Skahler writes to me:
Hi, I just downloaded the secrets book yesterday and am just about finished. We are having some issues with going in the house. I am home during the day with our 1 year old lab mix dog. We have only had her about a week and a half. I bought Poochie Bells and am trying to teach her to use those when she needs to go out. One problem is she rings the bells even if I know she doesn’t need to go out to go to the bathroom. I want to know if the bells are even a good idea, and how can we teach her to let us know when she needs to go out if we don’t use the bells? I take her out every time she rings the bells, which is becoming a pain. She peed on the carpet this morning and I am not sure when. I keep such a close eye on her I don’t know when she did it. My other question is how do I correct her for this, isn’t it too late since I am not sure when it happened, and how do I correct it?
Adam replies:
Hi, Skahler:
Take a look a my video, “HouseBreaking In A Hurry” (divided into five part)
http://access.dogproblems.com/members/Dog_Training_Videos_House_Training_In_A_Hurry.cfm
I’m going to copy and paste your post, and comment in-between:
SK: One problem is she rings the bells even if I know she doesn’t need to go out to go to the bathroom. I want to know if the bells are even a good idea, and how can we teach her to let us know when she needs to go out if we don’t use the bells?
>> Adam replies: I don’t think they’re a good idea. More hassle than it’s worth. She’s old enough to hold it, until you let her out. (At regular intervals). Also– as a general rule: If she gets super-animated and is ripping around the house, that’s probably a good indication she needs to go out, too. But normally, after a few days– if you put her on a set feeding and watering schedule (no free feeding!) you’ll have an idea as to about how frequently she needs to go outside. Once every four hours or so is typical. Many dogs can hold it, even longer.
I take her out every time she rings the bells, which is becoming a pain.
>>Adam replies: Agreed.
She peed on the carpet this morning and I am not sure when.
>>Adam replies: This is a handler error. You need to keep one eye on her LIKE A HAWK if she’s not in the crate or outside. Otherwise you’re being inconsistent.
I keep such a close eye on her I don’t know when she did it.
>> Adam replies: If you need to, keep her on a leash, and attach the leash to your belt, until you’re more confident about your ability to keep her from eliminating in the house, without getting a correction.
My other question is how do I correct her for this, isn’t it too late since I am not sure when it happened, and how do I correct it?
>> Adam replies: See above.
Does what I’ve written make the process easier to understand for you? If not, keep asking me questions until it’s crystal clear. For the dog, it’s a process of:
1. Getting her conditioned to eliminate outside, where she gets both relief, and praise for doing it in the right spot.
and
2. The contrast with #1 and getting a correction for doing it in the house.
(Plus the other elements I talk about in the video).
Keep me posted,
Adam.