Stopping Your Dog From Chewing its Bed

Posted on February 22, 2012 by

If your dog or puppy is in the habit of chewing its bed among other things, you should try as much as possible to stop the habit. In case the dog keeps chewing its bed, you will incur a lot of expenses in replacement and treatment of the dog. Treatment will be necessary, because the beds are usually manufactured with hazardous chemicals. In addition, it should be noted that just because your dog likes to chew its bed, it should not be comfortable when sleeping. It has been advised that you should invest in a chew resistant dog bed. However, it should be noted that chew resistant beds can also be destroyed, since dogs have the capacity of chewing through anything.

Dog Chewing Its Bed Stopping Your Dog From Chewing its Bed

Some of the best chew resistant dog beds are aluminum framed beds. These beds are, therefore, a good option to consider. In addition, these beds are often easy to clean, since all you need to do is wash them and then leave them to dry. The beds are manufactured in various sizes, including medium, large and extra large. The frames of the beds are constructed with steel, and their legs are raised off the ground. Also, pertinent to note is that the fabrics of the beds are usually made of luggage grade, which is extremely durable and able to accommodate all sizes of dogs. Since the fabric is often attached to the frame of the bed, there are no loose ends left for the dog to chew on. Therefore, when choosing a chew resistant bed, you should consider features like safety, durability, waterproof, lightweight and resistance to staining among others.

Before purchasing the bed, you should measure your dog, in order to ensure that you get the right size. In measuring your dog, you will be able to avoid buying a bed that is too small or too large for the dog.

As an alternative to the bed, you can consider buying an anti chew spray. These sprays usually have a bitter taste, which will discourage the dog from chewing its bed. The commonest spray used today is the Bitter Apple. The sprays are a safe and effective deterrent to chewing. The Bitter Apple spray usually needs only one application, which should be repeated only if necessary.

dogchew Stopping Your Dog From Chewing its Bed

An alternative to buying a bed is to buy a variety of toys. These are meant to keep the dog as busy as possible. It is recommended that the toys should be stuff free, in order to stop your dog from being able to demolish it altogether. In addition, toys that are not made of stuffing will help to keep the floor clean, since the dog will not be able to spill the stuffing all over the floor. The best thing about these toys is that they are made in a variety of shapes, and sizes and they are often squeaky. They will attract your dog and keep it busy, thus, reducing the possibility of it chewing the bed.

All in all, if your dog is a bed chewer, you should invest in a chew resistant bed, an anti chew spray and a variety of toys. In this way, you will ensure that the bed is not easy to chew on, you dog will have a variety of toys to play with, and the spray will deter the dog from chewing. If all these measures are put in place, your dog will stop chewing its bed and other precious things.

Secrets to Dog Training | Dog Behav. Probs. | Tips for Dog Obedience Training and Temperament Training

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How to Make a Long-lasting Bed for Dogs

Posted on February 22, 2012 by

Dogs can be quite rough sometimes. They have a tendency to rip through fabric by biting, gnawing, or chewing their beds. Sometimes they can chew past the seams and fabrics, leaving ugly gaping holes which are a pain to fix. How can you spare yourself all these troubles? It’s time to look for an alternative way: an indestructible bed that can withstand your dog’s aggressive tearing habits. If you’re still not convinced that you need a special, indestructible bed, consider some of the following reasons.

Long lasting Bed for Dogs How to Make a Long lasting Bed for Dogs

There are some pets that are rough as well as big. While these dogs aren’t messing around when they sleep, the constant wear and tear can go a long way. Sometimes, the paws and bodies of these dogs can cause a couple of striations in the material of the bed. Soon, the filling will start to come out, and then the bed will be completely ruined. Thus, you will have to buy a new one every time. Rougher and larger animals are more likely to ruin their beds than smaller pets.

Dogs can also get into the bad habit of chewing, gnawing, and biting, especially with regards to their beds. You can try to train your pet to not do that, but that will depend on your ability as a pet owner. Another way to ensure that they aren’t ruining their beds is to buy an indestructible dog bed. If you know for sure that you can’t train your dog to stop chewing on their beds, then just go out and buy one to save yourself the extra trouble. This will save you lots of money in the long run since you won’t have to continuously go out to get more replacements.

