MMaltese World

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Housebreaking using a crate.

Dogs avoid going to the bathroom near their eating and sleeping areas.
This gives you a very workable training method...crate training.
Dogs are "den animals". If one is not provided they will seek one. That's why they
like it under the bed etc. You will need to select a crate appropriate to your dogs size. He/She should be able to stand up, lay down and turn around comfortably in the crate. If the crate is too large, it will allow room for "accidents".


* Let your dog go in and out freely to get used to their new den.
* Praise them when they go in.
* Train them to "Go in your House" by giving the command, and enticing with a treat or toy.
* Praise him/her once inside. Close the door for several minutes.
* Repeat the exercise several times a day, and increase the time your dog is in their den, from 1 to 2 hrs, depending on your dog's age.

Now your dog has a new den. For house breaking, this will be a safe place when you cannot directly observe them and will greatly reduce accidents.

* It is also a good idea to provide your puppy a safe area, or to limit their access
to all areas of the house. You will need to be able to observe them at all times,
for safety and to aid in housebreaking.
* The kitchen is a good choice since it is probally not carpeted. This lets puppy be out,
be around people, and lets you watch. You can close off exits with a doggy gate.


* When you introduce new rooms, be sure to watch them very closely and take them to their designated potty area often.

The biggest key to housebreaking is being consistent, and very observant.

* During pottytraining, take them to their "spot" often.
Give the command "go potty" and give praise when they accomplish the mission.

Be sure to take them to their spot:

* Always immediately after coming out of their den.
* After waking in the morning.
* After naps.
* At least every hour or so at first.
* Whenever you see them "looking" like the are needing to go. You will soon recognize your puppy's body language.
* After play.
* Before going in their den.
* After coming out of their den.

Young puppies will probably not be able to go all night without a bathroom break. When in the crate, most puppies will whine to let you know they need to be taken out to go potty. Some people prefer to set an alarm to take them out -to their spot-at least once overnight. You can increase the time until they can wait until morning.

Most people prefer to put the puppy's den in their room near the bed at night. A comfort to owner and puppy.


Things to remember:
* Use the command "go potty" in an upbeat tone of voice.
*When the task is accomplished successfully... Praise, praise, praise.
* Never "spank" or physically punish for accidents, but do say "NO" or AH! AH! AH! in a loud firm tone when the puppy is "caught in the act" and take them to their spot to finish. You must let them know that you are displeased when they go in the wrong place.
* Clean any accident area first by blotting up all the moisture with several paper towels, then clean the area with soapy water. There are many odor neutralizer products on the market, that can and should be applied to an accident area. Dogs will seek out areas where there is an odor to "go back to".

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