Sometimes owning a dog can be perplexing, wonderful, but still a challenge, especially when you have adopted or own an older dog who has not been house trained. This is when you have to learn how to house train an older dog, and you have to do it pretty quickly or you will be “up a creek without a paddle” pretty quickly.
House training an older dog is going to be somewhat of a challenge, the dog has brought along bad habits and this may not be the only one, but it is the most important to deal with, so here are a few tips on how to house train your dog.
Remember the first thing you need to do is focus on house training that older dog, afterward you can deal with his digging holes, chewing on things, barking and other bad habits he might have.
- Before you both start learning how to house train an older dog you first need to make sure the dog is healthy. A quick trip to the vet can help you get rid of any urinary infections, flea infestations and anything else. You should also know that a change of family, or owner, brings some trauma and stress to the dog. He may have some sort of diarrhea when first arriving in your home. This should not be punished as it is a nervous reaction. Give the dog a week to adapt to the changes in his life. If there seems to be a problem with his bowels, take the dog to the vet.
- You need to start an eating, drinking and exercise routine for the dog. By doing this you can monitor when the dog has to go and so make a habit of when he should go for a walk. Most adult dogs tend to poop about 45 minutes after eating or drinking. When you see the signs then you can take the dog out. He will usually start sniffing and circling around when he has to go.
- Learning how to house train a dog is a challenge for both you and the dog. An older dog has a shorter attention span, so you will have to repeat the training many times before the habit is made. Above all don’t get violent when they make a mess in the house, and you can’t chastise them for it unless you see the dog eliminating. Be sure to use a firm voice and say “No” then show him where to go.
- Remember to praise your dog when he goes outside.In reality learning how to house train an older dog takes a great deal of patience and a lot of determination. How successful you are will depend on these two factors. Understanding and being patient are essential when you want to house train an older dog.