House Training Your Rottweiler

POTTY OUTSIDE DOGGIE!

Some people will tell you that the easiest and best way to train your dog to let you know when it's time to go outside is run them to the door as soon as they've already started to do the deed, or twiddle-deed ;) on the floor! But....

• I'm going to begin with what my very own training techniqued worked from my Rotties first day and night home! (Actually you might need to do this the first few months, but it's well worth your patience to do it!!)

It was kinda difficult, but if you want the rest of your dogs life to be happy-go-lucky and not have floor accidents, then you'll stick with this until they get it. Even if it does take a month or two or you need help with your timing!

If you're a couple with a new dog, this is a family member, so take turns doing the outside, come rain or shine to train your pet! :)

The thing about Rotties is they are extremely smart, and they LIVE to please you!

The thing that will make your Rottie (or other dog as well) your loyal protector, is treating them right. They will look to you for everything they do, and they'll do their best at being your best friend (and not going potty by the door, rather than letting you know they need to go outside! I'm not saying other dogs are not smart, but Rotts just have a way about them, that shows their intelligence, and pride! When you raise your pup with praise, it gaines good self esteem and they show it off too! Baby them, they'll be a baby, hurt them, and they lose trust in you, a rottie never needs to be taught to be protective, THEY JUST ARE loyal to the person they love most.

• I'll fill you up with some more really cute Rottie photos of my dog, but I am sorry all of the baby photos of her are gone. But for now, let's just concentrate on getting your dog to let you know it's time to go OUTSIDE! :)

When you bring your new puppy home, treat it as if you just brought home a new baby! Seriously, you don't have to sing it to sleep lol, (you can of course) but this focus is getting that new pup to let ya know when to go out. Already have a place for your dog to call "home" it's own place, whether it is a crate, just a cute little bed or more importantly some place BY YOU.

It's your first night with your new puppy. All the excitement has calmed down and it's time for bed. NOT FOR YOU, not for the one whose going to be spending the majority of their time with the dog. Say you go to bed at 9pm. Regardless of if you have to be up at 5 to go to work, this is going to help you out in the long run, but set your clock at midnight!

• Yes, MIDNIGHT. If you fall asleep by 10ish, you should have already taken your puppy outside, and in rain/snow/sleet/cold/hot regardless, you get an umbrella and bundle up if need be and go outside IN your nightclothes/robe.

Whether you know it or not, your dog knows your actions, and will learn that putting on a housecoat or other coat MAY mean you're leaving or going, or YIPPIE they're going too! They will learn you get this in time.

You take your puppy out, keeping the lil' thing on leash! Sit down in a comfortable chair, AWAY from your entrance. Animals already have a "mark their territory" instinct, so lets not confuse them. After all, you've been on the planet X amount of years, this baby's been here a few months! They need to LEARN. And in a positive way.

Keeping your pup close to you or in one spot, keeps consistency of where to go later, so guests don't get, um, shall we say, dirty shoes! Once you've settled yourself, talk to your new pup. Tell them "potty now Bingo"(or your pets name,) try to always use their name. In this case together you and I have a dog named Bingo! lol. Don't worry about patting their behind when you say it, it's not time to praise the dog while teaching them to potty outside. We praise them AFTER business is taken care of, and right away. This instills that the pet knows he's done the right thing!

As your chattering on at words your young pup will not yet understand for months to come, you're still in communication with your dog, and getting it used to your voice. Tell them anything from a story to the days complaints about work, spouse, etc. Keep a close watchful eye on Bingo! Your words have calmed your pet, and they've probably circled 20 times, and now they're doing what you've waited for! They squating to potty! Be very quiet, then, and let the dog do their thing. Come on now, nobody (even your pet) wants to be interrupted during this time! lol.

• As soon as that pup is done, give the dog HIGH PRIASES. USING THEIR NAME. "Bingo, you are such a good boy for going potty outside" "What a GOOD GOOD BOY" While patting them on the head, and since they're still small, just pick them up an give them a "good doggie" encouragement! Then take the dog DIRECTLY INSIDE!

