Housetraining nuts & bolts

Second in a series

Teaching a dog “where to do its business”

Teaching Kiki the Chihuahua where you want her to go will be simple if you, her grand poohbah, shoulder your share of the repetitive training. I know you can do this because dogs, like us, are operant learners. That means what gets rewarded gets repeated. Any of us will go to a job where they treat us well and pay us what we want – on time.

Lay a canine-specific foundation for Kiki. Rather than reading her the riot act when she fails you can make sure mistakes never happen in the first place. While you’re catching your nighttime Z’s Kiki will snuggle in her own cozy little den. A dog crate, about 1.5 times her length, width, and height, will harken to a secure, natural hideaway. Use a sheet to cover the top, sides, rear, and doorway (to about 3” above the floor). No more sneaking off to do odd jobs around the house while you sleep.

Every morning, ASAP, you’ll happily lead your leashed pupster to the preferred dumping ground near the backyard fence. Stand quietly as she eliminates. You’ll be tempted to throw a party complete with hors d oeuvres but that would confuse toddler toilet training with a dog’s natural reward for marking the boundaries of her territory. Rather than food or praise, you’ll accompany Kiki on a hike, of any length, down the street. She’ll recognize your crafty canine leadership right away.

A reliable routine will be essential. Give the kid a bathroom break, complete with the earned reward of a brief stroll, first thing in the morning, following each meal and every 3-4 hours in between, until last call at bedtime. Is Kiki that thick headed? Ah, no. Her long-standing indoor habits will take time and patience to fall by the wayside while she learns what her leader really wants.

What’s to stop the little scamp from creeping away to tinkle on the rug when you’re working or engrossed in your afternoon soap operas? Keep her tethered to your belt by a 6-foot leash so she’s always nearby. Until her house-training skills are bullet-proof, she ain’t going anywhere without her patient and, yes, long-suffering leader. I know. Ain’t ain’t a word.

Next week: Is this guaranteed to work? Nope. We may need to dig deeper for the cause.

For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in Albuquerque. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.