Housebreaking an Adult Dog
Using the Umbilical Cord Method
Introduction
Most puppies can be housebroken prior to 8 months of age
using traditional methods.But for
older dogs that are still having accidents in the house, the umbilical cord
method should be used. This method has worked on the most difficult
housebreaking cases and can be used with dogs of any age.
When the owner makes a commitment to success and is
consistent with its application, the success rate using this method is very
high.
Dogs do NOT eliminate in the house because of anger, spite,
jealousy, boredom or mischief. With the exceptions of territorial urine
marking, illness, or (rarely) separation distress syndrome, dogs go to the
bathroom in the house for one reason: they
have never been properly housetrained by the owner.
There are some common mistakes that owners make during early
housebreaking attempts that can exacerbate the problem:
the
use of puppy pads inside the home
too
much freedom too soon
punishment
after the fact
using
the wrong cleaners to clean up the mess
not
using a dog crate
But even if the above mistakes have been made, ANY DOG CAN
BE HOUSEBROKEN!
Procedure
Put a
6 foot leash on the dog and tie it to your belt. The dog is connected to
you (umbilical cord). He goes where you go.
When
it is not possible to keep the dog tethered to you on the leash, he should
be placed in his crate. (Except for overnight, a dog should not be crated
for more than 3 to 4 consecutive hours. Many working people find it
necessary to hire a pet sitter to give the dog an afternoon “break.”)
Take
the dog outside every hour using the verbal cue “want to go out?” in a
happy high pitched tone when you get to the door. Do not wait for a
“signal” from the dog - just take him out every hour, for about 5 minutes.
Always USE THE SAME DOOR to exit.
Give
the verbal cue “hurry up.” If he eliminates outside, praise him in a
happy, high pitched voice at the moment that he finishes doing his
business.
Whenever
the dog is not in his crate, he should be on the leash, attached to you.
If he begins to urinate or defecate in your presence, correct him in a
loud, low tone of voice. Don’t
scream and yell -you should
startle, but not frighten, the dog.Immediately take him outside and give the verbal cue “hurry up.” If
he eliminates outside, praise him in a happy, high pitched voice at the
moment that he finishes doing his business.
After
10 consecutive days with no accidents, disconnect the leash and begin to
allow limited freedom, using gates to confine the dog to one room of the
house. BE SURE TO CONTINUE THE CONSTANT SUPERVISON at this stage! If you
are not in the same room with the dog, put the dog in his crate. Be sure
to keep an eye on the dog at all times. Continue this step for 30 days.
If
there have been no accidents during the 30 day period in step 6, you can
begin to allow a bit more freedom.Confine the dog to the initial room plus an adjoining room – do not
give him freedom to roam throughout the entire house. You can begin to
allow him to be alone in these 2
different rooms for very short periods of time.Be sure to crate him if you leave the house, even for a
few minutes. Continue to take him out every hour, and continue to praise
him when he goes to the bathroom outside. Continue this step for 30 days.
If
there have been no accidents during the 30 day period in step 7, he can be
now be given full run of the house, but he should still be crated when you
leave the house.
If your dog has an accident during step 6, 7 or 8, go back
one step.If he has another
accident after you back one step, go back to step 1 and start over again. Some
dogs will need to be “connected” to you on the leash for a long period of time
in order to become housebroken, so be patient. The good news is that once a dog had been housebroken using this
method, he will usually not regress.
