Creature feature

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/DUSTY HIGGINS
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/DUSTY HIGGINS

We have spent a lot of time and money landscaping our yard. We recently “adopted” our daughter’s dog when she moved for a new job and couldn’t take him with her. Our concern is that we want Obo to use one spot in the yard (it’s fenced) for his bathroom instead of messing up the whole yard. He’s 2 years old and was living in an apartment with our daughter. How do we get him to go to the same place every time he goes out to potty? Right now we’re putting him on his leash and taking him out.

The principles for training a dog to go to a specific spot in the yard to potty are basically the same as teaching him that the bathroom is outside: Consistency, vigilance and rewards.

The first step, however, is clearly defining Obo’s potty area. He’ll learn more easily if he has visual clues to guide him. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (aspca.org)suggests outlining the area with 2-foot-tall garden fencing or decorative stones. You could choose something that works with your landscaping plan. (When my dog was a puppy, I used short fencing to mark off her potty space,then removed it after she was trained.) Whatever you use, simply make sure that you don’t make it difficult for your dog to move in and out of the area.

You’re already following the second step, which is accompanying your dog when he goes outside. Keeping him on a short leash (4 or 6 feet long) at first is helpful because it ensures that you’re close enough to give him a treat the second he finishes doing his business. Timing is everything. To understand why he’s getting a reward, he has to receive it immediately.

The reward is critical, but it doesn’t have to be food. If your dog prefers to play, you can release him from the leash after he has done his bit and give him a little playtime. Take a ball with you and play fetch with him if he enjoys that. But keep in mind that if he doesn’t go to the bathroom, you can’t let him off the leash. Take him back inside and try again later. You have to reserve rewards for when he has done what’s expected or he’ll be confused about your expectations.

After a couple of weeks of training on the short leash, take Obo out on a longer lead, such as a 15- to 30-foot training lead. When you go outside, let him move ahead of you and drag the line behind him. If he goes to his designated area, be ready to reward him. If he heads to another part of the yard, clap your hands and quickly pickup the line and lead him to the appropriate spot.

The next step is to supervise him without a lead. Again, if he runs to the right place, reward him. If he doesn’t, clip on the leash and take him there. After he’s consistently going to the correct area with supervision, you can try letting him go outside on his own while you watch from the doorway or a window. Be prepared to meet him outside when he has done his business so you can reward him.

When training your dog to potty outside, whether anywhere or in one spot, it’s important to avoid confusing him. Be consistent and ready to reward him immediately. Defining his purpose for going outside is as important as defining his area, so make sure when you take him out to the yard during the training process, you’re not going for any other reason.

Once Obo has formed the habit of consistently using his spot, you’ll be able to let him outside to simply play or keep you company while you work in the yard. Continue to reward him occasionally when he uses his bathroom spot to reinforce his training. Also, be sure to keep the waste picked up so Obo will be willing to continue to do his business there.

Do you have a question about pets? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Rhonda Owen, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or e-mail [email protected]

Family, Pages 34 on 03/05/2014

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