How to potty train a shelter dog?

Some people are hesitant to adopt a dog from a shelter for fear that it will not be able to train it to use the toilet on the street. In part, these fears can be understood: unfortunately, shelter dogs are not always lucky with a full and regular walking. But still, even a dog from a shelter can be taught to “do its own thing” on the street. 

Photo: pixabay.com

To do this, it is necessary, first of all, to understand why the dog leaves puddles and heaps at home. And depending on the cause of uncleanliness, develop a plan of action.

Why do shelter dogs “go to the bathroom” at home?

1. Perhaps your pet is too smallto endure. If you have a dog that is under a year old, it is likely that two times a day is just not enough for her.
2. If we are talking about an adult dog, the reason may lie in health problems (eg, cysts).
3. Sometimes a dog is just does not understandthat the place for the toilet is outside.
4. misaligned feeding and walking. If you feed the dog at the same time, then she will want to go to the toilet “on schedule”. If you do not have a clear schedule for feeding and walking, the task of learning to endure for a dog becomes almost impossible or, in any case, difficult.
5. As a rule, dogs try not to go to the toilet “in the den”, but if a puppy lives in a cage from early childhood, then because of the cramped conditions, he willy-nilly loses disgust and in this case, even an adult dog feels quite comfortable, leaving traces of vital activity in the house.
6. dog can be spelled because of fear, for example, when firecrackers explode on the street or at the moment of punishment.
7. If the dog pees when you come home, this is a sign excessive submission.
8. Puddles at home can be a manifestation marking behaviorwhen the dog marks certain items as its own.

How to potty train a shelter dog?

1. If you’re dealing with a puppy (under 1 year old), don’t get frustrated by occasional puddles at home. In the morning it is better to go for a quick walk before the pet “inflates” the ocean, and in general try to walk more and more.
2. If we are talking about an adult dog, first contact for consultation with a veterinarianto exclude diseases (for example, cystitis). There is a chance that after treatment the problem of uncleanliness will disappear.
3. If the dog is not accustomed to the toilet on the street or has lost its squeamishness, you will have to be patient. Take note of how much she can tolerate and walk the dog as often as possible (ideally shortly before you estimate she wants to go to the bathroom). If it seems to you that the pet is about to go to the toilet at home (for example, thinking, spinning or sniffing), put him down, dress as quickly as possible and run with him outside. Do not punish the dog if it “fined” and left traces of vital activity at home. BUT praise your pet for puddles and piles on the street and do not skimp on rewards – this way the dog will understand that he can “make good money” by “selling” such behavior to you, which means he will try to “bring” everything to the right place.
4. Set feeding and walking and strictly adhere to it.
5. If the dog is pissing out of fear, it is necessary deal with this stateand as soon as you help the dog cope with the panic, the uncleanliness will disappear.
6. If your dog pees when you get home, try improve contact with your pet. Be gentle with him, and when you enter the apartment, do not lean over the dog, but greet him with your voice and do not pay attention to him until the excessive excitement has passed. As a rule, this behavior disappears by 7 – 8 months.
7. Wash places thoroughlythat the dog uses as a toilet (you can use a weak solution of vinegar) so that there is no smell left.

Photo: wikimedia.org

Don’t despair and don’t give up! Even a dog that lived on the street all its life before it came to you can be accustomed to cleanliness.

If you can’t manage on your own, you can contact a professional who can help you put together a plan of action to teach your dog to be clean.