Unfortunately, your first attempts at housebreaking your dog hasn’t turned out how you hoped.  There could be all sorts of reasons, and no one, dog or human, is really at fault. Where do you go from here?

Reconsidering Expectations

Starting young is always a good idea when it comes to training your pup. “Too young” is not necessarily an issue, but at the same time, you might have to rearrange your expectations. A young dog is not mature, not especially graceful, and prone to mistakes.

In other words, your puppy is a child and, like a human child, requires supervision. Until that dog matures, you absolutely cannot let her out of your sight. Keep her on a leash, or make sure she is always within your immediate vision. If you cannot keep a constant vigilant eye on her, consider crate training.

The reason to start training young is to keep your dog from picking up any bad habits, which can be hard to break given older age. A young puppy still needs your supervision and support. The most common problem with housetraining is owners expecting too much from their pups.

Working Out a Schedule

When you first have your puppy, it is a good idea to work out a schedule for when to take her out to relieve herself.

·         Remember that at such a young age, puppies will need to go to the bathroom almost immediately after waking up in the morning and after naps. Make sure to take her out almost as soon as you wake up.

·         The schedule should also include feeding times. Twenty minutes to a half hour after she has finished eating, take her out on a leash or take her to her designated bathroom area.

·         Your dog will also need to be taken out at least every three hours.

·         You should also take her out during/after playtime.

·         Exercise some common sense: if your dog is sniffing and pacing, she probably needs to relieve herself, regardless of the schedule.

In the end, it seems like you are taking her out constantly, which is sort of true. Your pup needs to learn to get used to relieving herself in her designated area. While it may seem unusually frequent or repetitive, that’s what is going to make the process successful.

Plenty of Rewards

Many things in life are based around a sense of reward. The pay raise, a free sundae, and a sense of well-being are just a few of the carrots dangled in front of us throughout our lives. Dogs aren’t much different.

First, there is praise. Praise, praise, praise. Even for the smallest successes, praise your puppy. When she properly relieves herself outside, you should do everything short of throwing her a huge party. Use a bright, positive voice, pet her, and tell her she’s the best dog either side of the Mississippi.

Then, of course, there are the treats. Try not to give her anything too big or too rich. Considering how often she’ll be relieving herself during her training, your dog will probably consume a lot of treats. You don’t want her to put on a lot of weight in the process. You can break down large treats into smaller pieces or give her small chunks of cooked chicken.

Treats and praise should be dispensed immediately after your dog goes potty. This helps her know what she’s actually getting rewarded for.

What About Punishments?

For humans, punishments set the boundaries, but it’s not necessarily the same with dogs. Your puppy has a pretty simple mind. She can very easily misinterpret your punishments, which makes things confusing for her and difficult for the both of you. Never rub your dog’s nose in its own mess as it is inhumane and can make your dog sick.

Many trainers and dog owners swear by punishments, but positive reinforcement is how your dog really thrives. Your dog is liable to make mistakes though. If you find your dog relieving herself where she shouldn’t, do not yell at her. Immediately pick her up and move her to her designated potty area.

As it turns out, your potty training failure wasn’t a failure at all. It’s vital that you understand this is a process, and is not something that can happen overnight or even within a week or month. Be patient with your pup and dedicate yourself to her potty training. You’ll create not only a well-trained dog, but a loving relationship—and that’s priceless.

“Portrait of a Puppy” Photo Credit: Tambako The Jaguar

“favorite toy” Photo Credit: purplebutrfly 

1.     Shampoo the Upholstery and Carpet: This is a good addition to anyone’s spring cleaning list, but it is a must for a dog owner’s—especially if you have an indoor/outdoor dog. Upholstery and carpet slowly collect dirt and grime buildup, not only making fabric colors dull and dingy, but also creating odor. Cleaning the carpet and upholstery is as simple as purchasing a cleaner like Bissell Upholstery Shampoo and renting out a carpet shampooer from your grocery store. When everything has been shampooed, take your pooch out for a day of fun so that everything can dry out.

2.    Prevent Mud Tracks: One of the best dog tricks in the book will help you keep the mud outside this spring. Dogs wear their shoes all the time, and they can’t take them off to come inside. Nor do they understand how to wipe their paws. In order to stop the mud tracks before they start, train your dog to stop and wait for you at the front door where you can wipe off their feet and fur before they are allowed in. Start training them now so when the mud does start piling up your dog is already a professional.

