I just purchased a 2 year old Welsh Terrier. I think she has been abused. She has always been outside. I take her out for long periods of time, and she doesn't do anything, then when I take her in she goes potty. How can I housebreak her?
By Beverly R.
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Because of the suspected abuse, I would not scold her. I would get some wee-pads and try pad training her. Sit her on the pad and if she does her businesses there praise her... trust is the issue here. No dog is perfect at potty training either.
I like this site, leerburg.com. He has a lot of experience in training dogs.
leerburg.com/
You have to take them out all time at first, and make sure and praise them when they do a good job, and always ask them if they need to go outside. Crate training will be of help and there are many podcasts and articles on marking with treats to teach behaviors. Ed recommends that you only give treats when the dog goes into the crate.
I would suspect the dog will do better with a long walk than just being outside. Here is an excerpt from the article on this link:
Proper Correction
Under no circumstances should the puppy be punished for relieving himself in the house, unless you catch him in the act. The punishment should be a verbal scolding not physical harm.
A puppy has no mental capacity to connect your wrath with whatever he did wrong, even a few minutes earlier. If you cannot get to the pup within 2 seconds of him doing his business then you have screwed up. Pups simply cannot put two and two together to understand why you would be mad about his peeing on the rug. It is confusing to him and you only get a puzzled whimper. Catch him in the act or scolding is no good.
The old adage of rubbing a dogs nose in it is stupid. We don't do this to our kids and we should not do this to our dogs. Anyone who recommends this needs a lot more experience in dog training.
Run over and grab him by the scruff of the neck and gently shake him. This is exactly what his mother did when he did something wrong. This should be accompanied with a harsh NO. Immediately take him outside to finish what he started. This is the only way you can show him what you want. You are catching him in the act, stopping him, taking him outside and then giving him tremendous praise when he finishes....."
Click on this hyperlink and begin reading lots of good information on dog training, and enjoy your new companion!
leerburg.com/
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