Why Do Dogs Pant?
Dr. Roth
Posted by Dr. Jessica on
For pet parents, housetraining the dog is the first step to a happy and healthy home. Like any kind of dog training, it means setting clear expectations and rewarding the dog for good behavior.
Housetraining a puppy is all about routine. Plan the day so that the puppy can go outside at least every two hours, or every hour if they’re less than two months old. Keep the puppy nearby through the day. If they start to look like they have to relieve themselves, get the leash and go outside for a walk:
If the puppy has to be alone, crate training can help to prevent accidents. Just make sure to:
When bringing home an adult dog who hasn’t been house trained before, or who needs retraining, stay with them and look for signs that they need to go.
Adult dogs may already have bathroom signals. If the dog sniffs at the door or paws at a family member, they may be asking to go out.
As with a puppy, praise the dog when they relieve themselves outside. If caught in the act of urinating indoors, it’s important not to yell—just take them outside as quickly as possible and reward them if they go there.
Many dogs adapt to moving easily so long as their parent is nearby, but don’t be concerned if the process also involves managing some general or minor dog anxiety issues. Possible backslides in house training might happen.
Don’t fret—a bit of reassurance can go a long way. To make moving with a dog easier:
House training a dog should always be a positive experience. Be sure to:
By keeping things positive, pet parents can encourage their dogs to use the great outdoors as their bathroom—making for clean and happy homes.