3.    Clean the Water and Food Bowls: When was the last time you thoroughly cleaned your dog’s water and food bowl? Many people simply overlook cleaning the bowls because they figure dogs can handle it. In reality, dog bowls gather tons of bacteria and dirt that you wouldn’t want your dog ingesting. Throw both bowls in the dishwasher to ensure a deep cleaning and give your dog a fresh bowl to eat from.

4.   Wash Blankets and Pillows: Your dog probably spent most of the winter bundled up in their blankets and pillows which have just been gathering dirt, hair, and bacteria. If the pillows have removable covers, take them off and throw them in the washer with any blankets the pet uses to get a fresh start this spring. Skip the dryer sheets and scented detergents, though—they could irritate your pet and deter them from snuggling up in their trusty blanket again.

5.    Non-toxic House Cleaners: A lot of people forget that pets can be sensitive to toxic cleaning agents, just like humans. Pets don’t have the rationality to not lick surfaces that have been coated with chemicals, however. If you have a puppy running around the house, make sure all of your cleaning supplies are non-toxic to both humans and pets. It is always better to be safe than sorry in this situation. Even the safe cleaners should still be kept out of reach from your dog; anything but healthy dog food will likely cause vomiting and diarrhea.

6.    Brush Consistently: This spring cleaning tip takes place right on your pet. When a dog begins to shed their winter coat, homeowners will find little dust bunnies and hair in every nook and cranny. Months later, you’re still finding hair in random places, not to mention the hair that always seems to find its way to your clothes. Take the time to brush your dog more often and on a regular basis outside where you can safely collect the mounds of hair before they are spread all over the house. Regular brushing helps to decrease your pooch’s tendency toward shedding, and it’s up to you to help. After all, Fido can’t help it!

Extra dog owner’s tip for spring:

Physical Fitness: Sure, this doesn’t fall in to the spring cleaning category, but consider giving your pup a tune-up this spring as well. Depending on the age and breed of your dog they might be a little stiff after the long inactive winter. It couldn’t hurt to take your dog to the vet and have them do a physical examination to determine if your pet is ready to run around top-speed without any aches or pains. If it has been a while since your dog has chased other pets around dog parks or the beach, limit their exercise the first couple times so they don’t overwork themselves.

“The Dogs - actually in the same picture!” Photo Credit: kansas_city_royalty

“Hans” Photo Credit: Aaron Jacobs

Respect the Commitment

Initially this may not seem to have much to do with going green. But a large part of being a conscientious pet owner is respecting the commitment you are making to your pet. For most people a pet quickly becomes a part of the family, which lasts for the lifetime of the pet. But unfortunately, pets are often bought by breeders and then given up when the responsibility becomes too much.

The health and wellness of every animal is in the hands of its owner, and being a pet owner is a serious responsibility. Going green means assessing your ability to care for your pet, and also choosing to adopt a pet instead of buying that expensive purebred puppy. Animal rescues and shelters are full of pets that have nowhere to go home to. Start your pet ownership off green by adopting your pet and keeping the needs of shelters sustainable.

This also goes for spaying and neutering your dog or cat. Although kittens and puppies are the most adorable of creatures, unless you can afford to keep them all, you risk bringing additional animals into an already overcrowded domestic pet population. Make your own concerted effort to control the pet population by spaying or neutering your pet. Shelters are forced to make tough and saddening decisions when their spaces become too full.

Contain Your Creatures

Keeping your pets fenced or indoors is another important part of being a green pet owner.  Loose dogs and cats can decimate local wildlife such as birds and squirrels that are an important part of the local ecosystem. This also helps control domestic diseases and keeps your pets healthy, happy, and out of harm’s way. Remember, dogs don’t learn to stop, look, and listen before crossing the street.

Pick up After Your Pet

There are many ways to go green when it comes to your pet’s waste. Buy biodegradable doggie bags and use alternative cat litters to keep down the amount of trash your pets create.

