If Dog House Training fills you with dread, then you'll be happy to learn that dogs are innately clean. Here are the steps to the successful pet parenting skill, Dog House Training
Getting Prepared
Every dog needs a living area or den. She will not want to mess in her den, so it's important to establish this area right away. Her den can be a small room, like a bathroom or laundry room, or a section of a larger room, or even a dog crate. Give her a special bed for her den and spend as much time as possible with her there. She should eat and sleep there every day. If she's young, she may eliminate a few times in her den, but once she catches on that this is her home, it will stop.
When your dog is used to her dog bed, you can start moving it around the house. Just make sure she is kept close to her bed with a crate or leash until the Dog House Training is complete.
A Place to Potty
Once your dog's den is established, you'll need to teach her where she can eliminate. Make sure it is a place she has access to whenever she may need it. Until your Dog House Training mission is complete, you'll need to monitor her carefully and accompany her to her potty area to ensure she's not learning to potty somewhere else. To speed up the process, reward her each time she eliminates in the proper place. Do not scold her for eliminating in the wrong place, as this can confuse her and slow the Dog House Training process. Put your dog on a regular feeding schedule and observe when she needs to eliminate. This will make it easier for you to know when to take her to her potty place. Do not confine your dog to her den or bed for lengthy periods during Dog House Training. If she is forced to soil her bed, it can become a bad habit, causing headaches for you and your family.
Finishing the Mission
When your dog is consistently eliminating in her potty place, you can begin giving her access to more of your home. After she has eliminated, let her roam one additional room at a time until she has proven that she will not relieve herself on the new carpet or under the kitchen table. Until you are satisfied that she is well trained, she should still be confined to her bed in the new room or to her den when you are not able to supervise her .
See, not so scary after all. Just follow these tips and you're well on your way to successful Dog House Training.