|
Need Help? |
|
Call
1-800-372-3706
to
speak to a Veterinary Behavior Technician |
|
Paws for Help!
|
|
Click on Library Icon |
|
Help is at your
fingertips
by
library, email
and phone! |
Close Tethering
PDF File
|
|
Dog Behavior Library
|
Elimination
Training For Resistant Dogs
|
1)
|
Neuter
the dog if not already done,
and double check all medical
tests have been done. |
|
2)
|
Increase
confinement. Don't
allow ANY time alone where
an accident might happen.
This might mean confinement
during the day in a small
room, or purchasing an "exercise
pen" from the pet
store. These "x-pens"
create a space about 6x6
feet. They fold up, and
are useful for traveling
and confining the dog, and
can even be recycled later
into preventing access to
parts of the house or garden. |
|
3) |
Crate
train the dog. (See separate
instructions.) If the pet
eliminates in the crate,
change the environment to
a small room or x-pen. In
a small room, cover the
floor with papers. Don't
let the dog see you clean
up the mess (move to another
small room or tether out
of sight.) Gradually reduce
the size of the papered
area, and give big praise
for outdoor elimination. |
|
4)
|
Don't
physically punish mistakes,
even if caught in the act.
Verbally scolding incorrect
elimination in the act is
fine, but the concern is
that the dog may misunderstand,
and only learn not to eliminate
when you are watching. This
actually makes correct training
more difficult, since when
you take the dog outside
on a leash, he or she may
be inhibited because you
are present. |
|
5) |
Take
the dog out even more frequently.
The entire goal of this
process is to catch the
dog doing it right and praise
and food reward correct
elimination. Be sure to
take food treats with you
when you go out with the
dog. |
 Be
sure to feed meals and not
leave any food down between
meals during housetraining. |
|
|
6)
|
Increase
the exercise before elimination.
Exercise acts to stimulate
elimination, so get up earlier
in the am (just until the
training is completed).
Take the dog for a LONG
walk, up to 1 hour or longer.
Keep going until elimination
happens. Do quiet praising
during the act, then big
praise and food treats afterward.
Be careful that the dog
doesn't get the idea
that eliminating means the
walk is over, or they may
hold it just to get a longer
walk. |
|
7) |
Feed
different diets depending
on the goal. If you want
the dog to be able to hold
the feces longer, give a
low residue food like Rx
Diet I/D. This is most appropriate
for the working week. On
weekends where you have
time to work on elimination
training, feed a high fiber
food intended to increase
stool, like Rx Diet R/D.
The idea is to force the
dog to defecate while out
on one of the frequent walks
during the weekend. |
|
8) |
If
the pet urinates during
the night, pick the water
up at least 1 hour before
bedtime. Give an opportunity
to urinate at the correct
toilet area just before
bed. In the morning, take
the dog straight outdoors
on walk or to the toilet
area without a greeting.
After the correct elimination,
then give the greeting.
Withhold all praise and
attention to reward correct
elimination. |
| 9) |
In
severe cases, you may try
a stool softener 2 hours
before going for a walk.
This may help or it may
make it more difficult for
the dog. Only used in select
cases, and if the problem
worsens, remove immediately. |
|
|
|