Composting pet waste is also another option for owners. Instead of throwing waste in the trash just to have it end up in a landfill, if you have the room to tackle it, you can compost your pet’s waste in the back yard and cut down on your carbon footprint.  Following are step-by-step instructions recommended by City Farmer.org:

1. Take and old garbage can and drill a dozen or so holes in the side.
2. Cut out the bottom (A keyhole saw works great for this.)
3. Dig a hole in the ground, deep enough for the garbage can.
4. Toss some rocks or gravel in the hole for drainage and position the garbage can so it’s a little higher than the soil level.
5. Place the lid on top (you might want to paint it with something like Dog Waste Composter.)
6. When you scoop some poop, put it in the hole and sprinkle in some septic starter (available at hardware stores) and add some water.

Buy Organic and Eco-Friendly Products

Natural pet food companies can now be found in just about every pet store. Instead of buying cheap food products that are unfit for human consumption, look for foods that come from naturally-grown plants and animals. Quality foods do not contain large amounts of fillers or animal by-products. Buy a quality natural product and you’ll be doing the environment and your pet a favor. 

Eco-friendly pet products are another great way to enrich the lives of your pets and also aid the environment. Buy toys made with sustainable products such as hemp and organic fibers that require less processing to make we recommend products from http://www.purrfectplay.com/. Make sure to choose cleaners that don’t use harsh, unnatural chemicals. Plant-based shampoos and sprays are safer for both your pet and the environment. Recycling pet products is another great way to add some eco-friendliness to Fido’s collection. Offer gently-used pet products to shelters or hand them off to needy pet owners. Many local establishments will take litter boxes, toys, and bedding that can be used for less fortunate pets.

Going green for your pets is as easy as reading labels, keeping your pets contained, or choosing to adopt a needy animal. Pet ownership is a serious responsibility that requires a commitment to yourself, your pet, and the environment. Going green begins with this commitment, and also incorporates a commitment to do what you can each day to care for your pet in an eco-friendly way.

“Dog Fence” Photo Credit: Ben Christenson

“I’m Not Eating Anything I Promise” Photo Credit: PWC_GSD

Artificial and real grass dog potties are solutions to the need for a doggie litter box, but there are a number of problems with grass dog potties. First, they are very difficult to clean, permanently trap bacteria, and start to smell over time. They are not as cost effective of a solution because the grass must be replaced periodically. Even worse, they don’t dry out very easily, therefore, the dog’s paws get wet using the potty causing him to track urine and bacteria all over the house. The grass solutions are only recommended for use on a porch, which limits the number of situations in which they can be used.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the problems with grass dog potties:

Dirty and Hard to Clean: Grass dog potties have a tray underneath the grass that catches urine, but poop rests on top just like outdoor grass. If the dog goes number two while you’re away from the house, you come home to a stinky mess. Urine gets trapped in the grass every time the dog pees, so it needs daily cleaning to stay sanitary. The problem is you need to clean the grass outdoors with a hose to be able to get it clean, which isn’t always an option when you live in an apartment building or a cold winter climate. And the urine tray requires daily cleaning too, although this can be done indoors. Even with daily cleaning synthetic grass fibers still can absorb and trap bacteria that is easily missed or disguised and eventually becomes soiled over time.

Very Expensive: Because artificial grass dog potties are marketed to people who live in apartment buildings, the most viable option for keeping the grass clean and sanitary is to periodically replace it. The synthetic grass inserts run from about $50 to $75 dollars, while the initial investment for the grass dog potty system costs anywhere from $150 to $200. The system is really only cost effective for potty training and other temporary situations, because replacing the grass for the life of the dog—recommended anywhere from every one to six months depending on the amount of use—can really add up over time.

A Breeding Ground for Bacteria: Not all of the urine reaches the holding tray underneath. Some of it gets caught in the grass and eventually dries—if you’re lucky. The grass often stays wet, depending on how often it’s used, the number of dogs using it, and the size of the dogs. Not only does the grass become stinky and full of bacteria, but also your dog will track their wet paws around your living space if it’s used indoors. Most dogs won’t step in their own poop, but it still exponentially increases the amount of bacteria your dog is spreading around the home.

Best Used on a Porch, Balcony, Deck, or Patio: Grass dog potties can be great for dog training as a temporary solution while your puppy or newly adopted dog is still learning. They help dogs understand that the grass is the right place to go the bathroom, and when placed outdoors, they learn that outside is where the potty is. But because they are so unsanitary, hard to clean, and expensive to maintain, they do not make a viable option for people living in apartment buildings who need a place for their dogs to go when they’re not home or when using the bathroom outdoors means a long walk and/or an elevator ride in the middle of the night.

