Learn how to use positive dog training to house break your puppy.

Dog Training Series - House training: How and Where To Start.

It would be wonderful to live in a rural area where there is acre upon acre of run-free space for your dog. For most, this is not realistic, nor will it ever happen. The issue of wide open spaces should not discourage you in your beginning stages of puppy house training.

There is two simple questions to answer: The Where and The How?

The question of how is not that much of an issue. The question of where could cause you some additional problems in your dog training program.

If your residence is a small city apartment, a crowded row house or simply a concrete city with no yard, don't give up hope. There is a way, you just have to be prepared to do a little extra work.

Basically, the house training technique is taught the same way, regardless of your living arrangements. You simply train and educate your new puppy to where the acceptable places are located. 

Let's start with several types of dog training programs.

Crate Training.

Crate training is normally recognized as one of the better options for puppy house training and dog training in general. In future articles I will discuss in more detail this type training, but for now I would suggest you do some research on crate training programs. You may discover that this is not suited to the type of training you want to initiate.

In the past, crates were normally designed to be larger, uncomfortable steel cages. Although you can still purchase this type of crate, manufactures have become smarter and more in tune with pet owners.

Dog training crates now come in a variety of shapes and styles to fit the needs and lifestyles of the consumer. The development of rattan and wicker have introduced a new and fashionable type of crate that can actually be used as furniture.

Although crates are great training tools, you don't necessarily need one if your bathroom or kitchen is small enough. You have to decide if these rooms are sufficient and if they are properly set up for this type of training. Room training, as I call it, has been used effectively over the years with good success.

Paper Training.

Paper training is just an off shoot of the crate training technique. For the most part, the paper training program is used in conjunction with the crate. It is very important, that you as the pet owner, develop a schedule and stick with it.

Time after time customers have asked why their dog training is not progressing like it should. Most of the time the answer was simple. They did not stick to a schedule. The pup becomes confused, the owner becomes discouraged and the training process breaks down.

Understand that for the most part, dogs will not urinate where they sleep. That is why the area they are confined in makes a huge difference. If you allow your pup a large space to sleep and roam, they will pick a spot in this area that they do not associate with "their space".

A crate, suited to the size of your pup, is a must if crate training is to be considered. 

Immediately after eating or awaking from sleep, take your pup to the paper area. Keep him or her there until the act is accomplished. Upon completion, bond and play with your puppy. This free time needs to be filled with praise and encouragement.

Calm praise is used during the act and heap on the praise afterwards. Your puppy will soon begin to associate the proper place with the good reward.

As the pup becomes proficient on paper training, begin training on locating various papers throughout the apartment or house. This will reinforce the fact that the only place to urinate is on the paper, not just anywhere he or she decides is appropriate.

Simply state “Papers!” in a pleasant voice and lead your puppy to the locations you have placed the paper. As the pup gets to the paper, heap on the praise. After constant repetition, your pup will learn to associate the paper with something that is fun and comes with reward.

Good luck in your dog training and remember; "Never Set Your Dog Up To Fail".

If you would like more information on house training, crate training or any other type of dog training programs and techniques visit the online training website at www.stayandsit.com.