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Housebreaking

House breaking

Yes, we can do that for you!

If you’ve been struggling with teaching your pup the proper place to go potty, or maybe you’re just so busy that finding the necessary time is nearly impossible, this program is for you.

Our system has been modified and adjusted over years of practice to give you the most effective housebreaking training program.

As with all our training, it is covered with our retraining guarantee and lifetime support!

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Housebreaking

House Breaking Your Dog or Puppy
New puppies are so much fun! Until they piddle on your carpet or leave a doodle on your shoe! Older dogs can be just as ill-mannered if they've never been trained.
 
When starting with a new dog or puppy there are a few simple rules that can help ease the tensions on both of you.
 
1. Get on a schedule: have a set time of day to feed, water, potty and play. Make sure you stick to the schedule very closely for at least the first few weeks of training. It is generally considered a dog can "hold it" a number of hours equal to their age in months, up to eight(8) hours. So a new 6 or 8 week old puppy should be taken to potty every hour or hour and a half!
 
2. Outside is for potty time, not for play. At least that's what your pup should believe! In the beginning of training, allowing the puppy to play and get distracted while he/she should be going potty can lead to confusion and often ends with the pup returning indoors and relieving themselves on your floor.
 
3. Use a crate or confine the dog to a small area of the house when it cannot be properly supervised. As a general rule dogs are naturally clean animals and will not potty where they sleep or eat. Using a crate helps teach the pup to "hold it" until he/she can get outside to go.
 
4. Observe. Watch your puppy closely while it is out and about. You will start to notice certain behaviors just before the pup relieves itself. This may include circling, sniffing, leaving the general area while sniffing the ground, whining and generally looking uncomfortable. If you see these things it may be a good time to take a walk!
 
Remember that your puppy does not understand our human world, it is your job to help teach him/her what is expected and how to get along. Housebreaking can be fairly quick and simple, but sometimes we come across a dog who just doesn't get it, if this seems to be your case just give us a call and we will see what the breakdown is and help you fix it.
 
Unfortunately, here in Missouri especially, we often see dogs who have been born and/or raised in a breeding facility or puppy mill that were denied the option of remaining clean and this will cause problems with housebreaking. It can still be done in most cases, however it will take patience and more time than with properly housed animals.
 
Important things to remember
 
Crates:
 
Crates are not cruel when used properly
they provide a safe and comfortable shelter that mimics the cave dwelling Canine ancestors would have sought out
Many dogs learn to love their crates and some actually choose to "Hang out" there on their own.
 
 
Accidents Happen
 
The worst thing you can do for your dogs housebreaking process is to punish or scold them
If you happen to see an accident starting, a simple verbal -Akk- or No, or smacking a paper against your hand or counter will startle the pup and you would then grab them and run them outside to finish and praise them for doing so.
Clean the mess thoroughly and chalk it up to not being as aware as you should have been.
Do not be angry with your pet, they just haven't learned the rules of living in a human world and your anger will set back not only your housetraining but also your bonding.
 

Help with Housebreaking

House breaking is a BIG issue for many of todays pet parents.

Busy, active lifestyles can make it difficult to get the right situation to help your pup succeed.

In our Pro Puppy Fast Track Online program included with every training program, we have included e-books and videos addressing the most common reasons dogs struggle and how to address the problem.

If, however, you find it is still all too much and you really need some hands-on help, please contact us about availability for a Housebreaking Board and Train Stay for your pup.

As with all our programs, we stand behind our work and the retraining guarantee applies here as well.

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Accidents happen, remember if you are seeing an increase in accidents, you may be moving to quickly for your puppy. Take a step backwards and give your pup time to really be ready for the next step.
 

Our training expertise has been proven over many years, we have worked with all breeds, sizes and ages of dogs. From chihuahuas, poodles and shih tzus to shepherds, mastiffs and danes.

Every dog is an individual and as such will learn at a different rate, using different methods and techniques. As with all our programs we will work with you until we reach your goals. For some dogs this may be as little as a week and for others it may take a month or more.

Remaining focused and patient will help you succeed.

The truth about puppies!

If your Considering a new dog or puppy PLEASE read and consider these statements fully.
 
A puppy is an adorable and sweet addition to your family, however you should be aware that a new puppy is just like a new baby. 
 
At 6 weeks of age a new puppy has limited if any control of its bowel and bladder, prepare to do a lot of cleaning and running outside every 30 minutes to an hour. 
At 6 weeks a puppy will sleep most of the time, then will awake and most certainly relieve itself within minutes.
A new puppy will cry and whine at least the first 2-3 nights when it is left to sleep alone. This can last from just minutes to entire nights of losing sleep. Adding a ticking clock, soft toy and warm water bottle can help alleviate some of the stress.
 
It is generally considered that a puppy should be able to hold its bladder for 1 hour for each 4 weeks of age, also consider some puppies do not gain full control of themselves until after 12 weeks of age; they simply haven't developed the muscle control.
 
If you don't have a schedule for feeding and outings, you will have more accidents. Scheduling helps you and your puppy to achieve understanding of housebreaking much faster. At 6 weeks take the puppy out within 5 minutes of feeding, at 8-10 weeks within 10-15minutes, by 12 weeks you should be good for 30-45minutes, after a meal.
 
Puppy proof your house. Like toddlers, puppies love to explore and they get into everything! Spend some time crawling around the floor to see what "treasures" your puppy might find. Cables, shoes, tablecloth edges, anything and everything will at some point end up in puppies mouth if it is reachable. Providing plenty of acceptable alternatives for puppy will help. We keep a toy box full of options and praise the pup for choosing them.
 
Puppies chew. Often due to teething and this can occur at several stages as they grow. They chew from boredom, anxiety and for fun. Puppies do not know that it's not OK to chew your slippers or the remote control! they just know it feels good on their teeth. keeping these things out of puppies reach is the best choice, but if they do manage to get ahold of something; offer a trade for an acceptable alternative and praise them for taking it.
 
Older dogs may also be a good option for you however, they can have their own issues as well. 
Consider adopting a new dog or puppy carefully, they require lots of patience as they learn what it means to live in YOUR world.
 
Be prepared to have things chewed, scratched and possibly destroyed. Understand that you may lose sleep.
If your prepared to go through these things, or take actions to help reduce or prevent them, then by all means get a dog! If not, perhaps this isn't the ideal time for you to adopt.