Not Like a Litter Box: While grass dog potties are sometimes marketed like a doggie litter box, they are very different from cat litter boxes, which are much easier to clean daily and more sanitary because cats instinctively cover their urine and feces with the litter. Grated dog potty systems like the UgoDog indoor dog potty are more like litter boxes because they are made for use indoors, don’t stay wet or trap bacteria, and are easy to clean on a daily basis.

 1. Spend more time with your dog: The most common resolution for a dog owner to make is simply to give their best friend more time and attention, especially in families with children that often trump time spent with pets. Luckily, dog owners can fulfill a number of their other doggie-related resolutions by spending more time with Fido.

More time doesn’t always have to mean more play time. You can spend extra time with your dog with more grooming, training, or cuddling, in addition to exercise. And families can spend more time with their dogs by including them in family outings and planning more family outings in the great outdoors.

 2. More exercise: This is the number one human resolution made each year, and it’s often easier for people to stick to this goal when there’s a dog involved. While you won’t be able to bring your dog to the gym or walk him on a home treadmill, you and your dog will both really benefit from daily walks or jogs around the neighborhood and a weekend hike in the woods, giving you both the advantage of fresh air from exercise outdoors. You can also resolve to give your dog a greater variety of exercise and socialization with other dogs by including play time and trips to the dog park.

       3. Get your dog spayed or neutered: This is a task that’s easily put off by dog owners with limited time and/or money. But you can really help limit the number of homeless pets by spaying and neutering your own. Spaying and neutering also helps pets calm down and makes them easier to train, so it may help you with your other dog-related resolutions. There are a number of state-funded programs around the country that give financial assistance to low-income pet owners to help with spaying and neutering expenses. You can check online or with your vet to learn about programs in your area.

4. Get doggie identification: Whether it’s a microchip or an old-fashioned ID tag on the collar, you’ll greatly improve your chances of reconnecting with a lost or stolen pet by giving them an ID. Microchips are fairly inexpensive theses days and can be instantly scanned by vets around the country to identify you as your dog’s owner, as long as you keep your contact info current in the database.

5. Take your dog to the vet for regular checkups: Many pet owners only visit the vet when there’s something wrong, but just like humans, dogs need well checkups too. Dogs need to see the vet for maintenance such as shots and teeth cleanings, and regular visits to the vet can include blood work and a professional opinion about your dog’s health that can prevent or deter more serious problems and illnesses.

       6. More or regular grooming: Dogs and their owners are both happier when they’re clean. Regularly grooming or brushing your dog can curb shedding by up to 95%, depending on your dog’s breed. While regular grooming can become costly, you can do most or all or the work on your own at home. Even including just five minutes of brushing a day in your dog’s routine can significantly limit shedding and a smelly coat. You can bath your dog outdoors in the warmer months and splurge on some professional grooming when it’s cold outside, in addition to taking advantage of a number of DIY dog-washing stations that are popping up around the country

7. Better training: Even good dogs can usually become better trained, while working with a poorly behaved dog can significantly increase your happiness together and decrease the chances that you’ll put your dog up for adoption because he refuses to listen. There are a number of options for dog training, depending on your dog and his behavior, including books, videos, classes, and professional training camps. And don’t forget that getting your dog a sufficient amount of exercise can curb a lot of his bad behavior by giving him a proper time and place to release his energy.

8. Better potty training: When older dogs continue to go to the bathroom in the house, it can indicate a greater problem such as incontinence. If your younger dog refuses to potty train completely, it may be because he doesn’t have enough opportunities to go to the bathroom in an appropriate place. If your dog is alone for long hours at a time, you may consider asking a neighbor to let him outside, hiring a dog walker, or purchasing an indoor dog potty.

9. Adopt a homeless pet: Pet owners are healthier, happier people because pets improve quality of life in a number of ways when they’re properly cared for. Single people, people who live alone, and childless couples can really benefit from the company of an animal. Pets are also wonderful for families with children when they include the pets in their daily lives as part of the family.

