How To House-train Your Dog

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(NAPSA)—If you're a pet parent to any of the country’s estimated 78 million dogs,here’s how to make house-training easier for both you and yourpet. 1. Take your dog to the “bathroom” every oneto three hours, as well as after he first wakes up in the morning orafter a nap, after each meal, after being left alone for a stretch of time, and before going to bed. 2. According to that schedule or when your dog’s behavior indicates he has to relieve himself, ask him if he has to go with a simple phrase, such as “Go potty?” This phrase should be unique to house-training to avoid confusion. 3. Take him on a leash outside and down the same path to your designated potty spot. 4. When youarrive, repeat the des- ignated phrase and stay in that specific area for at least 15 minutes. 5. Once your dog hasfinished,praise him or give him a treat right away. Giving your dog immediate positive reinforcement is mosteffective; waiting until you're back homecan be confusing. 6.If your dog hasn’t successfully done his business, bring him back to the house and keep an eye on him for 15 minutes. Ifhestarts to go, you will be right there to get him outside quickly. Otherwise, bring him outsideafter those 15 minutes. 7. Keep your dog on a consistent feeding schedule to make his elimination schedule morepredictable. 8. Supplement your training with dog pads. They are a great way to reinforce the specific areas that are designated for potty. Dog padsare also useful for those rainy days when your dog may not wantto go outside. Veterinarian’s Advice “Dont reprimand your dog when he has an accident,’ advises Georgette Wilson, Doctorof Veterinary Medicine. “This usually confuses him and slows the house-training process. Positive reinforcement is much more effective for successful housebreaking” Creatures of habit and instinctively clean, puppies and older dogs can be house-trained in a matter of weeks. The more consistent you are in following basic rules, the faster your dogwill learn the proper behavior. “Until training is completed?” Dr. Wilson says, “dog pads are a good idea. ‘They're also handy for dogs that have incontinence problemsdueto ageorillness, for small dogs that can't go out due to predators, for dogs stuck inside during bad weather, andfor use while traveling” A new kind of dog pad from Amer- ica’s No. 1 dog pad brand (IRI) features highly absorbent quilted pockets with unique printed-dot embossing that traps wetness in the center to prevent spreading and leaking; unlike dog pads with standard quilting, which causes wetness to spread. The innovative fea- ture means a smaller spot and less potential for leaks and tracking. Each of these Hartz? Home Protection™ Quilted Plus™ Dog Pads uses unique FlashDry’ Gel Technology that turns liquid into gel, and odor-neutralizing fragrance technology with a Clean Powderscent. Learn More For further facts andtips, visit www. quiltedplus.com.