Dog Housebreaking
Adopting a 3 year old male dog and housebreaking?
I was thinking about adopting this chihuahua mix (Maybe some Pekingese) neutered male. He isn’t a small one more like 10-20 pounds.
His owner before left him outside all day and then gave him up when his place didn’t allow pets anymore.
I was wondering if you think it will be hard to potty train this dog now?
The dog is in a foster home, but I don’t know if they are training him or just keeping him in a pen.
Hi there.
Firstly, kudos to you for considering helping out a dog in need.
Secondly, I am an animal rescuer and foster caregiver that has housebroken 13 dogs in the past couple years. It’s not hard per se, but is going to take a week or two to iron everything out (though it does depend on the dog and your consistency with training — some are quicker or slower than others).
Smaller dogs are going to need more frequent trips outside to have the opportunity to go out there than bigger dogs (smaller bladders and all).
Definitely consult with the foster caregiver as he/she will have been working on the Potty Training already (he/she won’t want the dog going potty in their house any more then you do in your own). Ask them what they’ve been doing to help the process along.
At least in my own experience, I take the dog outside first thing in the morning (they’re going to have to go the most then). As soon as they start to go to the bathroom I say “Go potty outside” and reward with a treat after they’re done (as to put a positive association with the action and a phrase to go along with it so they understand what they’re being rewarded for).
After the morning walk/potty break, there are 4 or 5 more opportunities to do so (you’ll be able to decrease opportunities once the dog gets the hang of it). Additionally, I would suggest limiting (not depriving) food and water after his last walk so it doesn’t set him up for failure so to speak by having a full bladder or intestine without the opportunity to relieve himself.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
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