Older dogs will find it harder to assimilate new behavior patterns. You will have problems house training your pet, the older it becomes.

I agreed to take care of an adult dog that belonged to someone I knew as he was having problems with its behavior as I thought I knew all there was to know about animals but this experience turned out a lot tougher than I anticipated.

It is important to understand your pet as older being and consider how training a child new task differs from learning new things as an adult. Also as an adult how difficult it can be to break old habits

My dog was always used to going to the toilet inside a house and teaching it that this was now unacceptable was going to be extremely difficult.

I thought I’d start by helping the dog feel comfortable being around me and help him to trust that I was his friend. Dogs want to please those that love them and respond better when they are given attention.

I found a make shift bed that was just the right size for him. Not too big as to confuse but not too to be cramped or cruel.

I maintained a constant pattern whereby I’d fed him then walk him outside to an area where he could relieve himself if he wanted to.

Adult dogs respond well to repeated actions. Taking your dog to a specific area builds the association in his mind until it becomes his natural territory.

When your dog is being taught his special place to pee don’t dispose of the evidence too thoroughly until his used to it. This way the dog’s nose will lead the way as he’s familiar with his own scent.

Using the same words or phrase allows your adult pouch to recognize them more easily and quickly. If you want him to go to the toilet tell me, directly and simply and don’t alter your phrasing.

A dog’s nose is very sensitive. If your dog has an accident in the house and you don’t clean it thoroughly it can pick up on that lingering scent and associate it with where to relieve itself.

Clean carpets and floors thoroughly to replace any trace of the smell of urination.

I spoke before of the importance of finding a secure bed for your dog where he feels safe.

Dogs will find areas where they are safe and comfortable and will return to them. Show your bed where to sleep and that becomes they bed area. They will choose another area to go to the toilet. They are creatures of habit.

Keep an eye on your pet’s sleep patterns and when he’s rested take him outside to his toilet area upon waking, further establishing the idea in his head.

The more you repeat these steps the more they will become habit for your dog and he will learn that his place to empty his bladder is outside of your home.

In conclusion, you don’t want your dog anxious and fretting in the middle of the night or waking up the whole house to be let out so be sensible about when and how much you feed him.

Everything is possible if you’re willing to work with your pet and not against him. He will learn from you and respond to you and soon will be running outside every time he needs a rest stop. Just be sure to praise his good behavior and show him lots of affection as like a child. He learns from your attitude and example.

View post: Maintain routine in feeding while Dog potty training