By Terry Shumsky
TEN COMMANDMENTS OF HOUSEBREAKING
1) THOU SHALT NOT BRING HOME A PUPPY OR ADULT DOG AND EXPECT IT TO KNOW
IMMEDIATELY WHERE THE POTTY IS. Every time they move from one home to another
they need to be taught where to go.
2) THOU SHALT NOT EXPECT A YOUNG PUPPY OF 8-16 WEEKS TO BE HOUSEBROKEN. That's
like expecting a one year old child to be completely potty trained -- It just
AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN.
3) THOU SHALT NOT ALLOW THE NEW PUPPY TO MAKE ALL OVER THE HOUSE AND RUN LOOSE AND THEN WONDER WHY THE DOG GOES BACK TO
THE SAME SPOT TO MAKE. You will have to disinfect the house thoroughly where he
has done his business. White vinegar in the water will help neutralize the
smell because he WILL GO BACK to the spot that smells.
4) THOU SHALT NOT YELL AT THE PUP (DOG) WHEN HE/SHE
GOES IN THE WRONG SPOT. Better than yelling, you need to just clean it up
thoroughly and put the dog where he is supposed to go. Dogs and most animals
learn much better by the PRAISE AND REWARD system.
5) THOU SHALT NOT KEEP THE YOUNG PUPS 6 MONTHS OR
YOUNGER CONFINED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. They are too young until at least 6
months to hold it for that long. Take them out to make frequently and
generously praise and reward them for going where you want them to.
6) THOU SHALT NOT PUT A LONG HAIRED TOY DOG OUT IN
THE RAIN TO MAKE UNLESS YOU WANT TO USE A HAIR DRYER WHEN THEY COME BACK IN. To
do so could cause a chill and tonsilitis and/or tracheobronchitis.
7) THOU SHALT NOT EXPECT AN UN-NEUTERED OR
UN-SPAYED DOG TO HAVE PROPER POTTY MANNERS. It is only nature telling them
(boys and girls) to leave calling cards and scents for the other sex to notice.
Chin up, if they were goats, they would constantly PEE on their heads to make
themselves attractive to the opposite sex.
8) THOU SHALT HAVE A POTTY PLACE GATED OFF FOR YOUR
YOUNG PUPPY AT LEAST UNTIL 6 MONTHS OF AGE. It's unrealistic to expect a young
puppy to be completely trained until then.
9) THOU SHALT SPEND A LOT OF TIME WATCHING THE DOG
WHEN THE DOG IS NEW TO THE HOUSE TO CORRECT BAD HABITS BEFORE THEY START.
10) THOU SHALT READ THESE COMMANDMENTS INSTEAD OF
BEING ANGRY AT THE DOG AND MEND YOUR WAYS. A dog wants nothing more than to
please you.