Occasionally, though, you have to upgrade your pet gear. Whenever this happens, it can last more than a couple of years. If you’re going to buy another bed, why not just get one that will last you as long as it should? The indestructible beds usually have great warranty so the manufacturers will make sure that you are enabled to obtain a cushion that will last for a long time. And if that cushion happens to break, which is very unlikely, then you can just get another one. Buying an indestructible bed is the best thing that you can do for your dog. You should probably consider going out to a pet store to buy this sort of bed, or you can browse online stores.

These are simply some of the easy and quick reasons for getting a new indestructible bed that will last you for a while. Whenever you’re out shopping for your canine pal, you should consider getting it an indestructible bed. It’s hard for your dog to break out of its habits if it starts to chew or bite or nibble on the bed. There is quite a large variety and a lot of quality selections. If you take the time to think about all the other possibilities, you will come to realize that indestructible beds are indeed truly one of the best things out there for your best friend.

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Dog Food Ingredients to be on a Lookout

Posted on February 22, 2012 by

Sometimes when you’re out buying dog food, you may not be able to pay too much attention to the dog food ingredients. There are many choices nowadays when it comes to choosing the right type of food for your special pet. You have to determine what type of dog food is appropriate for your pet. Read on to understand more about the type of ingredients involved.

Dog Food Ingredients Dog Food Ingredients to be on a Lookout

You should avoid all “by-product meals.” By products are simply fake meats. It’s basically all the crappy leftover parts that have no nutritional values, like skin, several organs, bones, and fatty tissues. There is no clear and precise definition so manufacturing companies sometimes use dead animals or rotting and diseased animal parts. Thus, if there is an ingredient listed as “meat by-product meal,” then that meat has the potential of coming from whichever body part of a mammal, even those that were euthanized in shelters. This is incredibly horrible for animals to eat.

Look for anything that’s more specific than “by-product meals,” including duck, lamb, beef, or chicken. This means that there is a specific meat derived source that is not fake or potentially dangerous. You should be able to know exactly where your dog’s food is coming from.

Also, avoid any product that contains “corn” or “corn gluten meal” as one of its main ingredients. These things are simply fillers and they can’t be fully digested by your dog. They are also one of the biggest and worst fillers typical in dog food ingredients. Your dog won’t feel very full after eating its meal since these ingredients will pass quickly through it. Your dog will also not be able to retain any of the so-called nutrients found within these wasteful corn fillers.

Instead, you should look for specific oil and fat sources. These are critical for the dog’s diet. However, you should still be careful because many of these sources may be harmful ingredients. Whenever you find specifically named sources, you know for sure that they come from an okay source. Some of these include chicken fat, sunflower oil, or canola oil.

Thus, keep these helpful tips in mind when you’re out shopping for yummy and delicious dog food for your favourite pet. Check out the list of ingredients before purchasing because you have to be an active consumer. Dogs need to eat food that is specific in its health content. If you are not sure about a particular dog food, then you should not buy it. Instead, do your initial research before making any purchasing decisions. With more practice and understanding, you will be able to make all the right choices for your dog.

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Litter Boxes Are Not Just For Cats

Posted on February 21, 2012 by

For small dogs, paper training and litter-box training are much easier to use as a permanent, long-term potty solution. Both of these can work very well for people who cannot take their puppy outside that often.

However, for medium and large-sized dogs, consider the sheer amount of paper, litter and mess you’ll be dealing with – all while hauling it to and from your apartment. Some messes run off the papers, and the dogs track through it. Also reconsider if your dog is a stool eater, a digger or if your apartment has poor ventilation.

Getting Your Pup Used To A Litter Box

To get your dog used to the litter box and litter of your choice, use positive reinforcement. Let your pup wander over to the box or place him in the box and give him praise and treats. Do this several times a day until your pup seems comfortable with it.

Depending on the size of your dog, you can choose from a slew of canine or feline box styles: small to large, hooded; raised and open; green to blue. Fillers can be papers, absorbent pads, recycled and natural litters, and other commercial dog litters.

Your puppy probably has a preference for certain filler textures and depths. Every dog is unique so you’ll have to experiment to see what he’ll go on. If you’re worried about litter going over the sides, purchase a hooded feline litter box and cut the roof off (be sure to sand those edges). Place a mat or layer of paper around the box to minimize the mess.

Also, try a large, plastic storage bin with a hole cut on one end or the top half of a crate – especially for larger dogs or those that lift their legs to urinate.

Clean the litter box after every use or a minimum once daily, or your dog won’t use it. At least once per moth, empty out the box entirely and wash with soap and water. As with regular housetraining, teach your pup to go on the litter by supervising, making sure it’s the only potty option available at first and praising for correct behavior.

