Trouble Shooting

Potty Place Mistake

1. When you first bring your puppy/dog home, do not allow the dog to run loose in the house unsupervised for the first THREE weeks.
2. Introduce your dog to every room in your house so that he recognizes the floor plan of YOUR den. This is where he will be living with YOU. Crate training at this initial time is soooo wonderful. Dogs love to have THEIR own area, their own private den!
3. Keep your dog on a schedule. Dogs thrive on having a routine. Not necessarily on a clock time although that has to be in the consideration but also on an action time as well. Recognizable routines are also when you get out of bed, when you grab the leash, when you put your shoes on, etc. 
4. Dogs generally have to go out right after eating, drinking, sleeping, exercising or chewing bones. Associate a cue to the action of going outside- "Let's go outside" "You wanna go out". The sound he will hear the most consistent is "out". Yes, we all chatter, but begin teaching him with the most simple of cues. "Out??"
5. Feed your dog a high-grade dry dog food. If your dog has an upset stomach it's hard to have control of his bowels. The old saying “You get what you paid for,” applies in this case. Check with several dog food nutritionists (pet food representatives, web sites, etc)  and get educated about ingredients, palability, digestibility- education is confidence.  Then YOU determine, with the experts, which dog food would be the best choice for your dog’s needs.
6. Designate a “potty” area outside and take the dog to that spot every time. Leash walk him back and forth in that area while saying a key phrase such as, “Get Busy,” or “Go potty.” once or twice only. He will start associating going to the bathroom with the key phrase.
7. Then while your dog eliminates calmly say "good boy, go potty" so his action is now associated with a verbal cue. Eventually then when you say go potty he will actually know he is to eliminate "on cue".  
8. Now play with your dog, go for a walk if he likes being outside, anything that is a positive/reward for your dog going to the bathroom outside. ie If your dog likes being outside and he goes to the bathroom and you immediately take him in ...why would he go. Or if the only time your dog has your attention is you waiting to see if he eliminates then you can see why he is making the visit as long as possible.
9. Always praise (Praise can be voice, treat or toy) your dog when he goes to the bathroom outside, but don't chatter so much that you interrupt his bodily function or he thinks it's playtime.
10.  If it's time for both "business" to be done you may have to WAIT atleast 5 mins, AND not saying a word- wait patiently; praise during (use your voice softly during the elimination) and praise big time afterward. Whatever is your dog's routine whenever he doesn't finish his business outside RETURN YOUR STUDENT TO HIS CRATE set a timer for 30 mins and begin steps 6-10 again.  Keep reading on below...

Please note: Most puppy or dog accidents are the results of negligence on the owner’s part.

• When you catch your canine in the act of having a potty accident in the house (or off his potty pads) be consistent with training. This is an important time to correct him with training by telling him what to do.  “Let's go outside” "outside" then taking him out to his “potty” area or putting him on the potty pads and giving your cue for potty elimination. Through repetition your dog learns when he has the urge to potty he will know WHERE you want him to "go". Young or an older dog that's new to the family you will train your dog more quickly by keeping him on a leash so you know when he wants to potty even when you might be "busy" watching TV :)
• Do not rub his nose in it – dogs have a superior sense of smell. Do not yell- it's natural for all creatures to eliminate their body waste.  When correcting, take into account the sensitivity of your dog. A highly shy and sensitive dog may be so upset by the correction that he might stop eliminating in front of you altogether (oops- you may need to go check behind your couch). Repetition trains your dog. Take the time to create a routine for his body. People have a distinct potty routine, so be patient and train your dog. Ask any mom of a 3yr old human if she doesn't pack a pair of back up clothes even for a day trip. Keeping an eye (and a leash) on your puppy will train him the fastest to be the bestest dog ever.
• Walk outside with your dog while he is learning the potty routine DO NOT leave him unattended. Even when you have offered him ample time to eliminate in the proper potty area you have to know that he has!  If it is time for him to do both "businesses" usually in the morning and again in the evening) and he has NOT bring him back in and keep him on a leash or put him in his crate and 30 mins later go offer him another potty session. You have to be the one to create the potty routine AND the place. Make sure it's the area you want- and not your carpet! 

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Jumping up on visitors...on me or not on me!

"Hello, hello, It's me down here!!" When a dog jumps with excitement and bouncy movement it's a greeting of pleasure and bonding. I agree, it's not desirable from the human's viewpoint and most definitely unsafe for both creatures involved. For a dog, the face is a submissive greeting place. A dog greets his pack members by kisses and licks. It's quite the compliment on his part. If you punish him for his way of bonding that is very confusing and scary to your dog. If you let him keep jumping that's dangerous and aggrevating for the human. Your dog could knock someone down, scratch someone's face, and worst- get labeled Rude Dog. It's important for your dog to know he belongs to your pack but as with all packs there are rules.

Rule #1 for you the human: Train obedience before you need it. Spend time training your dog the successive order of here, heel, sit and down.

Rule #1 for your dog: Sit when you want something!

It's that simple.  You betcha huh? Well it will be. Cueing your dog WHAT to do will result in correcting him with training. Always tell him what you want him to do with his paws. "No!" is a stop command.  Training your dog with movement is a "Go" command. Dogs need to go before they learn to stop.  So when you come home and your dog jumps on you or your spouse or friends- stay consistent- correct with training.

• If your dog jumps on you- Walk 5 steps through the spot your dog is standing (jumping) and cue him to follow you. Each time he jumps turn and walk through his space (turn and walk as long as it takes NO CHATTER NO PETTING just movement as much as needed) THEN- When your dog is following you with all 4 of his paws are on the ground, and he is learning the here/come cue. "Here" he's following you, "Heel" he's by your left leg, when you stop "Sit" he's sitting on his bottom by your left leg. Voila! He sits, you pet him with both hands- your happy and your dog IS NOT JUMPING he is sitting to be petted.

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Pulls on the leash

Hurry, hurry let's go! Either get a pair of skates or train your dog to always follow you. I know I'm gonna tell you what every one is saying- train your dog with his natural instincts. A dog likes to hunt and follow. Your dog will always find you for numerous reasons, you just have to captivate it. If you are not in a 4 mile square area away from cars your dog has to be on a leash. Hence, the problem begins but their instincts are still alive and well. Use your leash as a tool to teach your dog he will stay within the perimeter length of the leash. Every time your dog passes your left leg change direction in a 180 degree turn. I know! you've heard that, done that, and your dog is still pulling. Well here is an important tip to go with that.  Here's the secret to success. Your left leash hand MUST be braced initially on your hip.  Your turns need to be brisk and executed 180 correctly. Know where you are so you know when you turn you are going in the opposite direction and then WALK, go so your dog has to follow. Your dog will repetitively learn you are the leader (cause his neck is attached to you). Be CAREFUL do not make this so difficult and rough you harm your dog. You are simply teaching your dog he does not know where you are going AND NOT to anticipate your path. He is to STAY at your left leg and follow. This is a VERY dog thing and he will understand it easily.