Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximo  For potty training, I strongly advocate positive reinforcement. If you catch her going somewhere she isn't supposed to go, say, "Uh uh uh" or "uh oh" and take her to the pad. Use keywords like "potty here." She won't have to go right away, but it reinforces the idea.
For puppies or any dog in training, limit freedom to a smallish area, an xpen or small room, especially when you can't supervise closely. This keeps the pad within easy reach and diminishes temptation to go somewhere else.
Praise when she gets it right. Get really excited like she just performed the best trick in the world, and then give her a little treat.
Be sure to clean the accidents sites thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner to eliminate the scent that might tempt her to return. |
I agree the praise has to be really enthusiastic. But beware, once I was really really surprised and I shouted out in happiness and I scared the sh*t out of Uni.
Oops.
I have to say that I do punish. When they do something I don't want, I talk to them in a very stern voice. If it's pee or ransacked trash I take them to the spot and point to it. They know. As soon as I bring them there, it's all ears down and tail between the legs. I make them sit near the mess and I give a two finger tap on the rear flank (not a spank at all) and say a "bad boy" or "bad girl". Then I take them to where they are supposed to be and change my tone to very cheerful and happy, and their tails automatically go from tucked to wagging and then that is it. But if they do it again, I do the same thing again. That's what has worked for me. But it has not worked with every dog I've fostered so you just have to see what works for you dog.
I'd say don't change up your method for a good few weeks or so; until you are sure it doesn't work for your dog, don't change your method. You'll just confuse the dog.
Sometimes I put Uni in a time out. She's the only dog I've taken care of that does a very good stay. So if she gets in trouble she gets put in time out for five mins and she can't leave until I give her the ok. I think that is a punishment, but I don't think that word is so bad. Discipline and punishment is not abuse.