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Anybody ever housebreak a puppy?; It's my first time.
Topic Started: Sep 30 2010, 07:04 AM (901 Views)
G.O. Joe
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Well, our trusty beagle "Dixie" passed away earlier this summer. She was a great dog and we'd had her for a long time. Sad time around the house. :'(

About a month ago, my daughter gave me a call. She was at a friend's house, and their dog had puppies and she wanted to know if she could bring one home. Well, I let her. It's the cutest pup. It's part Lab, part Boykin Spaniel. It's got alot of the Boykin in it as evidenced by the curly hair on the ears. Now the longer hair on the tail and legs is starting to show. It's really going to be a good looking dog. B-)

We've never had a dog in the house before. Dixie stayed outside, and so did her predecessors. Everyone wants "Otis" to be able to come in, so here I am.

I've been doing the crate training for about a week now. I read up on it and talked to some people, so now with the questions. :coffee

Before I started actually trying to housebreak him, I was getting him used to the crate. He would go in at will and just hang out from time to time. After about the first day of training, he got where he didn't care for the crate as much. Can't say that I blame him. Now I have to almost force him in there. Once his head goes in, he submits easily. He's not barking nearly as long as he was at first. Just a minute and he settles down. So first question, is this normal?

Question 2: How do you know when you're done? He's to the point we don't have to constantly watch him when he's running around the house, but how do I know when I can call it "done"?

Every once in a while he'll go to the door and whine, or paw at it, which in my mind is progress. We started the real training on Sunday.

Any tips, tricks, or knowledge is appreciated. Thanks ^o)
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mjspiess
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My parents raised Yorkies and we hung a bell from the front door knob. Every time we took one out we took their paw, hit the bell, took the puppy outside until they did their business & then gave them their food or a treat. It didn't take long for them to hit the bell on their own when they needed to go outside. Worked out pretty well for us.
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undgsx-R
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mjspiess
Sep 30 2010, 07:30 AM
My parents raised Yorkies and we hung a bell from the front door knob. Every time we took one out we took their paw, hit the bell, took the puppy outside until they did their business & then gave them their food or a treat. It didn't take long for them to hit the bell on their own when they needed to go outside. Worked out pretty well for us.
Yup this is exactly what I did with my beagle, Dwight, I really like this method. The only problem I had was when he figured out ringing the bell meant he got to go outside, so he would ring it for fun.
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G.O. Joe
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Sounds like a good idea. Thanks.
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nerys
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Grr

taser? :-) hehehe

seriously sounds like you got it. Time to reinforce it. Trust me when I say you should never have to hit a pet - my pets when I yell at them its as if their world just crumbled. Don't have to lift a finger.

he is already pawing at the door. you got it already. Just encourage that and don't let him wait. You have to train YOU as well as HIM. he has to learn to let you know its time to go out and you have to respond when he lets you know its time.

just keep doing that praise him when he goes praise him when he paws to go out. It won't take much to solidify that training.

Don't be afraid to use force if they are belligerent. A little tap on the nose (and I do mean a tap) is enough to jar their attention. Pain should never enter the equation thats just abuse.

but again if he is already pawing at the door your golden man just reinforce that behavior.

Remember pets only need 3 things. Food Water and Love - they will give you absolute unconditional love and they ask for absolutely NOTHING in return except being loved back.
Edited by nerys, Sep 30 2010, 11:48 PM.
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superduty5.9
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Everyone's got this covered. I will add one thing. At about 6 or 7 pm remove the food and water and take them outside 2 or 3 times. Only do this until they learn.
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Ryan
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Ryan

Don't use a shock-collar. My father did that with our Airedale and he ordered it from an "underground" source. The lowest setting was way too powerful, and he went to the medium setting.

I'm not really into animals, but it was pretty cruel.
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Coche Blanco
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Ryan
Oct 2 2010, 03:17 PM
Don't use a shock-collar. My father did that with our Airedale and he ordered it from an "underground" source. The lowest setting was way too powerful, and he went to the medium setting.

I'm not really into animals, but it was pretty cruel.
I wore one on high for an hour for 250 dollars. It hurt so fucking bad. haha the last few times i was just like...whatever haha
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Memphis metro


Coche Blanco
Oct 2 2010, 07:44 PM
Ryan
Oct 2 2010, 03:17 PM
Don't use a shock-collar. My father did that with our Airedale and he ordered it from an "underground" source. The lowest setting was way too powerful, and he went to the medium setting.

I'm not really into animals, but it was pretty cruel.
I wore one on high for an hour for 250 dollars. It hurt so fucking bad. haha the last few times i was just like...whatever haha
Did you learn your lesson to stay in the yard Coche?
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