10. Don’t forget the kitty: While cats generally require a lot less time and energy then dogs, they need love, attention, and exercise too. There are a number of ways that you can apply the above resolutions to your cats to help improve their lives and yours. 

“Cuddle Monster” Photo Credit: ramsey everydaypants

“Jeanne’s Dog Grooming” Photo Credit: windygig

In many cases, dogs are used as service animals. Originally, some of the larger dogs were specifically bred and trained as pack animals. Dogs have been used for centuries to track animals and hunt game. These days, just about everyone is familiar with seeing-eye dogs.

Dogs have also taken part in the effort to solve crime and ensure safety for citizens. Law enforcement officers are lucky to have these dogs.

Police Canine Breeds

Such a tough, dangerous job takes a certain breed of animal. While most dogs have the instincts to hunt and track, only a handful of dogs are well-suited to help law enforcement officers. A few of the most common are German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, and bloodhounds.

The main attributes that a police dog requires are aggression, intelligence, physical strength, and sense of smell. Most importantly, these dogs must be easy to train, whether it’s housebreaking with a UgoDog indoor dog potty or training to track specific scents. German shepherds feature all of these attributes, making them a well-rounded dog for all K-9 duties.

Labradors are also incredibly intelligent, strong, and active. However, Labs are mainly trained to sniff out drugs and other illicit substances.

Bloodhounds are highly intelligent and were originally used to track and hunt game. Known to have amazing noses, bloodhounds are probably the best trackers in the canine world. This reliable breed is commonly used to track missing persons or objects.

Police Dog Training

As with regular canine training, training to become a police dog occurs at a very young age. By the time a dog is ready for police K-9 training, it has received proper house training with the UgoDog indoor dog potty.

·   First, all police dogs must go through basic obedience training. They have to obey their handler’s instructions immediately and without hesitation. This helps keep the dog’s aggression in check and allows the officer to control the amount of force the dog uses

    Dogs trained in Europe are only given commands in their “native language.” Although many would assume this is a means of deceiving suspects, it’s actually just how the dogs are trained. A police dog trained with Dutch or German instructions will only understand Dutch or German commands.

·         Police dogs also have to pass basic endurance and agility training. Climbing stairs, jumping over walls—a police dog should be able to do it all. K-9 dogs also have to acclimate to city life. After all, they should be comfortable around people.

·         Once the dog has received basic training, he will proceed to specialty training, which is where they learn to sniff out drugs or weapons, track missing persons, enforce public order, or perform other K-9 duties.

Police Dogs: Drug Training

It’s often assumed that drug sniffing dogs seek out drugs as food or are themselves addicted to that drug. In actuality, drug sniffing dogs are wholly uninterested in drugs, as food or otherwise. When looking for drugs, these dogs are actually seeking their favorite toy. During training, the dog learns to associate the toy with the smell of drugs.

To begin the training, the handler essentially just plays with the dog and its favorite toy—which is usually nothing more than a white towel. A towel is just the easiest to use for this specific training; besides, dogs seem to love playing tug-of-war with a towel.

During training, the towel itself has been washed to remove any possible scent. Soon, the handler rolls up a bag of marijuana into the towel. After some time, the dog starts to recognize the smell of marijuana as the smell of his toy.

Once the dog has made this association, the handler hides the towel with the drugs in various locations. When the dog catches a whiff of the drugs, he will proceed to dig and scratch in order to get to his toy. He soon learns that sniffing out the drugs leads to a reward of playtime and tug-of-war.

As training progresses, different drugs are placed inside the towel until the police dog can successfully recognize the scents of numerous drugs.

Police dogs might have to go through more rigorous training than your average pup, but for them, it’s all in a day’s work. And don’t worry—they get plenty of love along the way.

Commitment                                                                                                                                                                                    

·      Watch Constantly: When you have just gotten a puppy you’ll want a indoor dog potty otherwise they will wander and potty all over the place. You have to constantly keep a close eye on them to make sure you can properly train them to go potty outside or wherever you designate the appropriate location. Keeping an eye on them is harder than it sounds, but it will help the training process move along quicker.

·        Take them Outside: Every single time the puppy is sniffing around to go potty or immediately after they eat you must take them outside to the designated potty location. This may seem hard at first because the puppy needs to go outside often but as you train them and they get older it will become much easier.

