Re: Housebreaking and Using a Leash

In Reply to: Housebreaking and Using a Leash
Posted by:  Christine
Posted on:  December 28, 2001 at 08:20:07

: We have had our (almost) 4-month old JRT for a week now. We are crate training her and trying to housebreak her. We have previously done this with a shelter-rescued hound and had no problems. This little one is giving me a problem.

: First off, she has not yet had an accident in the house. We let her out frequently and I have yet to see her urinate or deficate outside. But, she keeps doing it in her crate. I feed her three times a day and let her out at the necessary times. Her last feeding is around 5:00 p.m. Some mornings she has gone in her crate, some mornings she hasn't. She doesn't necessarily go out in the yard in the morning either. Then I put her back in her crate and within the hour, she goes in her crate.

: The other thing I'm TRYING to do is put her on a leash and take her to a specific spot and have her "go" there. Well, she hates the leash. As soon as I put it on, her "brakes" go on and she will not walked. I try to give her little tugs to get her moving and I just end up dragging her. I end up carrying her to the spot in the yard and she just sits there all mad.

: I've not experienced this behavior before and this will be my 5th dog I've owned. What can I do for both of my problems?
: Christine

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Hi Christine,

Housebreaking JRTs can be a challenge even for the most experienced dog owner.

Just letting her out is not doing it. It's good that you are trying to leash her and take her out because at this stage they need someone to stay out there with them.

Here's what you need to do as far as leash training. Do this indoors and snap a leash on her collar and let her go wherever she wants to go. Don't pull on the leash and don't try to direct her where YOU want her to go. Stay and watch her and untangle her if you need to but don't pick up the leash as to walk her. Do this for a few days at different intervals for just a few minutes. As you know a puppy's attention span is about a nano-second.

After you have done this first exercise for a day or so, then you can lightly pick up the lead and just follow where she goes. At some point you can try to lead her where you want to go. If she protests (and she probably will) just get down near her level call out her name (not harshly). If she doesn't come give a gentle pull on the leash. Never jerk the leash because you will end up back at step one. When she comes to you praise her and then walk ahead with the leash in your hand (please remember this is a puppy that takes puppy steps so pace yourself accordingly). Repeat these steps until you get the puppy to walk along with you.

Leash training is essential to housebreaking. In the interim you must stay out with her and encourage her to go. Many people make the mistake of just letting their pup out in the back assuming they will tend to their needs. This is not usually the case. There are SO MANY other temptations outside that they soon forget all about going potty and the next thing you know once they are inside they remember!

I always recommend while potty training a pup to give commands in the process of housebreaking. As soon as your pup starts to pee outside say "Go pee" or whatever you decide as a command. Once a dog learns a potty command it really helps in getting them to do their business much faster. You want to keep them focused on why they are outside.

Remember once your pup does all its elimination outside, don't dally. Immediately get the pup/dog back in the house. The logic behind this is to make the dog associate outside with bathroom time and not goofing around time.

You might want to try making the crate smaller. If your pup is soiling in one spot of the crate and sitting in another then the crate is too big.

Make sure to keep your pup on a strict food/water schedule and many people make a mistake by giving treats and then wonder why the dog is still pooping in the house. When you are housebreaking a dog, treat giving is a no no. If you are having problems with a pup urinating then you should put water down when you are feeding (a pup of 4 months should be getting 3 meals a day) put the water down with the food, allow the pup 15-20 minutes to eat and drink and then pull the bowls up. Allow the pup to drink as much water as it wants during its meal times.

Remember the amount of water required for any dog will vary according to its age, activity level, climate and humidity so please keep this in mind. You do NOT want your dog dehydrated. Dehydration have SERIOUS consequences and I firmly believe that water rationing should be discussed with your vet beforehand.

Patience and consistency is the key to housebreaking. Some dogs pick it up quickly and others take longer.