The Considerate Canine: Housebreaking

The Problem: I am having the worst time housebreaking my 1 year old basset. Help! She will go out, sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for hours, then she will come in and go.

The Solution:

 The first thing you should do is consult your veterinarian and rule out any physical problems that may be a contributing factor.

For our purposes we will consider your basset to be a healthy 1 year old. My suggestion: go back to basics and treat her like an 8 week old pup: set up a schedule and stick to it.

Feed her at or near the same time each day. Give her 10 minutes to eat her meal, then remove the uneaten portion. By feeding her at specific times you will be better able to gauge the time for potty breaks.

When it is time for a trip to the potty, put your pup on a leash, take a few tasty treats and prepare to be patient.

Walk her directly to your designated potty spot - yes you can decide where she goes to the bathroom. Choose a place that is convenient to your home, with or without a little privacy depending on her preference. When you reach the area, stop and stand still, let the dog move in circles around you. By standing in place, she can sniff and move around a little (please use a flat 6’ leash not a retractable) but not dash off to chase butterflies, etc. Give her about 5 minutes to go.

As soon as she goes, say good potty and pop a tasty treat in her mouth. Once she has gone you can release her to play around in the yard or be free in the house.

If she doesn’t go in the allotted time, take her back inside and put her in her crate or other confinement area. Wait 10 or 15 minutes and repeat the process, continue until she has successfully gone in the appropriate place.

She is not allowed free access to the house or yard until she is empty. The freedom of the house or even a walk is a huge life reward for going to the bathroom.

If she has an accident and you see her in the act - interrupt her and immediately take her to the potty spot. An unobserved accident is a done deal -- just clean it up and move on to the next time. Correcting or punishing her after the fact is simply punishing her, she has no way of connecting the punishment to the act. Use a product such as Natures’s Miracle to clean up any surface that she has soiled.

Remember that she is still a young dog and may need more patience and time than you had hoped. By following a plan and not giving her the opportunity to have accidents you will help her understand the process and help her succeed.

If you have a question for Cindy Carter of Mindful Manners Dog Training, email your question to leah@lowcountrydog.com using the subject line: The Considerate Canine.

Cindy Carter has been training dogs in the Charleston area for the past 4 years, the last year as owner of Mindful Manners Dog Training. Cindy is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, CGC evaluator for the AKC, and member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has written articles for local publications and been featured in several publications focusing on local business owners.

As the owner of two dogs with “issues” she is uniquely qualified to help owners develop and implement management and training plans. She brings commitment and empathy to owners struggling to help their dogs have better lives.

For more information about our training programs visit us at www.mindfulmanners.net