·   Cleaning Up: The puppy will make a mess both inside and outside the house and you have to be committed to immediately cleaning it up. If you don’t clean it up right away, the puppy will likely make a mess there again in the future because they like to return to the same location.

·       Tools for the Job: If you plan on having a puppy, you have to go get all the necessary supplies. You will need to buy a collar with tags, a leash and maybe a harness, food and water bowls, dog crate, toys, and a dog bed. Potty training pads or dog potties like UGODOG are helpful during the potty training process, and can be a great permanent solution for apartment dwellers. The biggest expense will soon become the constant purchasing of dog food, but that comes with the job.

     Patience

·       Expectations: A puppy is bound to make many mistakes, especially when it comes to going potty in the right location and at the right time. You have to go into puppy ownership with the right set of expectations. Remember that your new puppy’s habits are a blank canvas, and it’s up to you to transform them.

·       Praise: Always praise your dog when they do something right. Immediate praise will help them to learn through repetition what they are doing right.

·       No Yelling: Despite popular belief that punishing a dog will help them to learn, it’s positive reinforcement that really does the trick. Don’t scold or yell at your dog, it will only confuse them. Also, don’t rub your dog’s nose in its mess—it’s inhumane and can make him sick. (You’d never do that to a child, right?) Instead, when you see your dog going potty in the wrong area, or preparing to, pick him up immediately and move him to the appropriate place. When he gets it right on his own, give lots of praise and a treat.

      Consistency

·     Feeding: You have to have a consistent feeding schedule in order to create a consistent potty time schedule. Every time they eat or after drinking lots of water they should be taken outside to go potty. If you plan the meals at the same time every day, it will become a habit for them to go potty right afterwards.

·        Message: Your verbal message should always remain consistent. You can say whatever phrase you like to make them go potty, but make sure to use that exact phrase every single time. It is important to consider the tone you use when saying the phrase because dogs understand tones more than they actually understand words. Dogs pick up on human’s moods, so your message will be more effective if you deliver it with a loving tone.

·        Location: Before you bring your puppy home, pick out one spot that you are okay with for a puppy potty area. Then once you have the puppy, take them to that same location every single time. They will soon realize this is where they are allowed to go potty and once completely trained they will always go back to the same location, making cleanup easier and decreasing the chances of a mess all over your yard.

·   Reward: An often overlooked tool when potty training is the act of offering the puppy a reward immediately after they go potty. It needs to be right after so they know what they are receiving it for, but it will make them want to go out to go potty in the right location and promptly every single time you want them to if they know there is a treat in store for them.

From cute and cuddly to large and rambunctious and everything in between, dogs come in all shapes and sizes, giving us humans the opportunity to pick and choose based on our own criteria. There are hundreds of breeds that exist in the world, and that’s not even taking into consideration the mixed breeds.

Of course, the main thing that many people worry about is training; specifically, house training. As much as you love a dog, you don’t want it piddling around the house. It’s important and necessary to set boundaries, and make use of modern housebreaking tools such as UGODOG. While every dog can be house trained, some breeds tend to be more stubborn than others. These stubborn breeds might take a little more time and a bit more coaxing. The key is to start training when they’re young.

If you lead a busy life with lots of time constraints, or if you’re a novice dog owner, you may want to go with a dog breed that is easier to train. Here are some of the best dog breeds for house training.

Border Collies

The Border Collie is known as the smartest dog breed available. They are also easy to potty train as puppies. Initially bred to herd livestock, Border Collies are just balls of physical and mental energy. They learn quickly, which makes house training a breeze.

However, Border Collies are prone to trouble if not properly trained, so make sure to train them early. They also get bored quite easily if not physically or mentally engaged, so give your Border Collie something to do every day to avoid any disasters in your home.

Labrador Retriever

Known to be helpful, loyal, and courageous, Labrador Retrievers are a very common pet. Labs were originally bred to retrieve fish and fishing nets. Loveable and affectionate, Labradors always seem to have smiles on their faces.

Labradors are big bundles of energy but they’re also incredibly intelligent. You can begin training them as early as six months of age. Labrador Retrievers are eager to please, so house training should be a cinch.

