Raintree Chinese Crested Index

This is a letter I posted to a person on AOL who was asking for help because her 4 mo old puppy wasn't housebroken... the suggestions are good for a LOT of situations so I'm reprinting it here.

 

Frustrated about Housebreaking???  

 
Lisa-

         PART of the problem is a puppy- just BEING a puppy. The second part is you are probably expecting too much too soon, and not laying the foundation for good house control. Frustration with his lack of performance can lead to serious problems if you don't backstep and start all over again from scratch.


Feed puppy at regular times with the proper food- a concentrated top quality dog food like Eukanuba puppy small bites will provide the proper power-packed nutrition and give you well formed stools with most puppies not upset the tummy. A little bit goes a long way- so you will probably feed slightly less per serving. 


Make sure puppy is properly wormed ( there are 4 types of common parasitic worms-- make SURE you've got them all) 
Take puppy out IMMEDIATELY when he wakes up, ( that doesn't mean after You've gotten ready for work-- that means FIRST thing) Puppies in training can't wait for Your convenience.


Restrict puppy to small areas where you are present at all times... the kitchen or den is a good choice- often having a tile surface- it not only cleans easily- but you can SEE where the puppy goes--- on carpets- you often can't see it until a negative pattern is established.
As soon as you feed- take the food UP and the puppy OUT.... do not leave food laying about--- you want to establish a strict feeding schedule. Puppies need 3-4 feedings a day- as they grow- THEY will show you when to eliminate one of them. By 6 mos- most pups are on 2x per day feedings... it all makes it easier to 'time' your household and potty structure.

General stuff... Toy breeds are high metabolism, active dogs... they need a lot of power-packed calories to create that energy ( some fall to low blood sugar (seizures) when not enough is provided-- something to watch out for) So HIGH quality food is a must. Eating smaller, manageable meals of high quality foods makes it easier to digest- and less sudden accidents with a bad case of the squirts.


Keep 'treats' to a minimum- puppy biscuits are a best choice- and only a few is best. Avoid people food- especially until older. Any alteration of diet could bring on gastric distress... best to avoid it. Chewies -- try a whole carrot.


Now- specifically for cold weather--- Do you remember when you went to 'camp" - woke up toasty warm in the sleeping bag- but had to go to the outhouse for relief---- but when you sat down on that cold stool--- you suddenly couldn't go????? That is a physiological response--a temporary inablitiy for the gut to relieve itself. Same thing with a naked dog--- that shock of cold could have started him with a pattern of 'thinking' he can't go Outside--- but can when he comes into his warm house. This is a common problem in the winter- in very windy or rainy weather... don't blame the dog--- provide him a more protected area to relieve himself is the easier way to go.


He has also established a routine that the home IS his toilet- since you allowed him access to such a large area ( obviously too large for you to SEE him, since hes able to sneak) -- he doesn't usually soil HIS area--- but the rest of the house is fair game.


Get some good baby gates- which he might climb over now that hes getting big... or a crate or exercise pen to confine him to smaller areas--- ONLY let him loose when you are WATCHING him-- none of this will work unless You do Your job... 


VERY few dogs are unhousebreakable, most especially if they are neutered YOUNG--- with a Crested- that means at or even before 4 mos--- but certainly BY 6 mos latest. My veterinarian does early spay/neuters--- all of my puppies go to their new homes already neutered, which makes them far easier to housebreak, and we rarely even use sutures--- merely gluing the incision.


Get a good book on puppy raising and read it carefully. Decide on what you expect of your dog- make black and white rules, be firm but FAIR with corrections, commands and PRAISE. 


And lighten up- don't expect miracles... you need to undo what YOU have established- don't blame the puppy. ( please don't take that as a slam- not meant as one, just the facts. My point is puppies are sponges- absorbing what WE pour into them--- AND- not being ABLE to use the information we Don't give them.) Start over with humor and love--- you'll Both 'get it'.
Marcia Van Woert
Raintree Chinese Cresteds

  write me- but no flames please!