House training an older dog can be a tricky task. Too often, pet owners rush the process and end up with accidents in the house—or worse yet, a frustrated pup who just won’t learn.
But house training your older dog doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With patience and consistency, you can successfully train your canine companion.
Here are some tips to help get you started.
1. Establish a Routine
Creating a consistent routine is key to successful house training for both puppies and adult dogs alike. Establishing regular meal times, potty breaks, and playtime will help your pup understand what’s expected of them and when they need to do it.
When you’re first getting started, take your pup out every hour or so until they get used to their new routine. This will ensure that they don’t have any accidents in the house while they adjust to their new schedule.
2. Reward Good Behavior
Positive reinforcement goes a long way when it comes to house training an older dog. Whenever your pup does something right—like going potty outside or not going in the house—make sure you give them lots of praise and treats.
Rewarding good behavior reinforces positive behavior patterns and helps your dog understand what’s expected of them.
Just make sure you’re consistent with rewards; if your pup receives praise for one thing but not another, they may become confused about what’s acceptable behavior and what isn’t.
3. Set Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries is an important part of any successful house-training program. If there are certain areas of the home that you don’t want your pup entering (like the kitchen or living room), let them know by using verbal cues like “No” or “Out.”
You should also let them know which toys are acceptable for indoor play (like chew toys) and which ones aren’t (like shoes).
By setting firm boundaries from day one, you’ll help ensure that your pup knows exactly what is expected of them at all times.
Conclusion
House training an older dog doesn’t have to be a difficult process as long as you approach it with patience and consistency.
Keep in mind that each dog is different; some may learn faster than others while others may require more time and effort on your part before they fully understand what is expected of them.
Just remember to keep rewarding good behavior, set clear boundaries, and establish a regular routine—and in no time at all, you should have a well-house-trained pup!