Some people who have small dogs and live in high-rises will use the litter box for the dog’s entire lifetime. This is certainly not a problem. However, if the dog’s only toilet is his litter box, and he doesn’t want to eliminate anywhere else, you’ll have a difficult time traveling with him.

Don’t Be Lazy, Your Pup Will The One That Suffers

A big concern with litter box usage is that puppies, particularly small breeds, don’t receive enough exercise and socialization. Unfortunately, there are some people out there who use a litter box as an excuse not to take the dog out. What you end up with is a dog that never leaves the apartment, never gets fresh air, and never gets exercise – that’s just not right!

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Dogs are more prone to Loud Noises

Posted on February 21, 2012 by

Dogs are just like people. We are all afraid of something, whether they are little or small, quiet or loud. Dog, though, are particularly afraid of loud noises like thunder and fireworks. They’re sometimes afraid of the dark as well. Dogs also develop other forms of fear if they come from a certain bad place where they were abused or neglected or suffered other types of cruelty.

Dogs are Afraid of Loud Noises Dogs are more prone to Loud Noises

Old dogs, in particular, have a hard time overcoming their fear. You can, though, try to mollify your pet and show them the love that they deserve so that they can become functional members of the household. Pets can show fear in a variety of ways. They may cower or have trouble controlling their urination. They may also hide in small spaces or lower their tails and start whimpering. Never scold your dog when it is in this terrified state. You should always approach your pet with concern and unconditional love.

If a dog is afraid of a certain loud noise, then the dog will usually flee in the first instance. The dog can become highly disoriented and confused. Such can happen whenever there are lots of people in a house while partying or doing other loud activities. If they laugh too much, then that could trigger fear in the dog. It’s important that you reassure your dog so that it can overcome its fear. Remember, there is nothing too big or small that you can’t handle.

Some hunting dogs may dislike loud noises if they’re shy around guns. One way to condition the dog to get used to the noise would be to tie it to a post and fire a gun repeatedly until the dog no longer reacts negatively towards the loud noise. Although this is quite an old practice and considered slightly cruel, it was highly effective with treating the dog’s fear of loud gun noises. Another possibility is to simply get another dog to be your hunting companion.

Some animal psychologists suggest that owners should create a loving environment and to speak to the dog in soft, gentle tones so the dog does not become afraid. You should give copious amounts of praises to your dog so that it calms them down. Praises are one of the more effective ways in getting your dog to listen to you. As long as you are attentive to your dog’s wants and needs, then your pet should respond similarly.

Whenever there are loud noises like thunderstorms, you should probably try to keep your pet inside so that you can prevent your dog from being too scared or running away. Dogs may develop a sense of mistrust if they are afraid, so you have to gain back their trusts again.

Be sure to give your dog lots of praises like compliments and food. Reward your dog for making a step in the positive direction. Always approach your pet gently and speak in soft, loving tones. Whenever you’re introducing other people in the house, be sure to let your dog become aware of their presence.

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Do You Want a Terrifying Dog?

Posted on February 21, 2012 by

February 20th, 2012 by Minette

One of My Dog’s Snarls (I call it “Smarl” smile/snarl) on Command

Last year I fell off the wagon when it comes to my running regiment. I was up to 13 miles, but when my 8 year old dog, Snitch, died it broke my heart and I stopped doing a lot of the things that use to bring me joy.

Recently I decided it was time to start lacing my shoes and hitting the road again. I take my 1 year old puppy and 18 month old dog with me when I run, not only because it makes me feel safe, but also because they need the exercise and mental stimulation of it all.

The other day as I was running (they are always in “heel” position when I run) a squirrel ran out in front of us. I swear if I had seen it coming I could have touched it with my foot, it was that close and thankfully my dogs have a good “leave it” and know my expectations when it comes to running. Otherwise, I would have had some road rash on my face, down my body and into the woods. I live in a very rural environment!

As I stutter stepped and continued my run I beamed at the loyalty and obedience of such young dogs. I was quite proud of them and could have understood if they had miss-stepped and tripped me to the road.

But it wasn’t until about 2 miles later that I realized how crucial good obedience is in my running program.

An SUV slowed down beside me and I stopped. As I stopped my dogs immediately sat and then I directed them into a “down” as I pulled the tunes from my ear.

