How to Potty Train a Puppy

July 16, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Potty Training a Puppy

Still struggling with potty training your puppy? I have potty training tips for you! These work for a new puppy, an older puppy, a newly adopted dog and even a dog that suddenly begins pottying in the house.

Step 1: Create a Set Schedule

This is a huge step. Consistency is key for potty training success. Create a daily schedule for your puppy, such as:

7 a.m.: Wake up and potty.
7:15 a.m.: Feed.
7:30 a.m.: Potty (puppies and dogs will usually poop after they eat).
7:40 a.m.: Supervised playtime.
8 a.m.: Crate time with a food stuffed toy.
10 a.m.: Potty.
10:15 a.m.: 30-min walk in neighborhood.
10:45 a.m.: Water break.
11 a.m.: Crate time. Repeat the above example throughout the day.

Step 2: Confine Your Dog When Unsupervised

Keeping your puppy in a crate (or behind a gate in a small room) teaches your puppy to hold it. This is new for many puppies, but we need to teach them this valuable skill. Crate training should be fun. Your dog should love his crate, as this is his private spot where scrumptious food stuffed toys hide. As a general rule, your puppy should be crated for a maximum of 4 hours at a time. This rule applies for older dogs too. For young puppies, calculate 1 hour per 1 month of age (2 months old, 2 hours; 3 months old, 3 hours and so forth). Keep your puppy in his crate when you are unable to watch him closely even if for a few minutes when cooking dinner or taking a shower. Many pet owners worry their puppies are crated too much during potty training. However, it’s vital your puppy learns potty training skills. Once your puppy has been accident-free for two days, he earns more time outside of his crate. Also, make sure your puppy has plenty of playtime outdoors, regular walks and lots of food stuffed toys to keep him mentally and physically entertained.

Step 3: Bring Your Puppy or Dog to a Designated Potty Area on Leash

Potty Training on Leash — Potty training on leash.

Many times, I’ve heard: “I let my dog out in the yard to potty, but she came back in the house and peed on the rug!” Oops! Your dog was having way too much fun outside and forgot to potty. 🙂 We need to teach puppies to potty first, then they can play. Bring your puppy on leash to the most boring part of your yard and wait. He will sniff around, pull on the leash (keep your feet planted in one spot like a tree), and it will happen. If your dog has not pottied within 15 minutes, then bring him indoors and put him in his crate (he is learning to hold it). Wait about 20 minutes, bring him back outside to the boring spot and wait. Repeat this process if nothing happens. When your dog does potty in his designated potty area, do the potty dance! The potty dance looks like: high-pitched praise while jumping up and down. You’re cheering for your fur baby! I promise, your neighbors are not watching. 🙂 Now, unclip the leash from his collar, as he has earned playtime in the yard.

RELATED: Housebreaking a Puppy

Measuring Success

It’s our job to teach dogs where they can potty. When your dog potties in the right spot, you have taken one step forward. When your dog potties in the wrong spot, you’ve taken two steps back. Think about it from your dog’s point of view: who would not want to potty inside? It’s climate controlled with plenty of thick carpet to absorb everything. Our dogs are smart! Teach your dog to signal you when he needs to potty. Some pet owners attach bells that hang from the backdoor knob, and your puppy pushes the bell to signal he needs to potty. Personally, I recommend watching your puppy’s body language and choosing a specific signal, which means, “Oh, you need to potty? Let me grab the leash!” This signal can be puppy pacing in front of you, puppy standing by the backdoor, puppy touching your foot or arm with his nose or paw. Choose the signal and stay consistent. The moment your puppy performs the potty signal, bring him outside. Many times, our puppies become confused when they begin to potty in the house, as they know this will get your attention and you’ll bring them outside. Many owners worry their dogs will potty signal, meaning they want to go outside and play instead of pottying outside. I would not worry about this too much, as your puppy is leashed and potties in the most boring part of your yard (for right now). This may happen when they become adults. However, it can easily be fixed. 🙂

A Few Side Notes

If an older dog, whom was previously potty trained, suddenly begins to have accidents in the house, always consult with your veterinarian first. Always rule out a UTI or other ailments.
For folks living in the city and want to teach your puppy or dog to potty on puppy training pads (or litter train), click on the blue link for specifics. You will use the three-step potty training process. However, I’ve included a few extra tips for you!
Remember, your crate is not punishing your dog. The crate is teaching him to hold it. If you bring him indoors and he has free roam of your home, he will sneak off and potty in another room (usually the formal dining room since no one really uses that room anyways).
If you are following the steps and your puppy or dog is pottying on his crate bedding, remove it for one week. Sometimes, dogs will potty on their bedding as it absorbs their urine (the mess is gone!). You can certainly add crate bedding in later. However, we are teaching the puppy to hold it in the crate so let’s set them up for success. 🙂
Accidents will happen so don’t worry. Clean the area with pet enzyme-based spot cleaners and vow to watch your puppy closer.
Lastly, punishment is useless for potty training. It’s the truth. If you punish for accidents, you’ve confused the dog. Trust me, it does not work. Accidents mean to keep a closer eye on your dog while loose and it’s that simple!

