Housetraining Revisited

1554 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Mikey T, Mar 3, 2006

BassetsDad

Discussion Starter · Mar 2, 2006

Good evening all.

The challenge house-train continues with our 13 wk old Emma.

We are crate training, taking her out as soon as she gets out, the usual routine. We still have occassional accidents, but nothing like we were having prior to crate days.

We take her to the same spot to do her business, and reward her with a treat as soon as she does. Of course, she just associates that spot with "where I go to get a treat". Which brings me to my question:

The accepted practice is to NOT scold your basset for going in the house, because he/she cannot make the connection between eliminating on the carpet and the scolding.

If this holds true, then why do we reward them for eliminating outside? How do they make the connection?

In the old days, we just used a noise maker such as a rolled up newspaper and a quick swat to train the dog at the moment of elimination in the house, and then immediately took them outside. They make the connection real quick, and you have a house-trained dog in short order. What has changed?

Thanks.

Mark

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· #2 · Mar 2, 2006

Well, I haven't heard of this new training with not scolding for wetting inside. I have always trained my dogs by taking them back to the very spot they did an accident. Told them bad dog and let them out.

But with that said, if your puppy is only 13 weeks, you've got a long way to go. I don't know what it is with Bassets but both mine have taken 8-9 months to get the house training part. Just be very patient and one day it will click with her. My theory is(coming from a SAHM of 2) is if I can house train a basset I can poddy train my kids. Down to 1 two legged and then I'm DONE with training!

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Betsy Iole

· #3 · Mar 2, 2006

In the old days, we just used a noise maker such as a rolled up newspaper and a quick swat to train the dog at the moment of elimination in the house, and then immediately took them outside. They make the connection real quick, and you have a house-trained dog in short order.

The only part I would omit is swatting the dog. Other than that, swatting your hand or leg to make a loud noise to interrupt the dog, verbally indicating displeasure and taking the puppy immediately outside all sounds good to me.

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· #4 · Mar 2, 2006

I've also heard of using an empty soda can with coins, or buttons, or whaterver inside. The noise it makes is the deterent. And u can use it for any unwanted behavior, but it must be used while she's caught IN THE ACT. Just one stiff shake of the can will definately get her attention. And the best part is, that you can keep cans like this all over the house so you'll always have one at hand.

Good luck

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Milly and Lily

· #5 · Mar 2, 2006

It took Lily a year to get housetrained. Good luck.

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· #6 · Mar 2, 2006

I think part of the problem is that they have such a terrific sense of smell that once they have gone in the house, a little of the odor remains no matter what you use or how good you try to clean. So when they go near that spot again they get a whiff and want to potty there again. Bogie, ten months old, has done great with "ringing the bells" to go out in the six weeks we have had him. Only two mistakes both in the same spot on the dining room carpet. I did the vinegar plus special carpet cleaner from the carpet store after the first time, and two days later Bogie peed on the same spot. Recleaned and he dined on that spot for a couple of weeks. So far so good, but we really watch him. He's crated when we leave the house, or confined to the kitchen if we are busy and can't keep an eye on him.
Emma is still very young, just watch her carefully, and be patient. One day it will click.

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Mikey T

· #7 · Mar 3, 2006

"The accepted practice is to NOT scold your basset for going in the house, because he/she cannot make the connection between eliminating on the carpet and the scolding.

If this holds true, then why do we reward them for eliminating outside? How do they make the connection?

In the old days, we just used a noise maker such as a rolled up newspaper and a quick swat to train the dog at the moment of elimination in the house, and then immediately took them outside. They make the connection real quick, and you have a house-trained dog in short order. What has changed?"

Nothing has changed except maybe terminology, The noise maker is not a punisher but a distraction to stop the unwanted behavior. During that time you can take the dog out and reward it for going in the right spot.

When people say " NOT scold your basset for going in the house," it is for occurance after the fact. you find a pee spot on the rug. It does no good to scold the dog, rub his nose in and such. In order to be effective either punishment or a reward it must be closely associated with the behavior. Idealy the reward or punishment is given during the behavior not after.

See Timing Your Click Correctly

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