July 1, 1999
About Housebreaking a Puppy
Dear Denise:
I just bought a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy and would like to know how I should housebreak
it. I have not had a lot of luck housebreaking other puppies and I want to train this one
the RIGHT way! What do you suggest?
Sincerely, New Ridgeback Owner in Reno |
|
Dear New Ridgeback Owner in Reno:
Housebreaking can be made very simple if you just follow some quick easy steps. First,
every puppy should have a "Crate". This is a very nice, cozy and portable animal
kennel that you can purchase at any local pet store, some feed stores, or even at your
local WalMart. It is designed to provide a puppy with a safe, comfortable place to sleep
and rest when its owner cannot watch it. Simply take your puppy outdoors to do relieve
itself and stay there and make certain that it does its business.
When the puppy begins to relieve itself, tell it the command "do your business"
or "go potty" or whatever words you choose to tell him to associate with going
to the bathroom. Praise the puppy when it is finished and make it a POSITIVE thing! If
your puppy does not do its business when you take it outside, then pick it up and put it
in the crate for a few minutes and try again. Puppies do not typically soil their bed
(which is their crate). When the puppy wakes up, gently pick it up and take it outside and
give it the command that you have chosen. Repeat this pattern until the puppy gets the
hang of what you want it to do.
Puppies always have to relieve themselves several times a day particularly after eating,
sleeping, and playing. It is very important that you do not let the puppy run around in
large areas of your home until it is housebroken! They forget easily and so it is
important to have the crate handy and ready to use. Once the puppy has relieved itself and
you have praised it, then it’s safe to bring it into the house and play under your
supervision for a short period of time. Be consistent, patient and kind.
Best of luck, Denise |
|
|
|
Back to Home Page
|