Potty training takes time, consistency and learning your dog’s signal and sticking to the plan. Please note your questions in the comments section below!

READ ALSO: How to Stop a Puppy From Biting

Crate Training

July 16, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Crate Training a Puppy

In the dog world, there are many opinions on how to crate train your puppy and I’ll share mine. But first, I need to explain what crate training is not:

A crate is not used for punishment ever.
Dogs should not be left in their crates longer than 4 hours at a time. If you work an 8-to-5 job, please hire a pet sitter. Pet sitters are worth every penny. You will definitely get your return on investment. 🙂 You can begin searching and interviewing pet sitters here.

Keep these thoughts in your mind as I explain how to crate train your puppy or dog. 🙂

Choosing a Crate

A dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably.
For a fast growing puppy, choose a crate he can fit in as an adult. These large crates have a moveable divider so you can adjust as your puppy grows.
If a crate is too big (too long or wide), your puppy will sleep in the front and poop in the back- oops! 🙂

RELATED: Choosing a Dog Crate

Purpose of a Crate

Teaches your dog bladder and bowel control, and basically how to hold it.
Provides your pooch a relaxing and safe napping place and a getaway from distractions (visitors, children playing, etc.).
Serves as a secure and safe place to leave your puppy alone when no one is home (keeps him from chewing drapes, carpet, furniture, electrical cords, etc.).
Serves as a great tool when traveling with your dog!

Once upon a time, a puppy was left alone in the apartment all day (no crate was used). He chewed through the drywall and entered the next door neighbor’s apartment and destroyed his home too! Yes, it happened!

Training Your Dog to Go in His Crate

Plan on teaching your puppy these steps before you plan on leaving him alone. This will take 1-2 days to teach, depending on your training skills.

Step One

Start by tossing a treat in your puppy’s crate so he can walk in and eat it. Keep the crate door open so he can come right back out. Repeat this 10 times in a row.

Step Two

Toss a larger treat in the crate. As he enters and eats the treat, close the door. Once he is done eating his treat, open the door and let him out. Say nothing, as the reward is the crate door opening. Repeat this 10 times in a row.

Tip: Toss the treat in the back of the crate so your dog walks all the way inside the crate. Please don’t push your puppy inside.

Good girl, she goes in her crate! — Crate training. Good girl!

Training Your Puppy to Stay in His Crate Quietly

Step One

Hide treats in his crate (10 treats) and then open the crate door. Once your puppy goes in the crate, close the door behind him. Once he is done eating the treats, open the door so he can step out.

Step Two

Hide 2-3 treats in his crate and close the door after your dog steps all the way inside. Once he is finished eating these treats, throw a few treats in the crate with him (crate door is still closed). Throw treats five times in a row about 10 seconds apart. If you wait too long to give him treats, he will begin to whine in his crate. We want him to learn that staying in his crate quietly earns treats!

Step Three

Throw a larger treat (biscuit) in his crate and close the door once he walks inside. Take a few steps away from the crate, then walk over and toss one treat in the crate. Count two seconds silently (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi), walk over and toss another treat in the crate. Repeat until your dog can stay in his crate for 10 seconds (Move slowly. We don’t want him to whine!). After 10 seconds, toss a treat and open the crate door. Great job!

Step Four

Add a luscious food filled toy in his crate. He only gets this wonderful reward when he is in his crate. Toss the filled toy in his crate, walk away and let him enjoy!

RELATED: Puppy Training Classes

Troubleshooting

Barking/whining in crate:

Oops, if this happens, you moved too quickly with the above steps. Take a few steps back and begin again. If your dog is whining, don’t open the crate until he is quiet (opening the crate door is a reward).
Ensure your dog has plenty of exercise (a minimum of a 30-minute walk) before going in his crate.
Freeze his food stuffed toy so it will last longer.
If your puppy or adult dogs whine at night, bring him potty on leash, and put him back in his crate with a treat. You are not rewarding whining, as he may very well need to potty. We don’t want puppies to learn to potty in his crate. 🙂
If your dog is pottying on his crate bedding, remove it for a week until he learns to hold it. Once he understands to potty outside, you can add his bedding back.

Barking at visitors when in crate:

Set up a bowl of treats about 6 feet from your dog’s crate.
Put dog in his crate.
When guests walk by, toss a treat into your dog’s crate and keep walking past him.
Have all guests play this game. Soon your dog learns guests equals treats.