Australian Shepherd

As you might guess, these dogs were bred to herd sheep, so they are full of energy and smarts. Australian Shepherds are a bold, confident, and independent breed. Similar to the Border Collie, Aussies need a good physical and mental workout every day to allay any boredom. An under-stimulated Aussie will try to herd anything, including children, other animals, and even cars.

Your Aussie should pick up house training quite easily. Just make sure he gets enough exercise while he’s at it.

Papillon

A smaller breed than those mentioned above, the Papillon is believed to have originated from the Dwarf Spaniel in Italy. The breed we see in the current day was developed in the 1800s by Belgian breeders. Papillon comes from the French word for “butterfly,” which describes this breed’s characteristic ears.

Papillons are probably the perfect lap dog with their small size and affectionate demeanor. They are also very clean and very intelligent, so house training should almost be second nature to them.

Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog was bred in the 1830s as a mix between a Smithfield and a wild dingo. This was then crossbred with several other breeds, including the Collie, Dalmation, and Australian Kelpie. Such a dynamic mix has led to the Australian Cattle Dog we know and love today. Like all other herding dogs, the Australian Cattle Dog craves physical and mental activity.

The Australian Cattle Dog is a smart, reliable breed and full of stamina. Start house training early and it shouldn’t be a problem.

Toy Poodle

The Toy Poodle is the tiny version of the standard Poodle we all know, but don’t let size fool you. Toy Poodles are playful, sensitive, and alert. They are incredibly affectionate, though some can be initially reserved around strangers. Toy Poodles may also bark and yap a bit.

These tiny dogs are full of energy. They are smart, but what makes poodles so easy to house train your is their sensitivity and eagerness to please.

Show Them Where To Go:

Make sure it’s easy for your dog to figure out where he should be relieving himself. Take him outdoors or to his UGODOG potty every time you notice he is about to relieve himself.

Be Consistent!

You’ll have to be very vigilant in the beginning of the process to make sure your dog gets the idea. Every time he starts to make a mistake, quickly pick him up and place him where he should be going. If you have a yard, outside is best. But if you live in an apartment or don’t have quick access to the outdoors, his dog potty will be appropriate. The more consistent you are with this, the faster the dog will make a connection.

Don’t Rub His Nose In It!

Literally! There is no reason to do this to a dog and it can actually give them a bacterial infection. Especially with young puppies, it’s unnecessary to punish them like this. Simply placing them outside every time they make an accident will encourage them to find their designated bathroom area next time. Most dogs are eager to please and will figure this out.

On the flip side of punishment, make sure to reward your dog each time he uses his UGODOG potty or signals to go outside. Rewarding positive behavior is much more effective than punishing negative behavior.

Give Access to the Outdoors, often!

The more that your dog is able to go outside the more success he will have and the happier the both of you will be. The idea, of course, is to have a fenced yard where he can safely go out at all times. If you have a dog door, utilize it, or leave a door cracked for him as much as it is safe to do so. This way your dog gets the idea on its own. Once he gets the idea that he’s supposed to go outside to relieve himself he’s likely to try to do that, but if you’re not there to open the door it will lead to a mistake. As a puppy gets older he’ll have more muscle control, but in the beginning he won’t be able to hold it.

Potty Training Pads

Some people like to use pads to train their dogs. These can be a good idea, especially if you live in a smaller city apartment and it’s difficult to take your dog all the way outside every time he needs to use the bathroom. If you don’t have a safe fenced yard or a yard at all, these can be lifesavers. Products like UGODOG are great indoor potties for dogs, and they are more cost effective and environmentally friendly than disposable pads. They also control odors effectively.

Get On a Schedule

One of the best ways to avoid as many accidents as possible is to pay attention to your dog’s natural cycle. In the beginning, potty training is really about how good you are at making sure your dog gets out at the right times. He’s not going to know how to ask to go outdoors in a timely fashion early on, so you’ll have to be on watch for him. A good bet is to let him out after he eats or drinks a lot of water, but he’ll need many outings in the early stages.

Use A Good Cleaner:

Make sure you clean up any accidents really well. The last thing you want is for him to smell a previous accident spot and think it’s a good place to relieve himself again. (Dogs like to designate a place to relieve themselves, and they do so with their sense of smell.) There are excellent products on the market like Nature’s Miracle that do a great job of removing natural odors and stains.

