Housebreaking a rescue dog is slightly different than dealing with any other dog in the house. A dog that has been rescued from a dog pound, or an animal shelter, is not fully accustomed to living in a home. Dogs aren’t wild animals by nature; they are pack animals and need to be taught how to behave appropriately in order to survive in a home. This means that you will need to use dog training tips to train your dog. This is especially important if you’re adopting a dog from a shelter or humane society.
Housebreaking a dog can be tricky if you’re not familiar with dog training tricks. The key to housebreaking a dog successfully is consistency. If you’re constantly changing what you’re doing, he will eventually learn that it doesn’t work. Also, punishment for poor behavior won’t solve the problem. All you’ll be accomplishing is making him fear you, which won’t help anything.
There are a few simple dog training tricks that can help you quickly housebreak your dog. One of the easiest tricks to start with is the “down” command. Simply situate your dog in a position where he is comfortable, like on your lap, then say “down.” If your dog obeys, then give him a treat as a reward. Housebreaking a dog using this trick becomes easier if you practice often.
Another one of the more popular dog training tricks is the “come” command. Simply place your dog in a sitting position, then say “come,” then give him a treat as a reward. You can also use this same trick while housebreaking a dog. If your dog is too afraid to move, you can place a towel over his nose and move toward him slowly, until he moves himself into a sitting position. Don’t pull, but gently ease him into a sitting position until he calms down.
It is possible to housebreak a rescue dog faster by using “hide and seek” dog training techniques. For this technique, you should use treats and praise while hiding the dog from you, then bring him back to you. This is another effective way to housebreak a rescue dog, but keep in mind that you’re dealing with a dog that’s already scared, so you may not get it right every time.
One of the most important things to remember when housebreaking a rescue dog is to always keep a positive attitude. A dog will quickly learn what “good dog” behavior is, and what “bad dog” behavior is, by your actions. Keep a positive attitude and you’ll see a dramatic improvement in housebreaking a rescue dog.
Housebreaking a dog requires patience, determination, consistency, love, and lots of communication and dog training know-how. Remember that no dog training book or website can tell you how to housebreak a dog quickly and easily. Each dog breed and personality is individual and must be handled differently. Therefore, dog training books and websites must focus on helping you understand your dog and develop an understanding of what behaviors you should expect from your dog.
A good dog training book or website will help you understand where your dog’s behavior stands compared to the “norm.” What are the normal “proper” times to call the dog trainer? When is the best time to introduce new dog training methods? How should I handle a misbehaving dog when I’m housebreaking a rescue dog? These are just some of the questions you’ll want answered before you begin housebreaking a rescue dog. A dog training website or book is a great resource for all dog owners who are considering housebreaking their dogs.
