Teaching your dog to defecate or urinate on command is actually hust a process of creating an association.
The command I use is, “Get Busy.” But you can use any word or phrase that you please.
You’re probably wondering why anyone would want to teach their dog an elimination command. And probably the best answer to this question is that it enables you to establish both a time and a place for your dog to eliminate.
For example, if you decide to go to bed early, and you don’t want your dog to be uncomfortable for the next 7 or 8 hours, you can very easily take him outside and tell him to “do it now,” because, “You won’t have a chance to do it later since I’m going to bed.”
Having an elimination command also allows you to tell your dog WHERE he should urinate or defecate. For example, if you’re taking your pup for a stoll and he indicates that he needs to eliminate… you don’t want him to merely stop and do his business in the middle of the sidewalk. What an elimination command allows you to do is to walk the dog over to some bushes, or behind a building and tell him, “Here! Here is where you can ‘get busy.’”
How to teach the “Get Busy” command
Just like with any other command, your goal is to associate the phrase, “Get busy,” with the action of either defecating or urinating.
Here’s what you need to do in 5 easy steps:
1.) Take note of the usual times your dog needs to defecate or urinate.
2.) Take him to the usual spot where he likes to eliminate and walk him back and forth, repeating the phrase, “Get busy, get busy, get busy.”
3.) When he begins to eliminate, continue saying, “Get busy.” After five or six different occasions, your command will start to link with the behavior.
4.) A half second after he finishes, praise him.
5.) Repeat this process every time your dog needs to eliminate, and you’ll soon find that he will begin to understand and at least make an attempt to evacuate the contents of his bladder on command.
That’s all for now, folks!
Adam
Dogproblems.com
Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider’s Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History.” Get a free copy of his report “Games To Play With Your Dog” when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: www.dogproblems.com
Beware Of The Impulse Buy
It is hard to resist the appeal of a puppy in a pet shop window, especially if it looks a little bit sad and wistful. These pups have already had a change of home and often a long journey from their original breeder. Even though they may appear well, they could be carrying infections which may cause problems later on after you’ve taken the puppy home. A reputable pet shop should have the pups vaccinated by a veterinary, who will provide a certificate of inoculation.
A Careful Choice
Whenever possible visit the home of the breeder, or the owner of the bitch. You will be able to ensure that your pup came from a clean and healthy home, and also see what the mother is like, and maybe the father too. When I’ve purchased a dog for myself, I’ve always been lucky enough to see both parents which is very re-assuring.
Beware Of Buying From A Newspaper Advertisement.
Be particularly careful about buying a pup through a newspaper advertisement, without seeing it first. As the old saying goes ‘buyer beware’ and this applies especially to all kinds of livestock. If your new dog is ill when it arrives, or quite unlike the promises of the advertisement, you may find it difficult to get any satisfaction. Even in the case of a money-back guarantee, it is very little compensation for the disappointment especially where there are children involved.
Buying From A Dogs Home.
You may decide to get a dog from a dogs home. You will have the satisfaction of feeling that you are saving a life and giving some unwanted pet a home. It is well to remember though that young dogs that have been straying for sometime may have become hard to manage. In the case of a bitch she may turn out to be in pup and you will find yourself saddled with rather more dogs than you can manage. Don’t just fall for the first dog that you see, talk to the officials at the home and try to find out the background of the dogs that you find the most appealing.
Choosing A Healthy Pup.
It is often difficult for a beginner to distinguish a healthy pup from a poor one - to them one attractive little bundle of fur looks very much like another - but really there is all the difference in the world. A healthy pup should be plump, but not have a swollen or blown-up stomach. Its skin should feel loose instead of seeming to stick to the bones. The coat should shine (unless its a wirehaired type) and of course be free from fleas or lice. The eyes should be bright and free from any sign of discharge. In addition it is wise to choose a pup which looks lively and readily comes to greet people. A timid pup may have a problem personality and be difficult to train. Finally, don’t be surprised if a reputable dog breeder wants to ask a lot of questions to find out if you are going to be a suitable person to own one of their pups.
Author - John Moore - Family man, and lover of all animals. Please use my link. http://www.pet-dog-cat.com
Do you know that in the United States pets outnumber people?
Recent statistics show that there are about 380 million pets opposed to 290 million people? 62 % of the households own a pet, and 46% of all households own more than one pet.
The most common pet in the USA is the cat (of which there are 78 million pet cats), next comes the dog (there are 65 million dogs), the third most popular pet is birds (18 million). The other top pets are small animals and fish, but there are a lot less of these than cats and dogs.
More and more people are buying pets because they realise the great advantages of having a pet, a pet is a great companion, a loyal friend and a part of the family. Since a pet has such an important role to play in your life it is important thinking hard to pick the right pet for you.
Careful research before allowing the new member in can save a lot of frustration later. If you and your pet are not compatible, your coexistence will not be peaceful and eventually you may have to expel the poor creature, because it is you, who made the wrong judgment.
If you are choosing a pet the real choice you are probably making is whether to get a dog or a cat, perhaps you are considering a pet that requires less effort such as a fish or bird also. If you decide to opt for a dog you must then choose what breed of dog toget, with over 150 breeds you are spoiled for choice!
Dogs are considered to be more of a companion or friend than a cat, however dogs require more care than cats. Cats are far more independent - they tend to spend a lot of time off by themselves, they also tend to form more of bond with the home where they live than with the people they live with.
It is very important to figure out how much space the pet needs and whether you can provide it. If you live in a small flat and there is not enough room, think about whether a dog will be happy in that confined space. Even a cat might feel imprisoned. Probably in this case the best selection is birds or fish, because they do not need much space.
If you are away from home often and live alone you have to think about who would mind a dog if you got one, dogs cannot be left alone at home without someone to check on them occassionally, to feed them and walk them. There might be a neighbour or pet hostel who would take care of your dog while your away, if not then maybe a dog isn’t a good option. Cats do not like being left alone either, despite their independence.
If you choose a dog you must remember they need to be walked once or twice a day and that they need space in which to live. This is particularly true of large breeds of dog such as St Bernards. Large dogs also eat a lot which must be factored into your costs.
A big dog can be useful, it can be trained to act as a gaurd dog for example and is a highly visible (and audible!) deterrent to potential burglars. Small dogs have unique advantages also - they take up less space, are usually very friendly and love playing, and they do not need long walks so are ideally suited for children and the elderly.
Whatever your final decision, the most important thing is to do your homework — research the facts and consider what will suit you best — because if it doesn’t suit you, your new pet will be unhappy also.
Alyssa Hallam is the webmaster of
AH Pet Her site has a comprehensive collection of information on all different kinds of pets, including a free newsletter, pet resources and articles. For great pet information, go to:
http://www.ahpet.com
About the Author
Alyssa Hallam is the webmaster of
AH Pet Her site has a comprehensive collection of information on all different kinds of pets, including a free newsletter, pet resources and articles. For great pet information, go to:
http://www.ahpet.com