Be Patient:

If you’re consistent and keep on it, in a month or less your dog should at least have the idea of where he should go out. If you have a young puppy, an older dog, or an adult dog that was never potty trained before it may take awhile before you can really count on your new dog to do his business in the right spot. They will probably have the idea in a month, but accidents do happen! Try to maintain your cool and remember how much you love your fluffy four-legged friend. He’s trying to do the right thing for you!

However, one advantage to living in the city with a dog is that it can actually be better for both you and the dog. With no fenced yard to let Fido into every time he wants to go out, he will get more quality attention, walks, and exercise from you. Dog owners with yards are more apt to become lazy and use the yard in lieu of regular walks, exercise, and quality time.

Challenges of city living with a dog often revolve around the lack of a fenced-in yard. These challenges can include:

·         Finding time for three to five walks a day

·         Leaving your dog alone in your living space for eight or more hours a day during the work week

·         Having enough space for a larger dog

·         Getting the dog enough exercise

·         Difficulty in making frequent trips outside to go potty

Of course, there are many advantages to owning a dog in the city, including protection, never leaving your apartment empty for the day, having a great daily walking partner to get outdoors with and stay in shape, and the many joys of the constant companionship of a dog. For many city dog owners, once they learn to work around the yardless issue, the advantages of owning a dog well outweigh the challenges. 

How to Make City Living with a Dog Easier:

Tip # 1: Get on a Regular Walking and Feeding Schedule

Dogs like schedules and routines. Most dog owners have probably noticed that their dog expects to be fed and walked at the same times each day. This is good for both the dog and you, because you can predict when they will need to use the bathroom. Dogs on regular walking schedules also understand when it’s time to play and release energy (at walk time) and when it’s time to rest and be quiet (indoor time).

Most dogs need to be walked three to five times a day in order to get enough exercise and take a sufficient number of bathroom breaks. That’s a lot of walks to fit into a busy schedule. But two or three of these walks can be shorter bathroom breaks, and one or two of the walks, such as the walks you take before and after work, can be longer, exercise-centered walks or trips to the dog park.

Tip # 2: Hire a Dog Walker

If you work long hours or have a long commute to work, it may be impossible for you to fit in five walks a day or make a trip home on your lunch break to take the dog out. Having the help of a dog walker makes owning a dog in the city a much easier task. A midday dog walk with a dog walker will ensure that your dog gets the exercise he needs, a bathroom break, and some time outside the apartment while you’re away for long stretches of time.

Families with older children who get home from school before their parents can also help fulfill the role of a dog walker. If your child gets home from school several hours before you get home from work, a 30-minute walk outside with the dog may be just what they both need after a long day of sitting indoors.

Tip # 3: Purchase an Indoor Dog Potty

The UGODOG is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to owning a dog in the city. While this eco-friendly and convenient indoor dog potty should not take the place of regular walks, it can certainly make the dog-walking schedule a lot easier and less worrisome. Further, it can allow you to leave your dog alone in your apartment for long hours without having to worry that he won’t be able to relieve himself, or that he’ll do it on the living room rug.

If you need a few minutes to regroup or have a snack before your dog walk when you get home at the end of the day, an indoor dog potty can buy you this extra time. Fido may be desperate to get outside to play after being indoors all day, but at least you’ll know that he isn’t desperate to relieve himself. Dog potties are also extremely helpful at night when your dog needs to go out one last time and you’ve already gotten ready for bed.

Tip # 4: Take Advantage of Dog Parks

Dog parks have been growing in popularity over the last ten years, so it’s not too hard to find one near your home in most cities. Provided that your dog gets along with other canines, a dog park allows him to socialize with other dogs and gives you both much-needed space for play and exercise. Dogs should get a variety of forms exercise—not just walks—and a dog park can allow your pooch to run, swim, and play games of catch and frisbee.

Tip # 5: Get Dog Obedience Training

It won’t do you any good to purchase an indoor dog potty or hire a dog walker if your dog is so ill-behaved that he has to spend the whole day in a crate or can’t be walked by anyone but you. Crate training is great for puppies but doesn’t work well as a long-term solution or replacement for obedience training. You will enjoy your dog a lot more and you’ll both be a lot happier if you can trust him alone in your apartment, train him to use an indoor dog potty, take him to the dog park, and let a dog walker exercise him with other dogs.