Anyone who has ever had a dog will tell you that dog house training is one of the most difficult aspects about owning a dog. A human child takes about two to three years to become potty trained. A dog, on the other hand, takes five to six months. Training a dog is not easy, however, it takes time and patience. The important thing to remember is that it can be done. Dog house training doesn’t have to be so dreadful that it deters you from getting a dog. With a few important steps, your dog will become house trained and you will be both be happier because of it.

Start Training Immediately

Dog house training should begin the moment you bring your dog home. If the dog has been in a kennel, such as at the pound or animal control, then it will more than likely have gotten used to going to the bathroom in its kennel. That means that it isn’t used to going outside and will just go when it pleases. The first thing you should get for dog house training is a kennel.

Night Training

A kennel provides a place for your dog to rest and sleep at night. It, of course, would rather be in bed with you. However, if you let the dog out because of the barking, the dog will quickly learn that all it has to do is bark to be let out of its kennel. This cannot happen, so you need to train your dog that it must be kept in the kennel all night.

The reason for this is two-fold. First of all, dogs won’t usually mess where they sleep. By keeping your dog in the kennel all night long, it forces the dog to hold it until it is let out. In the morning, start your dog house training by letting your dog out first thing. It will learn that the morning is the time to do its business.

The second reason why your dog must remain in the kennel all night is because it shouldn’t have access to food and water until the morning. Dogs, especially puppies, have small bladders and will likely have to use the bathroom after drinking or eating. By providing them with meals and water only at certain times, you can further stress an eating schedule, and you will be training your dog to hold it until it is time to go outside.

Training Schedule

What you are doing is providing your dog with a schedule. Let the dog out every few hours and it will learn how to use the bathroom outside. Don’t give the dog food or water until right before you go outside. With enough time and patience, your dog will be potty trained before you know it.

If your dog does mess inside, despite its dog house training, simply put it in the kennel as a ‘time-out.’ Only put your dog in the kennel for a few minutes, however, as your dog is likely to forget after a while why you put it in the kennel to begin with.

It is also important to stress that you must let your dog out of its kennel at the same time every day. If dog house training isn’t working, it is likely not the fault of the dog but your fault. If you are not consistent with your training, your dog won’t know what you are asking of it. Be clear what you want and your dog will probably be more than happy to please you.

A potty trained dog is a happy dog. Just remember, having clean floors and owning a dog are not, by any means, mutually exclusive.