Toilet training with love

Using confinement or crate training when your dog is young is kind if you use the method correctly.  Supervising when your pup is using a crate and creating a positive association will allow you to thank yourself for it later as the crate is a very practical for a number of scenarios. Giving the pup an opportunity to toilet outside every hour followed up with a reward or play will soon show him that going ‘outside’ is a plus. Removing your dog from the crate on a leash and taking him out right away will allow him to get outside in time without running elsewhere.  Speak to your vet or trainer about methods and timing guidelines.

The idea behind using confinement in a crate for toilet training is to set your dog up to be going to the toilet outside.  Once he has mastered this you can build up his freedom around the house without concern.  If you give him full run of the house before toilet training him he will use your house as a toilet through no fault of his own.  This is likely to result in him being confined later in life. You will quickly learn the signals about when he needs to go.

If you need to confine him longer term e.g. if you are going to be out,  make a confined area which has a specific place to him to eliminate.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)