The man in the car said “I have seen you running out here before and I saw that squirrel run in front of you earlier” and I just wanted to tell you “your dogs are terrifying”.

“What!!???” I asked, somewhat astonished that anyone would refer to my fur babies as terrifying.

“You have so much control over them, a person doesn’t know what they have been trained to do or what they might be capable of.”

“I am very familiar with those breeds.” He assured me.

“Well,” I said, “Then you must have a background in police and protection dogs?”

“Yes. I have worked with many K9s over the years” He agreed.

I assured him that I could neither confirm nor deny his report without having to kill him, haha. But I agreed they were quite formidable and very, very well trained in a variety of skills.

As he drove away I chuckled and gathered my dogs together I thought to myself. It is true, I bet there is nothing more terrifying to someone looking to commit a crime on another person than a large, well behaved dog. I don’t even know what HIS true intentions were stopping to talk to me while I was out running alone.

Don’t get me wrong, I recognize that just the appearance of a large dog is a deterrent but a well-trained dog is even more formidable!

leash pull Do You Want a Terrifying Dog?

This is not Intimidating

Imagine if you will seeing a big imposing dog pulling his owner on his leash, choking himself as he runs from tree to tree.

Now imagine the same dog in perfect heel position, stopping and sitting when his owner stops, looking up at his owner’s every move and listening flawlessly to each command.

Which dog would you think was protection trained?

Poorly trained dogs are not scary, they are unpredictable but not scary. A loud noise, a tossed treat, or a dropped leash would be all it would take for dog #1 to be gone from the scenario; however dog #2 might have been trained to work through any distraction.

That is not to say that all well-trained big dogs are protection trained, but it gives a criminal some pause to their thinking!

I have always been of the opinion that an obedient dogs is more of a deterrent, but to hear it from a passerby was conclusive!

As a female I often worry about jogging alone, driving alone, or otherwise being in a bad situation, but having a dog by my side evens the odds a bit.

Rott snarl Do You Want a Terrifying Dog?

This is All you Need to Ward People off!

I have always taught my dogs to bark on command and with a small hand signal in case I should ever need a little reinforcement to warding off strangers.

When I had Rottweilers, my female Rottweiler loved all humans. If someone stopped to speak to us, her whole body would wag; starting from her buttocks and working its way through to her ears. She was adorable, but she wasn’t very imposing if you knew dog behavior. However, I could at anytime by just clicking my fingers together get her to bark ferociously. This would deter anyone from asking to pet her or wanting to talk to us.

On most occasions I let anyone pet her, but there were a few people I didn’t want getting that close to me while I was alone, they just made me feel uneasy and so I would get her to bark.

We live in a scary world where people do unmentionable things to other people, but I don’t believe that aggression training or protection training is always the answer.

She had no protection or bite training but she had great obedience and would bark at the drop of a hat and that was all I needed. I didn’t need the liability of having a dog trained to bite or be protective.

Sometimes I would lie and tell people she was so that they would stay away and not want to pet her, but again that was only if they gave me that creepy

well trained Do You Want a Terrifying Dog?

I believe this IS Intimidating for Someone Looking for Trouble

feeling. I knew they would never “test” my statements.

Protection dogs or teaching your dog to be aggressive is a HUGE liability and sometimes once immersed in the process it can be very hard to control the dog. For the most part I don’t recommend this type of training.

But, I do know the benefit first hand of training my dog to be obedient and teaching them to look scary.

Be very careful what kind of behaviors you promote in your dog training! Even though I could and can get my dogs to bark, they never associated it with barking AT someone or driving someone away and so I was always safe and in control of situations as they arose!

Remember, if you want a dog that will keep you from being bothered, work on your leash manners and obedience commands and that is all it takes to keep people at a safe distance from you and your companion.

Dog Obedience Training Blog

How to Stop Your Dog From Being Possessive of his Food Bowl

Posted on February 20, 2012 by

Home » Dog Food, Gossip

Food possessiveness is one of the biggest problems that can occur with any dog. The condition occurs when the dog thinks that you might take away his food. The dog, therefore, feels a need to protect his food. It is essential to point out that this habit is just picked up by the dog along the way.

Dog Possessive How to Stop Your Dog From Being Possessive of his Food Bowl

One of the biggest concerns raised by food possessiveness is the potential danger that the dog could present to its owner or kids. In most cases, dogs look at kids as other dogs, and they, therefore, view them as the competition. Therefore, when the kids are trying to play with the dog, he looks at it as though they are trying to steal his food. It should be noted that food possessiveness is a particularly serious issue, which should not be taken lightly.

