House & Crate Training
House Training
You can begin to housetrain a puppy at 8 weeks of age. Even if you bring home an adult dog who is housebroken, you will want to follow these guidelines until your foster dog adjusts to his new situation and to your schedule.
Determine where you want your foster animal to eliminate– it could be the backyard, side yard or an indoor spot like a puppy pad. Then take him there every time with a spoken command, such as “go potty”. Take him out when he wakes up, after he eats or drinks, after a play session, or at least every 2 hours. Puppies should go out every 45 minutes until you learn their pattern.
Stand with him for 5 minutes. If he eliminates, reward him with treats and/or praise. If he doesn’t go in 5 minutes, take him back inside and try every 15 minutes until he goes. Every time he goes, make sure you reward him.
Supervise the puppy closely while you’re inside. If he starts to sniff the floor, or even squats to go, interrupt with a calm “Oops,” scoop him up quickly and take him to the approved spot and praise when he finishes. If he eliminates in the house while you’re not paying attention, don’t correct him– it’s not his fault. Clean it up and go back to your schedule. Use an odor neutralizer to get rid of the smell. Never put the dogs face in his mess or tell at him; he won’t understand you, and you will only be teaching him to fear.
Crate Training
Crates provide safe havens for dens for dogs. They calm them and can help prevent destructive chewing, barking and housetraining mistakes. Puppies should not be crated for more hours than they are months old, plus one. For example, a 4 month old pup should not be crated longer than 5 hours.
How long an adult dog can be crated will depend on many factors. For example, if your foster dog was left outside, he has never been required to hold it for any period of time. It will take time for this dog to learn to hold it, and you will need to start slowly. Older dogs and dogs with some medical conditions may only be able to successfully hold it for short periods of time. Rigorous exercise should be given before and after any long periods in the crate, and good chew toys should be in the crate at all times. You may want to crate your new foster dog for the first few nights in your bedroom– most of them feel more secure in their crate and it protects your house from accidents. Crates should never be used as a means of punishment; they’re not to be used for keeping puppies under 6 months out of mischief all day either. Crates should be thought of as dog playrooms, just like child playrooms with games and toys. It should be a place dogs like to be and feel safe and secure.