Using Praise For Puppy Training and Housebreaking.

Praise is among the most important elements of potty training a dog, and yet it is also one of the steps that is most commonly overlooked by dog owners trying to housebreak their pets. The reason that praise is so important is that it is the primary technique you have in order to show your dog that you are happy with his or her behavior. This is how you tell your dog that he or she has done the right thing and that you will be happy if it is repeated.

This technique is a positive form of training that is humane and pleasant for the dog and is generally referred to as "reward training". Reward training is very easy to use and is increasing in popularity among veterinarians, animal behaviorists, and pet owners alike. Its foundation is simply to reward -- through praise or treats -- good behaviors while taking preventative action against undesirable behaviors and giving no acknowledgment whatsoever if they do actually occur. This is often a pleasant way to train because it steers away from having to punish the dog for bad behavior -- which is often simply confusing or ineffective anyway. Reward training has been found to be highly successful for potty training and keeps stress levels on both you and your dog at a minimum.

In order to properly praise your dog in the housebreaking process, you can use the following steps:

- Using a set feeding, activity, sleeping, and elimination schedule, take your dog out often (especially at times when he or she is most likely to need to go) to prevent accidents in the house. Even within a fenced in yard, keep your dog on a leash in order to maximize the control you have over him or her. This is important because it will show your dog that going outside to eliminate is different from heading out to play games. It also means that you will remain close to your dog so that you will be there in time to effectively reward him or her for eliminating in the right place.

- Have a specific spot in the yard that is designated for eliminating. Whenever you take your dog outside, go directly to that spot first. This will help your dog to learn that this is the right location for elimination and will prevent your dog from eliminating elsewhere first, which would make it harder for you to designate the specific place.

- Use a specific command to tell the dog that it is time to eliminate. Use this word as a suggestion as you approach the designated elimination location, and then repeat the word as your dog is actually eliminating. Do not say the word over and over again as you wait for the dog to go as this will only confuse your dog as to the meaning of the word and what is actually expected of him or her.

Once your dog is finished eliminating, praise him or her immediately, before he or she has the chance to be distracted by something else and will not be able to associate your praise with eliminating in the spot. Though the reward training technique does allow for both treats and praise, in this case, only your kind words and a nice patting will be required. The main goal is to make sure that your puppy knows that you are happy that he or she has gone in the right place.

Pamella Neely writes about crate training puppies and puppy training housebreaking.

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