Various methods can be used to stop food possessiveness. The first thing that is recommended is that you reduce the amount of food given to the dog. For example, you should only feed him twice a day and take away any food that remains in the bowl after ten minutes. This is to ensure that the dog does not eat all the time.

In addition, you should also keep dropping treats into the dog’s bowl. This should be done as frequently as possible, in order to allow the dog think that whenever you are by his bowl, you are dropping treats. You can use leftovers as the treats, for example, if you make beef stew, you can keep a small portion for the dog. If your dog does not want you to drop things in his bowl, you can leave the treats by the side of his bowl instead. In this way, the dog will know that there are treats nearby and not feel threatened by the act. He will get them either during or after his dinner. On the other hand, you should avoid taking away the dog’s bowl while he is till eating. This is because; whenever the dog sees you, he will think that you are going to take his food away.

It is recommended that this training should go on for at least one week. After the one week, your dog will have gotten used to the system. The exercise should be practiced every day of the week. If you have a puppy, you should start the training at this stage, since puppies are better to train. It is also recommended that the exercise should be done by all your family members. Your family should be supervised all the way, in order to ensure that they are doing the training in the proper manner.

It should also be noted that there are various ways in which to train your dog to perform tricks for your family and friends. The training applies to all dog types and sizes.

Secrets to Dog Training | Dog Behav. Probs. | Tips for Dog Obedience Training and Temperament Training

The Six Myths about Pitbulls

Posted on February 20, 2012 by

There are a lot of false myths about pitbulls, in this article we are going to go through a few of them.

Myths about Pitbulls The Six Myths about Pitbulls

The first myth: Pitbulls are always aggressive to humans:

This is totally wrong, because any dog can be aggressive, and any dog can be trained not to be aggressive, same with pitbulls, if trained well, they can be friendly towards people, they can even be very outdoor going and friendly to strangers if trained and bred correctly, that’s why they are not usually used for guarding.

The second myth: Pitbulls can hold tight with only using their front teeth and gnaw with their back ones; this one is very false as they simply can’t do it.

The third myth: Pitbulls have the highest rate amongst other breeds concerning attacking humans:

This is proved false by statistics as most attacks occur from other nicer breeds such as retrievers. This myth was started by the press that focuses only on pitbull attacks; they even reached the point of calling any dog pitbull because it adds drama to the situation.

The fourth myth: Pitbulls have stronger locked jaws than other dogs:

The truth is, pitbulls have the same exact jaw functionality as other kinds of dogs, yes, they have a strong bite, but their jaws can never lock, it’s not real and it can’t be done.

The fifth myth: The colors of the dog make it more superior:

When it comes to colors, it doesn’t affect the judging of pitbulls or any other breed of dogs; they take absolutely no part in making the dog more or less valuable. Because some people pay and ask for more, for blue or red nosed pitbulls, although when it comes to red-nosed there is a little bit of truth in the myth, because red nosed pitbulls are fighting dogs, they are bred with fighting abilities that’s why according to that they are seen more worthy. That’s makes them a little more valuable.

The last myth: Pitbulls are great fighters:

As mentioned in the last myth, yes they can be bred with fighting abilities, but that’s the same for any kind of dogs, if bred with that, but pitbulls do other things as well, working and being playful and friendly to human beings, pitbulls aren’t all about violence and fight.

Secrets to Dog Training | Dog Behav. Probs. | Tips for Dog Obedience Training and Temperament Training

My Favorite Dog Obedience Sport

Posted on February 20, 2012 by

February 2nd, 2012 by Minette

I have recently mentioned my resurgence into the dog obedience and trialing world.

The first time I trialed and showed, I was egged on by my client who challenged me and my dog to an “obedience dare” to see who could title their dog first. I REALLY, REALLY didn’t want to, but I had help to get her ready for her competitions and she wanted company IN and around the show ring.

I never wanted to trial my dog or get titles, I never cared and was terrified of competition and getting up in front of people. But the irony of the situation is that the trainer she left me for fashioned herself as a competition training aficionado.

I happily admit I took her up on her dare and not only did I title first, I beat her former trainer But, for me its not about the competition it is about spending time not only training with my dog but also the short time spent in the ring together!

I intend to get as many titles on my little girl “Fury” as I can! It is my challenge to myself!

And, my favorite obedience sport, you ask?

