So You've Adopted a Rescue Dog and He Isn't Housebroken - Options For Housebreaking an Adult Dog

By John Koen 

  

When you think of house training a dog, it's usually a puppy that comes to mind. It makes sense to consider house training a part of a puppy's "growing up stage". Unfortunately for some dogs, that just isn't the case. If you adopt a dog or get a rescue dog, you really don't know how they were trained as a puppy. Some dogs may have been outdoor dogs and house training never was an issue for them. For the previous owner, the accidents the dog had in the house may have been treated as "just part of owning a dog". Perhaps that was the straw that broke the camels back and made the previous owners get rid of the dog. Whatever the reason, now you're faced with house training your new adult dog.

Older dogs are set in their ways, more so than puppies. An older dog has a set routine or behavior that will be hard to break. That doesn't mean that you can't housebreak an older dog, it will just take more patience and time. The most important thing to keep in mind is the older dog will take more time an attention to introduce them to a new routine. When you establish the new bathroom routine with your dog, use lots of encouragement and treats to re-enforce the new behavior. The deliberate new routine will have to be practiced regularly which is where patience comes in. You can teach old dogs new tricks, so don't get discouraged!

An important thing to keep in mind in the early stages is to keep the amount of change you introduce to the new dog to a minimum until the dog is housebroken. To many new routines or changes in the dog's environment will only confuse him and make the training longer. Keep an eye on your dog to mimic some of his natural routines in the beginning. Once you have the housebreaking fixed you can start working on some of his other "bad habits".

I had the same experience with my dog Jake. What I saw as a near impossible task was actually pretty easy by following a few simple tips. Check out my Housebreaking Tips and download the Free Report where I talk about the challenges I had and how I housebroke my adult dog.

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Labrador Puppy Training Tips

By Michael Brapopol

If you have just bought a Labrador puppy for the first time in your life, then you are probably wondering what your next step should be. Labrador puppy training should be on top of your list of priorities where your new dog is concerned. It is best to begin Labrador puppy training as early as possible, preferably when the puppy is no more than two months old. Take note that training is the start of a life-long commitment between you and your dog, so you'll have to make sure that it is conducted properly.
Labradors are very playful and energetic, whether they are puppies or grown dogs. Therefore, they need a significant amount of exercise each day, so most of your training sessions are best done outside. The good thing about Labradors is that they are highly intelligent and have a natural eagerness to please their owners. These traits can definitely make Labrador puppy training a lot easier.

What Are The Daily Basics?

The very first things you need to teach your Labrador puppy are the daily basics. This includes letting him know where his food dish and water container are located as well as when he is supposed to eat. Your dog also has to learn where he is expected to sleep, where he should eliminate, and which things belong to him as well as which things are yours and should therefore not be played with.

How To Potty Train

Potty training can be one of the most difficult parts of Labrador puppy training. The good thing is that Labradors are relatively large dogs and are therefore able to control their bladder a lot earlier than smaller dogs. This means that you can begin potty training as soon as you bring the puppy home.

Perhaps the fastest and most effective ways to potty train a Lab puppy is to make use of a crate. Crate training also serves the secondary purpose of providing a safe haven for your dog. This addresses the dog's nature of being a den animal. You should buy a crate that is just large enough for your dog to turn around in and lie down comfortably. Since your pup can be expected to grow into a much larger dog, it may be more practical to buy a large crate and then just use a cardboard to block off the extra space. You may then adjust the space as your dog grows.

Dogs naturally refrain from eliminating in their sleep area, so placing your dog in a crate will help him differentiate between the sleeping or living area and the designated elimination area. Never place your dog inside the crate as a form of punishment.

Remember that the crate should be seen as a safe haven, not a cage. Besides, Labrador puppy training should be characterized by positive reinforcement rather than punishment.
Effective Labrador puppy training necessarily begins with the right training techniques and a concrete plan of action. Write down your house rules and be consistent in implementing them. Labradors are intelligent dogs; a little patience and consistent training will go a long way towards raising them into the best pets you can ever hope to have.

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