House Training An Older Dog
Unfortunately, house-training an older dog isn't as simple as training a young, alterable puppy. But it is still feasible to house train an adult dog and see great results in a brief time when you use the right strategies.
For success in house-training an older dog, it all begins with strategy… Prior to beginning your training routine, you've got to have the correct perspective so as to house train an adult dog. Patience when housetraining an older dog is important. Contrary to popular belief, you can teach an old dog new tricks, but it could be more difficult if your dog already has negative associations with using the toilet indoors.
If you have adopted an older dog from a shelter, then he may not have received the care he needed and will possibly have developed unacceptable habits. As your dog acclimates to a new home for the first time, changes in environment, food, water, and people can cause protracted stress. This is all the more reason to be patient with your adult dog since he is likely shocked and frightened as he is adjusting to your home.
House training an older dog starts with setting a regular food and toilet schedule. Your dog should be fed 2 to 3 times each day; do not leave his food out at every point. Right after he eats, take him out of doors to dump. Although your dog is an adult, he'll probably not be able to make it clear when he needs to go outside.
When your dog is taken outside on this regular schedule like clockwork, watch him carefully and reward him with a treat and praise each time that he eliminates. This will help your adult dog to realise that he's done something good and was rewarded as a result. The next time that your dog gets frightened and confused, he'll remember this positive association and will likely be more likely to wait to use the toilet outside.
Likewise, when your older dog feeds on a schedule and is not fed table scraps, he will have better bowel control and less digestive issues. Setting this regular elimination schedule when house training an older dog will give him something to look forward to. Your older dog will start to feel secure and more relaxed since he will expect to be taken outdoors multiple times each day. He will be less sure to have accidents indoors out of fear or perplexity.
When housetraining an older dog, it still is beneficial to practice crate training, just as you would with a young dog. Remember, dogs are den animals and have an inherent instinct not to soil where they sleep.
In order for your dog to view his crate as a den and place of rest, you can again use positive organisation. To introduce your dog to the crate, keep the door open with treats within. Allow your dog to explore and find the treats to eat them at his convenience. After a few days, shut the door to the crate when your dog goes in to get a treat. Let him out straight away. After a few more days, shut your dog in the crate for a half hour and build up time in an appropriate way.
A crate can be employed for house training an older dog so that he has security and boundaries when you are away from home. For the most satisfactory results, don't leave your dog in the crate for more than 3 hours unmonitored. It is also important to use a crate that is the same size as your dog so that he will not eliminate in one corner and sleep in another.
Last but not least, watch meticulously for indications that your dog needs to go outside when house training an older dog. After being taken out on a consistent schedule, he may start to scratch or whine to cue you in on when he should go out of doors. Once again, this good behavior should always be rewarded with a treat! This should surely set you on your way to become a knowledgeable dog training expert!
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