Good article I found on Web MD about housebreaking your puppy – or older dog.

 

House training your puppy is about consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement. The goal is to instill good habits and build a loving bond with your pet.

It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year. Size can be a predictor. For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips outside. Your puppy’s previous living conditions are another predictor. You may find that you need to help your puppy break old habits in order to establish more desirable ones.

And while you’re training, don’t worry if there are setbacks. As long as you continue a management program that includes taking puppy out at the first sign he needs to go and offering him rewards, he’ll learn.

When to Begin House Training Puppy

Experts recommend that you begin house training your puppy when he is between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. At that point, he has enough control of his bladder and bowel movements to learn to hold it.

If your puppy is older than 12 weeks when you bring him home and he’s been eliminating in a cage (and possibly eating his waste), house training may take longer. You will have to reshape the dog’s behavior — with encouragement and reward.

 

Steps for Housetraining Your Puppy

Experts recommend confining the puppy to a defined space, whether that means in a crate, in a room, or on a leash. As your puppy learns that he needs to go outside to do his business, you can gradually give him more freedom to roam about the house.

When you start to house train, follow these steps:

  • Keep the puppy on a regular feeding schedule and take away his food between meals.
  • Take puppy out to eliminate first thing in the morning and then once every 30 minutes to an hour. Also, always take him outside after meals or when he wakes from a nap. Make sure he goes out last thing at night and before he’s left alone.
  • Take puppy to the same spot each time to do his business. His scent will prompt him to go.
  • Stay with him outside, at least until he’s house trained.
  • When your puppy eliminates outside, praise him or give him a treat. A walk around the neighborhood is a nice reward.

    Using a Crate to House Train Puppy

    A crate can be a good idea for house training your puppy, at least in the short term. It will allow you to keep an eye on him for signs he needs to go and teach him to hold it until you open the crate and let him outside.

    Here are a few guidelines for using a crate:

    • Make sure it is large enough for the puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down, but not big enough for him to use a corner as a bathroom.
    • If you are using the crate for more than two hours at a time, make sure puppy has fresh water, preferably in a dispenser you can attach to the crate.
    • If you can’t be home during the house training period, make sure somebody else gives him a break in the middle of the day for the first 8 months.
    • Don’t use a crate if puppy is eliminating in it. Eliminating in the crate could have several meanings: he may have brought bad habits from the shelter or pet store where he lived before; he may not be getting outside enough; the crate may be too big; or he may be too young to hold it in.

    Signs That Your Puppy Needs to Eliminate

    Whining, circling, sniffing, barking, or, if your puppy is unconfined, barking or scratching at the door, are all signs he needs to go. Take him out right away.

     
 House Training Setbacks

 

Accidents are common in puppies up to a year old. The reasons for accidents range from incomplete house training to a change in the puppy’s environment.

 

When your puppy does have an accident, keep on training. Then if it still doesn’t seem to be working, consult a veterinarian to rule out a medical issue.

Do’s and Don’ts in Potty Training Your Puppy

Keep the following do’s and don’ts in mind while housetraining your puppy:

  • Punishing your puppy for having an accident is a definite no-no. It teaches your puppy to fear you.
  • If you catch your puppy in the act, clap loudly so he knows he’s done something unacceptable. Then take him outside by calling him or taking him gently by the collar. When he’s finished, praise him or give him a small treat.
  • If you found the evidence but didn’t see the act, don’t react angrily by yelling or rubbing his nose in it. Puppies aren’t intellectually capable of connecting your anger with their accident.
  • Staying outside longer with puppy may help to curb accidents. He may need the extra time to explore.
  • Clean up accidents with an enzymatic cleanser rather than an ammonia-based cleaner to minimize odors that might attract the puppy back to the same spot.

 

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Arizona Fundraiser for rescued dogs

by Lori on March 3, 2015

Arizona Fundraiser for rescued dogs

 

Zoe in Sedona

Zoe in Sedona

 

One of our biggest passions here at The Dog Squad Az is rescuing dogs that have no homes.  Hundreds of thousands of dogs get put to sleep every year for no good reason.  Dogs are turned into shelters daily .  The reasons I hear all too often for abandoning a pet are “We didn’t have time for him”, “She was too destructive”, “I don’t feel attached to him”, “I took him to the shelter, they will find him a home”.  There are far too many homeless dogs to find homes for all of them.  We are huge advocates for spaying and neutering your pets to help with the problem.  One of the greatest organizations we have ever seen is Arizona Border Collie Rescue.  This is a wonderful group that specializes in Border Collies in need of help.  They have helped so many dogs find loving homes.  We foster for this group regularly and it is so rewarding.  They take in dogs with medical conditions that need attention, dogs that need to be vaccinated and spayed and neutered.  All this costs  a lot of money.  One of their main fundraisers is their annual calendar.  All proceeds of these calendars go directly back to the dogs.  We strongly encourage you to support this group and purchase a calendar.  Check out Miss December – She is especially cute.  That’s Zoe – my cute Border Collie.  I am attaching the link so you can get one for yourself!
http://azbcr.org/Events/Calendars

 

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Easter Grooming

March 3, 2015

Easter Grooming for Daphne and Randi Daphne and Randi got their Easter grooming today!!!  Both were pretty happy to have it done but Randi (The Border Collie mix) was actually smiling!  She wiggled and waggled and strutted her stuff as soon as she came back inside after the grooming.  They are both beautiful girls and […]

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Rescue Roundup in Flagstaff July 27th!

July 18, 2013

The Rescue Roundup is the biggest event in Northern Arizona to educate the public about adopting animals from shelters and rescue organizations. Over 40 different rescues, shelters and vendors attended the 2010 Rescue Roundup. This event includes various demonstrations and canine activities that focus on alternative interests in canine involvement such as agility, disc dogs, and herding. Animal friendly and unique […]

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Chloe and Jacky looking their best!

April 13, 2013

Chloe and Jacky Roth – two of our favorite grooming clients.  Always fun to groom and go see.  Aren’t they cute?!!

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Don’t forget dog etiquette while your walking your dog

April 12, 2013

Dog Etiquette for Dog Owners So many of us love to walk our dogs but we must remember dog etiquette . It’s great exercise for us, our dogs and with this amazing weather we’ve been having here – why not get out and walk your dog. Sometimes people neglect the proper etiquette of being out […]

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Dog Training Class practicing down stays

April 4, 2013

Intermediate Dog Training Class practicing their down stays.  Such a great group of dogs to work with (and people too!)  All graduated with flying colors!

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Rid your home of dog stains and odors

March 20, 2013

Feeling a little overwhelmed in your “dog” house.  We’ve all been there.  We love them so much but they sometimes can “take over” your living space.  While you’re training them to have house manners and housebreak them, accidents still happen.  Here’s a tip on finding dog stains.  Purchase an ultraviolet light (black light) available at most hardware stores.  […]

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Amazing Border Collie and her tricks

March 9, 2013

http://www.wimp.com/bordertricks/ This dog is amazing.  Watch this video and see all the amazing tricks she can do. Just copy and paste this link in your browser.   All I can say is WOW!

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Dog Safety while driving

March 4, 2013

Found this article titled Crate Thanks by Shari A. Mann at www.Whole-Dog-Journal.com.  Often times I’m asked the best way to travel with dogs.  This article gives some interesting insights.  An after-dinner family ritual, when I was a kid, was for each person seated at the table to share what they were most grateful for since last Thanksgiving. […]

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