Leaving your dog alone in crate:

Before leaving your puppy alone in his crate, exercise him mentally and physically.
Leave a frozen food stuffed toy in his crate anytime you leave. (A frozen food stuffed toy will help puppies while teething.)
Play soft music in the background. Dogs have excellent hearing. Try crinkling a potato chip bag when your dog is upstairs, he will come running! Help him tune out neighborhood dogs’ barking, nearby construction and sirens. I recommend Through a Dog’s Ear Music. I have the entire series and it works! I will admit it helps calm me too, especially when I’m stuck in traffic. 🙂
This may sound hokey, but spraying lavender has proven to calm dogs (and humans!). What will it hurt? At least your house will smell wonderful!
Another tool I recommend are Dog Appeasing Pheromone Sprays and Diffusers. Personally, I’ve had wonderful results and have a diffuser plugged in near my dogs’ crates. There is supporting research on DAP’s effectiveness.

In the comments below, tell us how you create a spa atmosphere in your dog’s crate.

READ ALSO: Dog Time Out

Dog Trainer Karen Pryor

June 23, 2014 by Fanna Easter

As a dog trainer, Karen Pryor brought clicker training to the industry of dog trainers in the mid-1980s. Her background comes from a career in marine mammal biology and behavioral science. More than 40 years ago, Karen pioneered force-free training methods for animals by using a clicker and a guide stick as a means to training animals, specifically dogs, with positive reinforcement training methods.

Karen has done remarkable things in the industry, not only for dog trainers, but she has also done cognitive research of many species of animals.

She is an accomplished author of many books and research papers, including her infamous book “Don’t Shoot the Dog.”

She began by training dolphins using a whistle and soon figured out that she wanted to bridge her dolphin training experience with other applications, such as dog training.

Karen Pryor on Training Animals

In the training video below, Karen Pryor explains the simplicity of using positive reinforcement training to train her beta fish. She demonstrates how these techniques can be used to train just about any animal with a marker, target object and training treat.

VIDEO: An Introduction to Target Training a Fish!

“Don’t Shoot the Dog” was published in 1984 and quickly changed the landscape of the dog training industry. What dog trainers refer to as clicker training was adapted from an application of Animal Behavior Analysis invented and developed by Keller Breland, Marian Breland Bailey, and Bob Bailey.

Dog Trainer Books by Karen Pryor

Karen Pryor has published 21 unique works throughout her career, including:

“Clicker Training for Dogs” (1999)
“Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs” (2001)
“Click To Win: Clicker Training for the Show Ring” (2002)
“Getting Started: Clicker Training for Cats” (2003)
“Click Tricks: 10 Fun and Easy Tricks Any Dog Can Learn” (2010)

VIDEO: Cat Clicker Training in Action

She continued to blow the dog training world away with “Reaching the Animal Mind.” According to ClickerTraining.com, the book “describes how to bring out the undiscovered creativity, intelligence, and personality of the animals in our lives.” She expanded the first edition of “Don’t Shoot the Dog,” and went into a much deeper level on how animals learn in her revised edition of “Don’t Shoot the Dog – The New Art of Teaching and Training.”

She has spoken all across the globe about the neurobiology and behavior science, including a lecture she gave during a TagTeach seminar in 2012.

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Types of Service Dogs

June 6, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Service Dogs Helping People in Need

We can train a dog to assist a person in every aspect of his life. How wonderful! Every day, I hear of another way a dog has touched someone’s life. Have I said how much I worship dogs? Let’s discuss the top five purposes for a service dog, in which dogs have enriched lives even further.

Top 5 Service Dog Types

Vision/Hearing Impairment

Service dogs are extensively trained to guide a person around his home, neighborhood, shopping centers, airports and so much more. Training a service dog can take over 1 year. Service dogs used for the vision and hearing impaired have been trained for years to stop at curbs, go around cars, alert a person of sounds and keep both of them safe.

Seizure Alert

Not knowing when a seizure happens can be frightening and many people have stayed hidden in their homes afraid a seizure may happen anytime and anywhere. Somehow, service dogs are able to detect when a person is going to have a seizure and no one can give specifics on how they know. Could it be a specific scent or behavioral change in the person? Maybe. Dog trainers don’t know for sure, but well trained service dogs can detect seizures minutes or hours before they happen. When seizure alert dogs alert a person, they usually sit or lay on them. This cues the person to take medication or move to a safe place.

Diabetic Alert

As with a seizure alert dog, service dogs for diabetics are able to detect when a diabetic person’s blood sugar drops to a dangerous level. Per Dogs 4 Diabetics Inc. notes, “Our dogs are trained to identify a scent obtained from a diabetic when the diabetic is undergoing a low (blood sugar generally below 70). This type of service dog is trained to identify that particular scent from other scents that are presented to them.” Dogs are trained to sit, lay on, stare, nose push the person to let him know his blood sugar has dropped.

