Dog training advice

House Training: Why You Should Never Rub His Nose In It

House training works best with routine, supervision and calm positive reinforcement.

Punishing a puppy for toilet accidents does not teach them where to go. It can make them anxious, encourage them to hide accidents, and damage trust.

Good house training is built on routine, prevention and reward. Take your puppy out after sleeping, eating, drinking, playing and excitement. Praise and reward immediately when they toilet in the right place.

What to do after an accident

Clean the area thoroughly with an appropriate cleaner and adjust your routine. Accidents usually mean the puppy had too much freedom, was not supervised closely enough, or was not taken outside at the right time.

What to reward

Reward the behaviour you want: toileting outside, settling after going out, and calmly following the routine. Be patient, consistent and realistic for your puppy’s age.

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