Holistic Housebreaking tips for a new puppy
February 10th, 2010
A new puppy almost always begins a relationship with its owners by peeing on the floor. Occasionally, they leave even more considerate gifts for us. It isn’t really puppy’s fault that that spot happened to be convenient for peeing! But either way, new family members need to be housebroken or retrained.
When getting a previously house-broken dog, it is wise to expect a few mistakes in their first few days as they’ve just been uprooted from their former lives. Try not to let the new dog wander over anything that it would be a tragedy to pee on. This goes for puppies too. Expect a few mistakes as they don’t have the best control over their bladders yet. Doggy needs to learn where exactly is appropriate for its private business.
The best way to remove poop from inside and coax it outside is to have a regular schedule that includes walking. Feeding dogs at the same time every day sets them up for a regular pooping schedule then a walk will help move it all out before you leave for work. The physical activity seems to warm everything up. Walk morning and night.
Certain new foods may create upset stomachs when feeding home cooked foods. Keep a stable diet for dogs during housebreaking, limiting the amount of new foods. When a new diet is being introduced make sure to allow for ample opportunity to go potty while you are home! If fed in the morning, may it not come as a surprise that puppy couldn’t wait!
Even worse than poop, pee travels along floorboards and grout lines. It stinks and can be hard to clean. When home do not allow dogs that are not house broken out of sight and take them to the designated grass every hour at first. Most dogs will not pee right at your feet and if it does, it can be interrupted and taken to the right place. Be conscious of bathroom body language like sniffing, crying, or circling or the beginnings of a squat. If there are mistakes, clean them up and remove all smells that may encourage a repeat offense. Once puppy knows the house is not for peeing, she will know to hold it.
The most important part of housebreaking is schedule and consistency. Dogs need to know that you are coming back and that they should wait for you to come home. They need to know someone really is coming home and the house is in no way a bathroom! If the dog will be home alone for an extended period of time, it may need a doggy toilet (puppy pads etc) but walking and taking the dog out regularly minimizes the amount of poop and pee that goes into that area. I promise this will make your life easier! And if not there’s always crating.
