Watch CBS News

Ask A Chicago Expert: Tips For House Training Your Dog

Got a pooch? Whether you have a puppy or have adopted an older dog, making sure your four-legged friend is house-trained is part of the responsibilities that come with being a dog parent. From designating a place for your pooch to do his business to rewarding good behavior, there's plenty for you and your dog to learn when it comes to housetraining. Two Chicago area-based experts provide some of their tips for effective ways to housetrain a dog.
Paws
(Photo Credit: Paws Chicago's Facebook)

Joan Harris
PAWS Chicago
1997 N. Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 935-7297
www.pawschicago.org

Harris is Director of Training and Canine Behavior at PAWS Chicago. She is also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Karen Pryor Academy Clicker Training Partner. As noted on the organization's Facebook page, PAWS Chicago is "Chicagoland's largest no kill humane organization." In 2014, a total of approximately 6,000 dogs and cats were adopted through the organization.

Rendy Schuchat, M.A.
Anything Is Pawzible
www.anythingispawzible.com

For Rendy Schuchat, helping dog owners housetrain their canine friends is all in a day's work. Schuchat is the Owner and Founder of Anything is Pawzible and has a master's degree in psychology. She is also a certified dog trainer. Anything is Pawzible has three training locations in Chicago; consult the company's website for contact information. The company offers classes for puppies, therapy dogs and behavioral work.

Don't Give Your Dog Too Much Freedom Right Away

It might be tempting to let your new puppy or dog roam inside your house soon after their arrival. However, Harris advises against giving dogs too much freedom upfront. "If you give the dog too much freedom too fast, they develop bad habits. When owners bring a dog into (their) home and give them free access, the dog finds new places to go to the bathroom," she said. "Until you know the dog's habits, you should keep them contained in a room for a certain period of time with baby gates and watch the dog's habits."

Be Aware Of New Behaviors

A housetrained dog having accidents in the house is new behavior that should not be taken lightly. "If it's a new behavior, I would consult my vet right away," Harris said. "A lot of dogs will have anxiety issues. Write down when it's happening. Is the dog having anxiety when you're not home? If it's happening right in front of you, then I would start with a call to the vet," she said.

Keep A Diary

When it comes to housetraining, Schuchat recommended using a paper log to keep track of a dog's potty time. "When does your dog tend to go? You'll see a pattern if you keep their schedules routine," Schuchat said. If an accident happens, she noted "It's likely you did something different, and you and your puppy were on a different schedule."

Related: Ask A Chicago Expert: Your Best Homemade Dog Treat Recipe

Know When To Bring In Reinforcements

How long does it take to housetrain a dog? Schuchat emphasized that all dogs are different. "Some puppies pick it up immediately," she noted, and added that dog owners should start seeing results in a few weeks of house training. However, you might need to consider bringing in an expert to help with housetraining. "If you've had your dog or puppy for over a month without progress, then something needs to change. Look at progress from week-to-week," Schuchat said, and also noted "You might have a day where the wheels come off."

Don't Punish Your Dog For An Accident

If you discover your dog has used your living room floor for quick potty break, then you should know the proper reaction. "Don't find the mess and shove their noses in it," Schuchat said. "That's our fault, and we should have caught them in the act of making the accident. That's my biggest thing. There's no physical punishment," she added. "Dogs live in the moment. They don't live 10 minutes from now or two weeks ago. There's no place for physical punishment." If you find an accident, Schuchat recommended cleaning up the mess with the proper cleaning solution, and then moving forward with training.

Harris emphasized the importance of not punishing a dog for having an accident as well. "Never put your dog's nose in the mess. If the dog has an accident, blame it on yourself. Never punish them. Interrupt them and catch them in the act. Clap your hands, and immediately take them out and have them finish where they should, and follow up with praise," she said. Harris also noted dog owners should consult a vet to ensure there aren't physical complications with the dog. "Punishment doesn't work. Dogs don't go to the bathroom out of spite and anger," she added.

Related: Best Family-Friendly Bike Trails In Chicago

Megan Horst-Hatch is a runner, reader, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She is also the president of Megan Writes, LLC. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.