What's The Best Way To House Train An Adult Dog? Find Out Here

Follow this link to sign up for a
Free Dog House Training Guide Book. If you are completely new to housetraining a dog or need a refresher course, then this free guide will help you get started and provides some resources if you need some more advanced help with a problem pooch.

Dogs learn quickly when they want to - both good habits and bad. The first step you should consider when you want to house train your adult dog is that trust and respect need to be established. If he is peeing and pooing in your house, he needs to know it is wrong, but not expect to be physically punished. Take the time to bond with your dog before trying to train him

The best way to house train an adult dog is to use positive reinforcement in the form of praise, affection and treats on the occasions when he has successfully gone to the toilet outdoors. When accidents happen, stay calm and ensure all traces are cleaned up properly, taking care not to use cleaners containing ammonia, which closely resembles the scent of urine.

Training will be far more effective if your dog feels he is doing something to please you rather than because he is afraid there will be a beating if he doesn't get things right. Fear may also be counter-productive, as there will be more chance of him having an accident through nervousness.

Here are a few problems you might encounter when you try to housetrain an adult dog:

Marking - more common with entire males. The best solution to this problem is to have the dog neutered, which should calm some of the marking instinct, but you may have to follow up with a watchful eye and some aversive correction

Going in "secret places" - This is most likely the case if the dog has previously been severely punished after soiling in the house. Remember, you have as much responsibility as your dog here. Make sure you set a feeding/watering schedule and stick to it. Always stay with your dog when taking her out to potty, so you can praise when she does - That is how she knows what is the right place to go!

Peeing or pooping because of stress or anxiety - if you have taken on a rescue dog, remember that they may have spent quite some time in kennels and are probably worried they might end up back there, so they may be more prone to separation anxiety. You also have to give them time to get used to their new home, so restrict where they are allowed and gradually introduce them to different areas of your home so it doesn't overwhelm them