Ask the Veterinarian/housebreaking

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Expert: - 5/20/2010


Question
We have had a pup for two months and are trying to housebreak her.  We are very dilligent about it.  She's almost six months old.  How long will it take to completly get her straightend out?

Answer
Most puppies are house-trained by six months old. How are you training her? It could be the method you are using that is confusing her.

The easiest and most commonly used method is very simple. You feed the puppy in the morning and then you immediately take her outside to potty on a leash. You do not let her run around and play- you ONLY take her out to potty. If she goes you give her a small treat-very small one- and praise her highly.

If she doesn't go you just take her back into the house and do it again later on. At six months she should only be eating twice a day or once in the morning. Morning is better as it promotes better house-training.

You do not scold her for accidents, you do not let her see you pick up her accidents either. If she goes in the house you again put a leash on her and take her outside again. Since she already went she won't go again, so she might not get it right away. But you tell her, potty (insert name here), good girl.

Do this over and over each time she eats and each time she thinks she might be needing to go. Some dogs take longer to train then others. But remember, no scolding!! No paper training either as all that does is train them to go inside on papers!

Most people have problems with housebreaking because of paper training. I have seen hundreds of clients train their dogs with this method and never have an issue with it.

So start on this plan today and you should see results in the next few weeks, but she will have to overcome whatever you have been doing up till now.

Good luck and let me know how she does.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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