Assistance

This covers a wide range, as dogs are taught to complete everyday tasks for people whom are unable to. Dogs are taught to pick up dropped items, pull a wheelchair, turn lights off/on and stand and brace themselves so a person can place a hand on the dog’s back to assist with the person standing up.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Many people suffer from PTSD for many different reasons. These injuries are commonly found with military veterans returning from war. Many times, veterans come back from a tour with PTSD and/or traumatic brain injury. Soldiers and veterans with these injuries are generally withdrawn, angry, show signs of increased anxiety and can’t stop thinking about what they have endured while at war. Dogs have found a way into their hearts. Service dogs are often assigned to these veterans to help heal from such tragic situations and flashbacks. I’ve seen young soldiers whisper their most terrifying moments in a dog’s ear, knowing they’ll never be heard and judged. The power of service dogs in these types of circumstances are extraordinary.

Did you know dogs are able to detect cancer in urine and cancerous melanomas? I’m sure dogs are able to detect many more illness. We just need to learn how to listen to our dogs. Hug your dog today and smile when you see a service dog doing his job. He deserves the utmost respect and gratitude.

Are you following us on Twitter? Follow us @DogTrainNation.

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Service Dog Certification

June 6, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Training Service Dogs

Service Dog Certification — Learn how to become a service dog trainer.

As a dog trainer, I’m often asked how to become a service dog trainer by up-and-coming dog trainers.

Becoming a Service Dog Trainer

To become a certified service dog trainer, first you will need a dog training certification as your foundation. Understanding dog behavior and training is key to training a service dog for any need. As a professional dog trainer with over 22 years of dog training experience in the field, I strongly believe in becoming a certified dog trainer before moving on to service dog training.

Continuing your education as a dog trainer is a lot like adding new additions to your home. After the foundation has been laid, it requires walls and a roof before you can build the garage and the bathrooms. A person never stops updating a house. A home will eventually need landscaping, painting, windows and doors. Think of this home building analogy in terms of your growth in the expertise of dog training.

Like a home, your dog training career and the level of behavior training and analysis that you gain each day is what will help your dog training career blossom into certified service dog training.

RELATED: Service Dogs

Many students of Animal Behavior College go on to pursue service dog training, working with organizations like Train A Dog Save A Warrior (TADSAW), Canine Companions for Independence, Big Paws Canine Foundation, and Forever Paws.

Service dog training is an extension of your current skill level as a certified dog trainer. Always, always, always keep continuing your education. As a dog trainer and behavior specialist, you should never stop learning!

5 Ways to Become a Certified Service Dog Trainer

Volunteer (Foundation): This is vital! Volunteering exposes you to so many different parts of dog training from puppy raisers to meeting new people in the service dog industry. If someone asks me the first step to becoming a pet dog trainer, I always tell that person to volunteer at a shelter, as he will learn so much while positively impacting these dogs’ lives. I recommend Guide Dogs of the Blind.

Learn Dog Training Basics (Walls of House): This includes learning the nuts and bolts of training, such as how to teach basic polite behaviors. Also, you will learn how to positively socialize a dog, troubleshoot when a dog becomes confused, set a dog up for success and link behavior together (behavior chains), such as teaching a dog to turn off lights by pawing the light switch. There are many dog training schools out there. I recommend Animal Behavior College and then take Karen Pryor Academy Professional Course (I strongly advise taking a basic course before taking the KPA course, as you must have dog training experience before enrolling in KPA).

Service Dog Schools (Roof): There are many service dog schools scattered across the U.S. and I would recommend contacting them, looking at their syllabi and requirements and speaking to former graduates. For a quick peek at service dog schools, view Service Dogs Inc. Again, there are many others out there and your volunteering and chosen dog training courses will guide you in the right direction.

Certifications (House Inspections): I am a firm believer in dog training certifications, as anyone can hang a shingle outside and call himself a dog trainer. I recommend Animal Behavior College Dog Trainer – Level 2 Certification, Council of Certified Pet Dog Trainer and International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Continuing Education (Home Improvements): As a dog trainer, you should never stop learning. There will always be new, updated and easier ways to train a dog. I recommend attending Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, APDT Dog Training Conference, Clicker Expo Dog Training Conferences and at least one or two dog training seminars per year. Read everything. You can start by reading this list at IAABC Required Reading List and Basic Dog Training DVDs.

I’ve been very lucky to mentor some great dog trainers and this has been the path I’ve always recommended, depending on which category my student has chosen. Please, never stop learning.

Tell us how you have become a service dog trainer. Leave us a comment in the section below.

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