In the world of dogs, there are five golden rules when it comes to training. You’ll also soon learn that consistency and patience are key. And, to really get your dog on board, it’s always best to make the reward worthwhile — which is where the best dog toys and best dog treats come in. The fourth point is to set your dog up for success and, just like you’d never punish your best friend, never do the same to your dog. shitsu dog training Basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” “lie down,” “come,” and “drop it” (among others) can come in handy for any dog training from basic obedience to advanced behavioral modification.

• However, you can potty train your furry friend consistently and patiently.
• This helps you keep control of a variety of situations.
• The key to successful potty training is positive reinforcement.
• Group class training helps your dog learn to focus, even when there are distractions from other dogs.

Plus, it helps to form a bond between the two of you that should last for years. These commands touch on all of the most important pillars of dog training, including recall, holding, and stopping. There are a handful of helpful commands that all Pitbulls should learn. These commands will help you keep your dog under control and will make it easy to manage them inside and outside of the house.

Practice and encourage.

Dr. Burch notes that sometimes house soiling is a sign of a physical issue. “Well before the several month mark, a dog who has seemed impossible to housetrain should have a good veterinary workup,” she says. If your vet finds that your dog is healthy, the next step is to find a trainer or behaviorist who has had experience with this issue. If you frighten or punish him, he might become afraid to potty in front of you and will sneak off to do it somewhere else. If you catch your dog having an accident, say something to get his attention, but do not yell or make such a loud noise that you scare him. Clean up with enzyme cleaner and try to be more observant of your dog’s behavior.

Supervision will still be needed, as well as praise and an occasional reward when the dog eliminates in an appropriate spot. Watch for signs the dog wants to eliminate, such as circling and sniffing corners, and take them to an appropriate spot immediately upon those signs. For the first couple of weeks, a new dog of any age should be supervised when they have full (or even partial) run of the house. During those times when you cannot supervise your dog, it is wise to restrict their movement for the house-training phase. You can do this by using a crate or, for limited periods of time, confining the dog to a small, easy-to-clean room, such as a bathroom equipped with a child gate in the doorway.

Provide the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation. For young puppies, mental stimulation is just as tiring as physical exercise and is safer for their growing bodies. It’s their “doggyness,” not what we think of as their similarity to humans, that makes them so lovable. They do not plot acts of revenge; they are just trying to do what makes them feel happy or safe. It’s easy to get caught up in scolding when your puppy is getting into trouble, but rewarding him out of the blue for being good lets him know he’s doing the right thing. You will be amazed at how much harder your dog will work for a tiny piece of chicken breast, cheese, or liver, compared to even premium store-bought treats.

Apartment dwellers without access to a yard may find the trip on the elevator and out to the boulevard takes longer than their puppies can hold it. Also, when you don’t have a yard, keeping a puppy that is not yet fully vaccinated away from public areas limits your outdoor options. If having the toilet area outside is too difficult for successful potty training, then moving the toilet indoors might be the answer. This natural instinct to keep their sleeping space clean makes a crate a perfect potty-training tool. Teach your puppy to love their crate, so they look forward to gnawing on a chew toy or taking a nap inside.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Crate training is a crucial tool for successful potty training. While you are potty training, your dog should be crated during naptime, bedtime, and whenever they cannot be directly supervised. Each time your puppy eliminates outside, immediately reward them with verbal praise, treats, or a favorite toy.

The longer the dog goes without sufficient training, and the older it gets, the harder training it will be. While puppies have short attention spans, they can generally learn certain commands within their first few weeks of being alive. Ask your dog to do something, and give them a reward for responding correctly.