Information on Housebreaking Pekepoos
A pekepoo is a cross between a Pekinese and a miniature poodle. These are two extraordinary breeds that when blended together give a companion dog that is smart, affectionate, loyal and a real personality. Because it is a hybrid breed, it can have the characteristics of either the Pekinese or the poodle and ease of training can be variable. As with many small dogs, the pekepoo may require great patience for successful housebreaking.
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About Pekepoos
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Pekepoos are small dogs, generally 6 to 13 inches tall and weighing 12 to 18 pounds. Though usually a great family dog, the pekepoo can be distrustful of strangers and may bark excessively.
Being a mixture of a poodle and a Pekinese, the pekepoo can have any combination of characteristics from either breed. This can make pekepoos very easily trained like their poodle ancestor, or very willful like their Pekinese ancestor.
Small Breed Housebreaking Problems
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Toy breeds have a reputation for being hard to housebreak. Toy breeds have a small bladder that can hold only so much urine and a high metabolism that makes them need to urinate and defecate more frequently, according to CanadasGuideToDogs.com.
Toy breed owners also are part of the problem of housebreaking, because small messes are easy to clean up, and owners find it hard to discipline their tiny pets. Consistency and firmness are necessary to get your pekepoo properly trained.
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Discipline
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Toy breeds, including the pekepoo, should never be hit as discipline. Yelling loudly usually just scares the dog and does nothing toward teaching it the behavior you desire.
If you find a mess in the house, it is best to pick up a bit of it and take both the evidence and the dog to a spot outdoors where you want him to do his business. After a number of reinforcements of this message, your pekepoo will eventually understand.
Crate Training
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Crate training is a housebreaking method that is recommended by most dog experts and veterinarians. This method takes advantage of dogs' natural desire to keep their dens clean.
The process is to keep your pekepoo confined in the crate when you are not there to observe the dog's behavior and take him out when needed. The crate should be only big enough for the dog to stand up and turn around.
Other Housebreaking Methods
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For some dogs, crate training does not work well. In these cases, confining the dog to an easily cleaned area, such as a kitchen or bathroom with a pet gate, helps the dog learn to control his bladder and bowels for longer and longer periods.
Some owners prefer to train their dog to use dog litter boxes or disposable puppy pads. They then take these materials outside to gradually introduce the dog to outdoor training.
Diet and Housebreaking
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Feeding your pekepoo a high-quality diet on a regular schedule will make housetraining easier. Most puppies need to go outside about 30 minutes after meals.
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References
- Photo Credit dog image by Bobi from Fotolia.com
