A part of pet training that many people dread is potty training, also known as ‘house training’. House training allows you to guide your pet to go to the bathroom in specially designated areas. House training any pet is a very important part of pet care, especially if you have a pet that is not specifically confined to a cage. When house training your pet, there are a few simple tips that you can follow in order to ensure that you are able to have your pet properly house trained.
INDOOR BOX TRAINING
When training an indoor pet to use a special box for their bathroom needs, it’s best to put their bathroom box in a private area where they are able to go to the bathroom alone. If necessary, bring your pet into the general vicinity of their bathroom box as soon as they begin exhibiting pre-bathroom behavior. In most cases, pets that are looking for an area where they can go to the bathroom will begin pawing, sniffing and turning in circles. This is your cue to bring them to their bathroom box, which will help them to associate bathroom behavior with that area of your house. If your pet is going to the bathroom near or around the bathroom box, try scooping up your pet’s waste and placing it in the box. Once this is accomplished, bring your pet over to the box and allow them to investigate. In most cases, associating the smell of their own waste with a designated area is the best method for a pet to be properly indoor box trained.
OUTDOOR POTTY TRAINING
If you want to train your pet to go to the bathroom outside, the best way to accomplish this is to engage in a crate training program. Crate training your pet is the best way to ensure that they are able to properly go to the bathroom in a designated outdoor area. The first step in potty training by use of a crate is to select the right type of crate for your pet. Purchase a crate that is just big enough so that your pet can stand up comfortably. Be sure not to purchase a crate that is too large, as your pet may see it as a suitable area in which to go to the bathroom. Allow your pet to be comfortable with their crate, and try to reinforce the fact that the crate is not a form of punishment. Never put your pet in the crate after bad behavior, and try to leave the crate door open as much as possible. Immediately after your pet’s mealtime, put them in their crate with the door closed. After a short period of time, take them outdoors to their designated bathroom area. If they go to the bathroom in that area, give them a treat reward and lots of praise. If they don’t go to the bathroom, put them back in the crate for a short period of time. If this process is repeated several times, you will be able to effectively outdoor potty train your pet.
Sun, Sep 27, 2009