Are you looking for how to potty train a stubborn dog? It can be very frustrating when your dog refuses to go to the bathroom in the designated potty area even after you’ve taught him where the bathroom is. If you’re like most dog owners, you’ll probably resort to buying expensive dog training supplies to solve your dog’s mess problems. The problem with this approach is that most dog training products don’t really work. Some can even make your dog worse.
So what’s the solution to potty-train your dog? First, get your dog used to using the bathroom on a regular basis inside your home. Most dog training experts suggest introducing treats at a very young age, since dogs tend to have more receptive attitudes toward rewards when they’re young. Start by putting treats in small cups and waiting for your dog’s reaction to determine whether he wants to sniff them or not. If he does, offer another treat.
Use the “take it to the bathroom” approach, which basically consists of attaching a leash to your dog, walking in the direction of the toilet, and giving positive reinforcement for when he goes in the right place. For this dog training trick to work, though, you need a lot of patience. You won’t be able to reward your dog immediately after he messes inside the house, and it may take up to a week or two before he becomes accustomed to going there.
Here are some other dog training tips that should only take several weeks for your dog to master: Stay calm. Don’t shout or yell at your dog, especially if he hasn’t done anything wrong. It will only make things worse, and your dog probably won’t be able to focus on the good things that you’re trying to do. Instead, use a soothing voice or a combination of words and gestures to reward him for being a good dog.
A great lens for dog training is “Anonymous,” by Phoebe Maltese. She explains in this great lens how to get your dog to behave when he goes out, but doesn’t want to be bothered with constant barking, whining, or other negative behaviors. This book also tackles potty training and even includes an anonymous dog biscuit recipe! And she covers how to teach your dog that other people are not dangerous, as well as how to stop dog from digging.
The next tip is easy, yet highly effective: When you see your dog peeking around the corner, immediately turn around and give him praise. Do it over again, until finally your dog learns that his territory is unacceptable if he does something wrong. It takes a bit of patience, but it’s worth it. If he continues to do something wrong after you’ve turned around and given him praise, then you can increase the level of punishment.
The final tips are pretty much similar to the first two, and all are equally important. Start off by praising and rewarding your dog for going outside, and use various techniques every day to try to enforce good behavior. Try to work on small tasks at a time, and always reward good behavior with praise.
One other thing I’d like to mention is that your dog may have specific problems or just have a personality type that may work against obedience. For example, some dogs don’t want to be petted on the stomach. Others don’t like to be put in “incomplete” dog training classes. However, all dogs respond well to leash training, and when they do, life will become less complicated. The best part is, you can make these things fun and even involve your dog in the process! Good luck, and happy potty training!
