House training a rescue dog can be a daunting task. It requires about 1.5 hours on average to house train a house dog already as a puppy. This time includes play, food, exercise, and a warm, secure place to sleep (the dog should be sleeping in a crate at night). House training a rescue dog usually takes about 60 to 90 hours, including the time for bonding with your new dog. Here are some dog training tips for house training a rescue dog:
You can start dog training by getting your dog used to the idea of going outside (this can be done with just food and water, a clicker, or a treats-based reinforcer). Dogs quickly adapt to any stimulus, and crate training is often considered the best method. However, you should not confine your dog to a crate all day. Instead, make small areas in your home where you can leave him without running into other distractions.
Do not use a crate or a cage for this training. Dogs crave contact and will usually follow their master to where they want to go (crate training might be good for young pups, but not for mature dogs that have been housebroken in the past.) If you want to teach a dog basic commands (sit, down, stay and come) while outside, try using treats (a small bag of treats is good for one hour, twice a day, preferably first thing in the morning and last thing at night before bedtime.) For other commands, such as “wash his/her paws”, “wash his/her face”, “feed him/her”, and “brush his/her teeth”, you will need a more focused, one-on-one training method. This can be done by providing a treat once he has accomplished the task.
You will need to learn some basic obedience skills, including sitting, walking, rolling over, heel walks, jumping up, and sitting still. All of these are necessary for training any pet. You will also need to master some tricks, such as the “shake-hands dog” and “come dog”. These tricks are geared toward the older dog and are somewhat more advanced. Older dogs are harder to train, so start with a younger rescue dog and work your way up to the older dog.
House training is a gradual process. Your dog will learn through imitation. He will learn what things set him apart from all the other dogs, and what things set him apart from other dogs that are of the same breed. Try to introduce a new animal every month or so to keep your dog’s memory fresh. As your training dog becomes familiar with his surroundings, you can slowly increase the amount of time you spend house training each day.
House training a rescue dog can be a very frustrating experience. It can also be a long, drawn out process if you don’t have patience. It’s important to remember that this isn’t a competition. Your dog wants to be your friend, not your servant. Be patient, kind, and understanding. When you do things right, your dog will reward you many times with a whole evening of pleasurable company.
House training a dog crate is one of the most important steps in owning a dog. If you decide not to get a dog crate, there are many resources available that will help you choose the right one. The type of dog crate is up to you. Some are made of metal and some are made of fabric. Some are multi purpose and can be used for travel and some can even be used as a bed! A plastic dog crate is a great choice for a dog that has not been trained and may not like to be taken to bed.
House training a dog is one of the most rewarding things you will ever accomplish. It takes work and patience but is well worth it. House training a dog is something every dog owner should consider doing. Your new friend will thank you for their happiness and love once they are officially home!
