Methods to successful house-training
1. Encourage and Praise:
When you see the signs of an impending puddle or before he has the chance to squat, ask him in an excited voice, Do you have to go outside? Lead the way, continuing to praise him all the way. Make him feel that he is the most important and special dog in the whole world.
2. Train to wait:
By confining him to a small area, like a box or basket, you will teach him to wait to be let out. He will be more reluctant to spoil his sitting place because if he does, he will be forced to sit and look at it and smell it until you return.
3. Maintain a regular schedule:
Feed and exercise him according to a regular schedule. Free choice feeding will certainly hamper your house-training efforts- what trickles in will trickle out unpredictably! Your dog will probably need to go out soon after eating, after napping and after exercising. If you can realize when he needs to go, you will avoid accidents.
4. Don’t punish him:
If he makes a mess indoors, swat yourself with the rolled-up newspaper, not the dog. It’s not his fault; it’s yours for not watching him closely.