How to Housebreak a Dog With Positive Reinforcement

Housebreaking is usually the first behavior we need to teach when a dog comes into the home. Housebreaking your dog should be done with positive reinforcement, which is defined as: Adding something the dog will work for to strengthen (increase the frequency of) the behavior. Teaching a dog any behavior is all about consequences.

There are two types of consequences: positive and negative. We have to be careful when we use any type of negative reinforcement or punishment. There are side effects associated with punishment. There are no side effects associated with positive reinforcement. Housetraining really boils down to managing your dog's behavior, catching him when he does have an accident and positively reinforcing your dog for going in the right areas.

Here are steps for housetraining your pooch in a positive way.

Things You'll Need

• Crate
• Patience
• Treats

Instructions

1. Introduce your dog or puppy to a crate. The crate will confine your pet when you aren't around to keep a close eye on her. Your dog has to learn that the only acceptable place to go is outdoors. If she gets in the habit of going indoors, it can take a lot longer to housetrain your dog.

2. The easiest way to housetrain your dog is to put him in the crate when you're not around. When you are in the house with your dog, never let him out of your sight. Before your dog has an accident, bring him outside and reward as soon as he has finished.

3. Take your dog outside before she has an accident in the house to greatly speed up the housetraining process. It's important to be aware that puppies usually need to go out 5 to 10 minutes after they have had a meal or water. After chewing and running around, they also need to go outdoors. By taking them out before they have an accident, they will learn that the only acceptable place is outside.

4. Bring some treats with you when you go outside with your dog. When your dog starts to go, don't say anything to your dog. Praising your dog while they are peeing can sometimes interrupt them and cause them to stop. Wait until your dog is completely finished, and then give the treat.

5. Follow these steps to quickly housetrain your dog with positive reinforcement. Any behavior that is rewarded will become stronger and stronger over time. House training your dog is just a matter of stacking up enough rewards when your dog pees and poops outside.

Tips & Warnings

• Get my free report: "7 Biggest Housetraining Mistakes and How To Avoid Them!" (see Resources below).

• Never use too much punishment when your dog has an accident. It can backfire and condition your dog to never go in your presence.

• Never train when you are stressed or tired.

Resources

• Get My Free Report