Training Your Dog to Eliminate Outdoors

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The Equipment You'll Need

1. A Crate

Also known as a kennel or carrier. They are either plastic with wire windows, or are all wire, these type can be collapsed down and transported more easily. They come in various sizes to fit all dogs even the Irish Wolfhound, the tallest dog in the World

I believe they are invaluable. If your dog lived in the woods, it would seek out a den where it could sleep and be secure free from predators and interference. Think of a crate as a den. If its introduced properly your dog will think of the crate as a haven, and in times of stress or tiredness it will go to its den to settle in peace and quiet.

2. Food Treats

It should be something your dog can eat quickly. Pea size is ideal, I use dried liver or cheese or meat sticks.

3. A Lead and Collar

You don't need a check chain they are not required. You can get nearly any dog to walk to heel within 10 minutes with just a good collar and a five foot lead.

4. An Odour Eliminator

You can buy a commercial one or mix one part white vinegar to four parts water or I use biological washing liquid or powder which breaks down the fatty acids and proteins and removes the smell, a quick wipe over with surgical spirit afterwards finishes the job.

The Crate

Mothers keep babies in a playpen when he/she can't be supervised? A crate will do the same for your pup. It will seek out a den to feel protected. It should be small and cosy, therefore do not buy a crate that is to big for your dog. However the dog should be able to turn round comfortably. Dogs rarely soil their own beds therefore if you fill the crate with something like VetBed which can be washed regularly in the washing machine, you will find that toilet training should be quick, painless, and easy.

Rule 1: When your puppy or untrained dog is not supervised, he or she should be in the crate. Place the dog in the crate, give a food reinforcement (a treat) and close it. Wait 15 seconds and then release it and praise. The dog will start to associate the crate with the food. Work the dog up to an overnight stay. If it is noisy, tap on the top and say "Quiet". but don't let the dog out while he is noisy or you will be rewarding his behaviour.

Variable reinforcements work better than fixed ones. When you go out, leave a radio on in another room. Hearing voices will help soothe your dog.

Put a toy or food treat in to keep it occupied. Pet stores sell sterilized bones that are hollow in the middle or Kong's which are the rubber equivalent. The activity Cube has a Maze in the middle where treats are placed,

Dogs are most upset during the first hour after you owner leave. The Bone, Kong or Cube stuffed with goodies becomes the center of the dog's attention This allows the owner to slip out without a fuss. When you return home, remove the bone from the dog's crate, let him out and put the bone away.

Establish Meal Periods

If you feed your dog on a schedule, it will eliminate on a schedule. FREE FEEDING YOUR DOG WILL MAKE THE JOB OF HOUSE TRAINING MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. Establish meal periods. three to four for young puppies and a single or a double meal period for adult dogs. The meal should last for 10 minutes maximum. At the end of the meal remove the food whether or not the dog has eaten, unless instructed otherwise by your veterinarian. If the dog does not eat, he will soon learn that the food will be taken away. This also helps to discourage picky eating habits.

Place Your Dog on Commands

Many owners inadvertently teach their dogs to eliminate indoors. Each time they take it outside they wait for it to eliminate. As soon as it does, they bring it in. So they quickly learn that as soon as they eliminate, they are taken inside. They will learn to hold it until they come inside to prolong the experience.

It makes better sense to train your dog to eliminate on command,. Take your dog out each time your dog begins to urinate, choose a word like "wee",and say it over and over again. After several weeks of hearing "wee" it will eventually act as a trigger. I use a different phrase for defecating. After eliminating, praise while giving a treat. When he has finished, carry on the walk as a reward! If your dog fails to eliminate in 5 minutes, take it home and crate it for a half-hour and then try again.

Each time you take your dog outside say, "Outside". Soon he will learn what outside means Then, if the dog inappropriately urinates inside in your presence, say "Outside" and take it to "its spot". "Outside" becomes an instructive command because it directs the dog to the appropriate elimination place.

Do not punish your dog for messing indoors, this is counter-productive just clean up and keep on with the house training.

Paul Rawlinson Dog Behavioural Specialist

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