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			How to Train a Dog: Housebreaking by Cris Waller Article Rating = 4.02 (198 votes)

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Category: Animals & Pets : Dogs Successful housebreaking is easy if you follow a few simple steps. First of all, here is what you need: A puppy (presumably you have one!) Some treats A crate (more on this below) A leash Some enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle or Odormute A crate (a plastic or wire small enclosure for your dog, sometimes called 'travel crate") makes successful housebreaking a snap. It is not cruel. Dogs are den animals, and they like small, enclosed places. In addition, they have a strong instinct not to soil the den. (A word of warning- pet-store puppies, who have been forced to eliminate in their cages, may eliminate in crates as well. Yet another reason never to buy a puppy from a pet store!). Buy a crate that will fit your dog when full-grown, but block off part of the crate if it is very large, using cardboard boxes. If the crate is too big, the pup will pee in one end and sleep in another. You want just enough space for the pup to rest comfortably. If you can't watch the pup, put him in the crate. The best way to housebreak is to not allow accidents to happen. Feed the pup in the crate and give him toys in there, so it is a nice place to be. Do not use it as punishment, and do not let the pup out if he is yelping- wait for him to quiet down so you don't teach him yelping gets him out of the crate! Take the pup out to potty: after every meal after every big drink of water after vigorous play any time he circles, sniffs, whines or otherwise indicates a need to go every half-hour during the day, and every 4 hours or so during the night (until he proves he can sleep through the night) Make sure you have treats available where you want pup to potty. Every time he does, praise and pet him, and give him a treat! When you have the pup out of the crate, keep him tied to you on a leash. This ensures that he can't get away from you to go pee. Make sure you watch the pup whenever he's out! If he has an accident, don't yell. If you catch him "in the act", take him outside and praise him if he finishes the job. Resolve to watch him better next time! Clean up any "mistakes" with the enzymatic cleaner. Remember, puppies are babies, and it takes a while for their systems to mature. Your pup will probably be 4-5 months old before he sleeps through the night, and a bit older to be fully housebroken. About the author... Submitted By Cris Waller Description Dog person Web Page http://members.tripod.com/antique_fcr Other Articles in this Category How to Train a Dog: Come by Cris Waller How to Train a Dog: Down by Cris Waller How to Train a Dog: The Basics by Cris Waller How to Keep Your Dog From Digging In Your OutdoorFlower Pots by Roseanne Smith How to Train a Dog: Walking Nicely by Cris Waller How to Train a Dog: Stay by Cris Waller Choosing a Dog... Where to Find a Dog (and where *not* to!) by crisw How to Train a Dog: Sit by Cris Waller How to Figure Out the Cost of Keeping a Dog for a Year by crisw Choosing a Dog... How To Find a Reputable Breeder by crisw Choosing a Dog... Picking a Breed by crisw How to Deter Neighborhood Dogs from Using Your Yard as a Bathroom by ckeeta Choosing a Dog... Puppy or Adult? by crisw Choosing a Dog... Purebred or Mixed-Breed? by crisw How to Decrease the Size of Skin Cysts on Your Dog by Brenda Schultheis Choosing a Dog... Indoor or Outdoor? by crisw Other Sites Storkin.com - Baby and Pregnancy Tips and Discussion iPhone Games at TouchArcade.com iPhone Apps at AppShopper.com Health Articles Menopause Symptoms HIV/AIDS Symptoms West Nile Symptoms Diabetes Symptoms Pregnancy Symptoms Read other Articles - click here.