This teaches your dog, that it went outside, and got praised for it. They are in the sense that children are when they vie for your attention! But ok, you're sleepy, you've got to get up in the morning! Put Bingo in his bed, you get in yours! Oh, and if you have a scared Bingo, leave a night light by his bed! It actually helps keep them quiet if for it's first few months is spent with you as close as you can be without sleeping in the same bed LOL! :)

• Just as soon as you've gotten into a good sleep, that alarm clock is going to summons you to take Bingo outside! EVEN IF THE DOG HAS FALLEN TO SLEEP, curled up and warm, STILL, you GET OUT OF BED, grab your sweater or even umbrella, and take Bingo back outside in the place where you'll want to be deemed "potty area." Don't think Bingo will know what's going on yet. Still a baby, he will wait for you to start talking, and hearing your voice, so go ahead, talk about anything just do it softly and calmly! As soon as Bingo has done the deed, regardless of how big or small, PRAISE THAT DOG! What a good baby!!! Take him in and let him get a few laps of water, and maybe even a treat.

*****We don't ALWAYS need to treat! Don't make your dog ever think just because they've done good they are going to get a treat because they'll expect one every time. Not only are too many, not really good for your dog, but a treat is just that, a treat! Sometimes good sometimes not! You'll want your dog to obey other commands so don't make them expect a treat! I believe this is an important part of small basic training in any dogs!*****

• You're going to have to set your alarm clock again, for 3am. SORRY but think about how much trouble this is going to save you down the road! Try to get back to sleep as quick as you can, while getting Bingo to snooze too! It might be a good idea to put a chew stick (not those cheap twisted up things, but a sow ear or something that the pet will know belongs EXCLUSIVELY TO THEM. And TELL THEM that it belongs to them! JUST THEM. "This chewy is just for Bingo, and nobody else." and say it in a soothing tone, and make sure your alarm is set for 3am and get your dreary eyes some more rest!

TRY HARD, NOT TO SMASH YOUR ALARM CLOCK! :)

Yes I know this seems like a lot of work, but it's going to pay off, trust me! :) More importantly, trust your pet. The more they can trust you, the more they're willing to make their master happy!

That 3 am alarm has just gone off, and it's time to slip into those slippers etc. and take Bingo pup outside to that special spot! Begin telling your story, even if you talk about how sleepy you are, what a pain this is, say it in a VERY NICE TONE. Even if you're screaming "GO POTTY" in your head! :)

As soon as the job is done, pick that baby up and paise away! All the way back inside. Chances are, you've prevented the new pup from getting the chance to potty inside, so you're on your way, try to hold that patience and sleep deprivation under control!

If there are any accidents, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE, ACCIDENTS. Clean it up, and DON'T SCOLD BINGO!

He's only been on the planet a few months, these "humans" who keep talking to them, they need to understand, they are babies! They want to please you. So when this pup sees you clean it up, he'll know, that wasn't a time he got praised. Not scolded, but ... :::snivel::: not praised either! A simple, "we do this outside Bingo" in a nice tone, will suffice!

Keep on repeating this process until your dog starts to head for the door. Even before they learn to bark when you're not watching them to the door, they'll still go! Don't leave the poor baby to sit there and wait for you!

When your dog gets to the door by themselves!

• This is the time to start teaching them to bark or let you know they want out. Just look them in the eye and say something to them "Does Bingo want outside" and if Bingo makes one utter of a sound, pat his/her head and open that door!

Right then you're on the track of teaching your dog, baby steps to learning to go outside from the moment you bring your dog home, lessons that once learned, never have to be taught again!

Just remember, doggies have accidents, just like we spill milk by accident! They don't know better, and it's your job as it's owner to teach them! You're new puppy might not be able to wait for you by the time you get to them and might not go as smooth as mine did, but give them love and CREDIT where it's due. No puppy is due a scolding or hit. If you're ever going to hit your pet, then you just don't need to have an animal. They want nothing more in the world than to be your best friend and companion, and if you show them love, it's what you're going to get back!