How to House-train Your Adult Dog

How to House-train Your Adult Dog

By: Dr. Ilana Reisner

House-training a Grown-up

House-training an adult dog isn't much different from house-training a puppy - in fact, your adult dog should be able to "hold it" for much longer than a puppy, making retraining an adult less labor intense. Dog crates can be useful training tools when it comes to correcting house soiling problems, because dogs generally will not soil in their immediate environment. However, if your dog has never been placed in a crateKennel Cab Traditional
Doskocil Kennel Cab Traditional by Doskocil / Petmqte is a portable kennel that features seat belt slot, shoulder strap eyelets, storage compartment a...
, take care to introduce him slowly. For some dogs that are crate phobic or have been forced to soil in them in the past, crates will just not work.

Also, consider that your dog may define "home" differently than you do. To you, home may be a multi-story house, but your dog may see everything beyond the kitchen (which he has kept spotless) as "outside.

" By restricting your dog to a smaller area for a while, and then gradually extending his home area, you can help him learn the ropes.

The procedure: Take your dog outside, on leashNylon Pattern Lead 6' x 5/8
Dress up your pet in the most fashionable styles with Coastal Nylon Pattern Lead 4' x 5/8". Silky, smooth and comfortable, this product line ...
, to a regular "toilet area" and give him a food treat for eliminating there. Try to keep "toileting" walks brief: If he's going to urinate, it'll probably happen right away. If you do not have immediate success with him, take him for a longer walk, try using a different leash, or try exiting from a different doorway. This way you can emphasize that a bathroom walk has only one purpose. If he doesn't cooperate in time allowed, return indoors and supervise or restrict him, then repeat the bathroom walk in 15 to 30 minutes.

If you discover an "accident" after the fact, clean it up without a fuss - punishment today won't stop the behavior from being repeated tomorrow. Usually, consistent supervision or confinement and regularly scheduled bathroom walks (don't forget the rewards!) will eventually teach your dog what is expected of him. If you catch him in the act, tell him ``no,'' but resist the urge to shout. Instead, reward him lavishly when he goes where he's supposed to.

Editor's note: In addition to the above measures, it is imperative to thoroughly clean up previous messes. Physical clean-up and/or attempting to mask the odor will not do. Instead, a proprietary odor neutralizer should be employed. These products contain enzymes or live bacteria that destroy odors at source by breaking down the molecules. Some effective products are: Nature's Miracle, Anti-Icky-Poo, Odoban, Odonil, Nilodor, and Eliminodor. Make sure the product is fresh and is used in accord with the manufacturer's directions. Without this step, the dog will be attracted back to a previously soiled area like a heat-seeking missile to a source of heat!

 
Printable Version
 
Have a Pet Question?
Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
and His Staff of Veterinarians Ask Dr. Jon
Dr. Jon's Newsletter
Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
 
 

Related Articles

  • 1 Crate Training Problems

    If properly introduced and properly employed, your dog’s crate can become its favorite resting place and retreat.

    Read MoreRead More
  • 2 12 General Rules for Training Dogs

    Training should be an enjoyable experience for you and your dog, so keep preliminary training sessions short, on the order of 5 to 10 minutes, to maintain your dog’s motivation, and always end the session...

    Read MoreRead More
  • 3 Crate Training for Dogs

    Opinions vary considerably about the value, and even the humanity, of providing a crate for your dog. For most dogs, the crate quickly becomes a safe haven and even a den and is a wonderful training tool....

    Read MoreRead More
  • 4 Clicker Training Your Dog

    The new wave of pet animal training focuses on positive or reward based training only; the idea is to train the dog to perform certain desired behavior rather than to punish unwanted behavior.

    Read MoreRead More
  • 5 When Your Dog’s Urine Marking Is a Problem

    Indoor urine marking can be a problem even in house-trained dogs, because it is a territorial behavior by which dogs communicate their dominance. It can be treated with neutering, leash control, behavior...

    Read MoreRead More
Related Articles
  • 1When Your Dog’s Urine Marking Is a Problem

    Indoor urine marking can be a problem even in house-trained dogs, because it is a territorial behavior by which dogs communicate their dominance. It can be treated with neutering, leash control, behavior...

    Read MoreRead More
  • 2Crate Training for Dogs

    Opinions vary considerably about the value, and even the humanity, of providing a crate for your dog. For most dogs, the crate quickly becomes a safe haven and even a den and is a wonderful training tool....

    Read MoreRead More
  • 3Crate Training Problems

    If properly introduced and properly employed, your dog’s crate can become its favorite resting place and retreat.

    Read MoreRead More
  • 412 General Rules for Training Dogs

    Training should be an enjoyable experience for you and your dog, so keep preliminary training sessions short, on the order of 5 to 10 minutes, to maintain your dog’s motivation, and always end the session...

    Read MoreRead More
  • 5Clicker Training Your Dog

    The new wave of pet animal training focuses on positive or reward based training only; the idea is to train the dog to perform certain desired behavior rather than to punish unwanted behavior.

    Read MoreRead More
 

Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

Related Articles
  • 1When Your Dog’s Urine Marking Is a Problem

    Indoor urine marking can be a problem even in house-trained dogs, because it is a territorial behavior by which dogs communicate their dominance. It can be treated with neutering, leash control, behavior...

    Read MoreRead More
  • 2Crate Training for Dogs

    Opinions vary considerably about the value, and even the humanity, of providing a crate for your dog. For most dogs, the crate quickly becomes a safe haven and even a den and is a wonderful training tool....

    Read MoreRead More
  • 3Crate Training Problems

    If properly introduced and properly employed, your dog’s crate can become its favorite resting place and retreat.

    Read MoreRead More
  • 412 General Rules for Training Dogs

    Training should be an enjoyable experience for you and your dog, so keep preliminary training sessions short, on the order of 5 to 10 minutes, to maintain your dog’s motivation, and always end the session...

    Read MoreRead More
  • 5Clicker Training Your Dog

    The new wave of pet animal training focuses on positive or reward based training only; the idea is to train the dog to perform certain desired behavior rather than to punish unwanted behavior.

    Read MoreRead More