I adopted an older dog that's not housebroken. How do I go about teaching this old dog a new trick?

Answer 1

First of all you need to keep the dog in the same room you're in while you're training so you can keep an eye on him. When he starts to act restless, like he's looking for somewhere to go, get him to follow you outside. You need to go out with him, tell him "go pee" (or whatever words you want to use) and give him lots and lots of praise the second he pees.

The idea is to praise for correct behaviour rather than giving him the opportunity to make a mistake and then scolding him. If he does have an accident, quietly clean it up. If you catch him in the act, tell him no firmly. A dog who's trained with positive reinforcement learns pretty quickly and the advantage to an adult dog is that they have bladder control which a young puppy doesn't have.

I adopted 3 racing greyhounds who didn't go through foster homes first and had to be house trained when I got them. They learned very quickly so you shouldn't have a problem.

Answer 2

Pretty much the same way you would a puppy, just remember, the dog does not know better. Use the traditional techniques, and it may help to keep him/her in a crate when you are away b/c a dog will generally not soil a spot they consider home/sleeping quarters. Other than that, just make sure you let the dog out as much as you can and praise it when you see it use the bathroom outside...and when you catch it making a mistake, tell them no/bad and get them outside quick. Good Luck

Answer 3

Crate training is the answer. We housetrain older dogs all the time in my rescue.
If you have another dog who is housebroken, then it's even easier. Your dog will help show the new one where to go.

Answer 4

Praise it when it goes outside. Make a big deal about it when it does something right. When it starts to go in the house, say "outside" and run the dog outside right away. Don't punish the dog when they do something wrong, just praise it and give it treats when it does something right and it will learn quickly.

Answer 5

buy a crate big enough for him to stand up and turn around in.
a dog won't pee/poop where he has to lay in it. let him out before
and after hes been in crate. take him out on a lesh right after hes
ate or drank water, to the same spot every time. be patient.
praise him when he goes outside and does potty. make sure your
older dog has plenty of toys and lots of exercise or he can become distructive, he needs something to do if hes left in a crate for a long period of time. please be patient, you don't know
an adopted dogs past history. make it fun and not stressful.

Answer 6

Take him out "often" and each time he does the right thing give him a treat. He'll soon learn. Punishment is not the answer. It will take patience and a watchful eye.

Answer 7

crate training is still the best method for any age dog.

Answer 8

give him a trick eberytime he goes the bathroom outside. if you see him doing it inside put him outside to finsh