house breaking a new puppy

Every Thursday and Friday I like to tour many different pet related forums, mostly forums of popular search engines to read what is on the minds of most pet owners and try and address some of their concerns every Thursday.

This week a puppy owner raised a concern in regards to house training her puppy. Through further on-line research I was able to gather the following.

The good news is that dogs won't willingly soil themselves in their sleeping area. This is why my sister and I used to take turns sleeping with Freedom, our black lab. They would rather go in a designated area each time.

Please bare in mind that puppies have to relieve themselves more often than adults dogs, therefore, it's important that someone is at home during the day to relieve them every few hours. Also you have to expect some accidents until they're properly broken.

You can tell a dog needs to go when he/she starts sniffing the ground for the right spot. You only have literally seconds before the dog pees. Make sure that you have newspaper set in a designated area. Physically pick up the paper and hold he/she there until they urinate.

Remember that dogs have the learning capacity equivalent to that of a two year old toddler. After a puppy makes a mess, never physically disciple or put his/her nose in the mess. This will not register with them but rather make them fear you. Instead praise the puppy after it properly relieves himself.

If anyone has any ideas on research for dog or cat topics, please comment or shoot me an e-mail at the customer service address. I welcome all topic suggestions. Even cute cat and dog jokes are welcome.

Luv Sheila & Freedom.