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How to House Train a Stray Pup
Not all pet owners find their forever furry friend by going to a pet shelter. Indeed, some happen to come across a stray pup by chance and form such a strong and instant connection to them that they end up taking the little one home.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation, it can certainly be an exciting and stressful time. That being said, house training is an essential part of acclimating a stray animal to living inside of your home. In the beginning, you’ll likely have to wipe up plenty of pesky urine puddles and dispose of poop with customizable dog poop bag pouches.
Fortunately, regular house training can get your pup used to the idea of going outside to do their business. To help you out, here are some tips and tricks to make the process a lot easier:
Adjust Their Diet Accordingly
A well-balanced diet may not have been easy to come by for your stray pup. After visiting the Vet, your next step is ensure a balanced diet. The food that your dog consumes often affects their bathroom habits. Indeed, a change in their usual diet might upset their stomach. In case your newly adopted pup is experiencing diarrhea or appears to have loose stools, make sure to take them to a vet right away. This will help you determine if your furry friend has any existing medical conditions that need to be addressed with a change in diet. Some customizable pet products, such as an elevated stainless-steel bowl, can help them eat more comfortably and keep them from developing digestive disorders.
Form a Routine
Dogs need something to look forward to every day to keep them motivated. This is especially important for a pup that used to be a stray, as they’ll find themselves feeling bored while adjusting to being a house pet. Boredom and anxiety go hand in hand, to keep your stray pup well behaved set a routine.
That being said, following a regular schedule can be helpful for them. Feed them at specific times throughout the day, then let them outside so they can relieve themselves. On average, you want to take your furbaby outside for at least four to six bathroom breaks a day. At a minimum, do it first thing in the morning, after each meal, when you get home from work, and before you go to sleep. The routine will help your canine companion associate going outside with doing their business, which will help in their house training.
Choose a Specific Spot Where They Can Relieve Themselves
If you don’t have a lot of space outside of your home, you can still designate a small area of it as your dog’s toilet spot. It can be a patch of soil, a compost pile, or something else. After all, you don’t want your fur baby leaving their urine or feces all over your yard. Let your pup associate the specific spot with toilet time whenever you take them out for a bathroom break.
Understand Scent Markings and Take Advantage of Them
Dogs are typically territorial and like leaving their scent on certain areas to mark them. Thus, you must pick up on how your pooch marks their territory and use that in house training them.
If your fur baby urinates inside of your home, don’t throw away the house training pads just yet. Instead, take the pads outside and leave them in the specific areas that you want your pup to associate with bathroom breaks. The next time you bring your pooch out to relieve themselves, they’ll smell the pads and know to go there if they need to pee or poop. Once they’ve gotten the hang of it, you can throw the training pads away.
Next, make sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect any surfaces in your home that your canine companion has peed on. This will get rid of any scent trails that your pup may pick up. To ensure that you effectively neutralize the scent, use an enzymatic cleaning product to do the job.
Be Quick to Correct Accidents
At first, it will take time for your fur baby to understand that the house is not a toilet. It may be necessary for you to tether or crate them for a while if they’re at the beginning stages of house training. Once you feel that it’s safe to let them roam around your home, remain vigilant. If they urinate or defecate anywhere, they shouldn’t, respond immediately by clapping your hands or calling their name sternly to get their attention. Then, approach them and carry them outside to their toilet spot. If they continue with their business outside, reward them with praise and pets.
House training a stray dog is a challenging process, but it doesn’t have to be a hassle. By following the tips in this guide, you can make toilet training more effective and easier to manage for both of you. Just understand where your new canine companion is coming from so that you don’t lose your temper when they slip up here or there. Remember that they’re still new to living indoors and will need some time to get used to the idea that their toilet is outside—not inside—of your home. With persistence and a lot of patience, your forever furry friend will eventually get the hang of it.
