House training a dog requires constant supervision.
Rescue dogs are turned over to a rescue organization for a variety of reasons. In addition to divorce and moving, people tend to purchase dogs based on the cuteness factor and fail to realize that different breeds of dogs have different temperaments, sizes and needs. As the dog gets older, the owners realize they are not able to care for the dog and seek the help of a rescue organization. Rescue dogs have often been kept outside or were never properly house trained before the dog owner surrendered the animal and may need to be house trained.
Instructions
1. Train the dog to spend time in his crate. Dogs find comfort within a confined space and have a natural instinct to avoid urinating or defecating in the area where they sleep. Put a shirt or towel with your scent in the kennel to help the dog adjust to his new home. Keep the dog in his crate unless he is with you until he is house trained. Most dogs that are not puppies can hold their urine throughout the night so begin your training first thing in the morning.
2. Remove the dog from the kennel and put him on a leash. Take him, immediately, outside to the area you want him to learn to use as his potty spot. As you walk outside use the word you wish to associate with bathroom. This could be "potty," "bathroom," or any other word you choose. Keep him in the area and on the leash until he goes to the bathroom. Praise the dog highly upon urination or defecation. This can include giving the dog a treat.
3. Bring the dog inside and allow him access to a very small portion of the home. Use baby gates or close doors to keep him confined. Watch the dog at all times. If you see signs of him circling or sniffing the ground in search of a spot, take him outside and allow him the chance to use the bathroom. Shout a loud "NO!" if you catch him actually beginning to use the bathroom and immediately take him outside. Do not continue to scold the dog and do not rub the dog's face in the mess. Simply remove him outside and allow him to continue. The dog will catch on that outside is where he uses the bathroom.
4. Allow the dog access to the house for no more than one hour. Put the dog back in his crate after some free time in the house. Take the dog back outside after two to three hours in his crate. This process will not allow the dog much opportunity to use the bathroom in the house and will give him ample opportunities to use the bathroom in the proper place and receive a large amount of praise. Stretch the times allowed in the house as the dog gets better at going to the bathroom outside.
5. Take the dog outside within a few minutes after each meal. Dogs often need to defecate within 10 to 20 minutes after eating. Do not allow the dog to have free access to water and food during the house training process.
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