Rally signs My Favorite Dog Obedience Sport

Some of the Signs Used

I am proud to admit she got #1 blue ribbon her first time out of the gate with a score of 99 pts! I let the leash get tight once! Above is our first place run!

For those of you who aren’t familiar, let me educate you!

Rally Obedience was created by Charles Kramer.

Unlike regular obedience where you must wait for the judge to call out instructions you proceed around a course of designated stations with the dog in heel position. The course consists of 10-20 signs (depending on the level of advancement) and the signs instruct the team as to what directive to complete.

And, distinct from other obedience sports are allowed and even encouraged to praise and talk to their dogs throughout the course!

THAT is my #1 reason for loving Rally! Most obedience sports are very cold and absent in the relationship between the dog and the owner/handler. I personally like to at least be able to praise my dog when he/she does something phenomenal and to keep him/her motivated and happy.

I understand that you should not be able to use training collars, issue corrections, or give treats but I emphatically admit that dogs deserve praise for a job well done! And, in Rally you can praise, talk to and even clap for your dog when he does something right!

Since I don’t have a judge barking directions at me, I can also relax and stumble about the course on my own without having to worry about listening to someone else. This allows me to block out everything else that is going on around me.

rally 2 300x130 My Favorite Dog Obedience Sport

Fun had by All

And, IT’S FUN!

Even if you don’t compete…Rally obedience is just fun! And the obedience behind it is functional! I love the fact that by working on the simple commands on the signs like: Stop (dog should sit) Take one step halt (dog sits) Two steps halt (dog sits) Three steps halt (dog sits) and Call Dog Front Finish Left halt (dog should come and sit in front then go to heel position and sit on the left side).

And, it’s FAST you are usually in the ring for less than 2-3 minutes!

This is a great sport to get started in with your dog! It is my favorite way to start!

Look it up online. Many organizations offer Rally Obedience AKC, APDT, UKC and several others! You don’t even have to have a pure breed to get out there and have some fun! You can find more information here.

If you are “on the fence” about competing go to a show and watch, it is so much fun!

A Word of Caution

To those of you who may end up being “die-hard” obedience competitors; be careful about getting use to lots of praise and using your hands and hand signals. Even if though these are allowed in Rally you don’t want to get into too many bad habits that will be hard to drop when you eventually work your way up or onto another obedience sport! Do as little and as quiet as possible!

I truly believe that this will strengthen the bond between you and your dog, even if you don’t want to compete, check out the signs and train like you are a competitor!

Dog Obedience Training Blog

Paper Training Is The First Step

Posted on February 19, 2012 by

To many people, there is nothing like living in the big city – the lights, the high-rises that glitter in the sun, streets buzzing with the sounds of cars, people throng the sidewalks and stores at all hours…

But can dogs be model citizens in this lifestyle? Can they be properly housetrained not to use the bathroom in your small apartment? Can they be housetrained to go in a specific area laid with papers as you wish? How about outside without making a mess on the sidewalk?

Absolutely! All it takes is a bit of extra work to conquer the unique problems of city dwellers.

Housetraining is really the same whether you live in the country, the suburbs with a yard, or in a high-rise in the city. Your puppy just needs to be educated about where the legal places are to eliminate.

As with suburban dogs, crate training is the best option for training and housetraining your urban dog. From there, though, city folks (as well as others faced with restricted living spaces and lack of yards and parks) often have to be creative.

One common problem, especially with medium and large-sized breeds, is where to put the crate. The good news is that the bathrooms or kitchens of apartments are often so small that they effectively can be used as crates. I’d also like to point out that many companies now make crates that also function as furniture, such as wicker or rattan crates that double as end tables or coffee tables.

Potty On The Papers, Please (change)

A paper training schedule is the same as a regular crate training schedule. The pup sleeps or eats, then goes to the paper area to potty. The pup gets free time with you after he potties and may have to go again after playing. Praise calmly during the act and profusely afterwards so your pup knows exactly what he’s doing right.

Once your pup is regularly going on the papers in the potty area, train him next to find the papers from any part of the apartment. That way, your pup doesn’t believe he can merely step outside the crate and eliminate.

Say to your pup, “Papers!” in a happy voice, then go to the papers together. Then lay on the praise. He will learn to run back to the papers no matter where they are. Going potty in the paper area now becomes fun and exciting for him, and stress-free for you knowing that your dog will not make a mess in your apartment.

Dog House Training