Make it easier for your pooch to go outside in bad weather
This is just about the time of year when little dogs (and sometimes big dogs as well) decide that it is just too inconvenient to go outside to go to the bathroom.
Cold weather, freezing wind chill and deep snow make it rough on the little ones. In December, I've come to expect several phone calls from individuals who state that their dogs have been using the house as a toilet for several weeks and the owners want to know what to do about it. I've decided to be proactive this year and address the problem before those phone calls start coming in.
So, how do you get Little Bit and Tiny Tim to go outside when the snow is deeper than they are tall? Well, it takes a little work. But it can be done.
First of all, it's best to realize that the longer the unclean behaviors are allowed to go on, the harder it is to change them.
We raise several poodle puppies a year and we've found that the following exercises really help in getting dogs to consistently go outside in bad weather.
1. Go outside with your dogs as often as possible and praise them when they eliminate outside. Let them back inside the house when they are finished. Not going outside with the dogs inhibits the owner's ability to praise desired behaviors (going to the bathroom outside) and creates an imbalance between punishment and praise.
2. Dig a trench in the snow in order to give the little ones a safe and easily accessible place to go without having to bushwhack a trail to get there. A few minutes with a snow shovel will be greatly appreciated and may mean the difference between a housebroken dog and one that uses the house as a big toilet.
3. If you let your dogs out to go to the bathroom and the weather is cold, windy and unpleasant, stand by the door and wait to see if the dog comes right back and wants in. A late doorman not on the ball and failing to open the door when the dog is finished may result in the dog firing the doorman of his duties and using the back bedroom instead. Be observant, consistent and conscientious and there will be no reason to fire the doorman.
Being available to praise wanted behaviors and proactive in creating an easily accessible route to the desired locations with your dogs will them little reason to misbehave and a whole lot of good reasons to eliminate outside as they should.
Terry Jester is a nationally recognized companion animal behaviorist. To learn more about companion animal training, visit www.rockymountainrawhide.com. For questions about your own pet, call Jester at (970) 568-7585 or send e-mail to arriniranch@aol.com.
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