can i train my dog?

[rachie204]

I have a full grown dog.  I have had him for about 2 years and he has always been an out door dog.  We have brought him in a few hours at a time and he has never went on the floor.  I would like to get a doggie door and have him be able to come and go as he pleases but I am afraid to have him inside b/c he is a very large dog and if he has an accident it is going to be ALOT.  I dont think a crate will work b/c we have the largest one i have seen and it is too small for him.  Any suggestions would be great.  Do you think he might just not want to go to the bathroom in the house since he has always used the outdoors?

[Jaybay]

I haven't used PetSmart, but it all depends on the individual trainers who run the classes.  The most important part of any training program involves training the owner.  If the owner doesn't understand the dog and consistently apply discipline techniques, the training will fail.  Back to PetSmart, I know the classes are popular because they're inexpensive.  I say give it a try, and if you aren't happy with the results, move on to another trainer or school.

[rachie204]

thanks.  I really hope so.  Has anyone sent their dog to pet smart training classes?  How are they?

[Jaybay]

Of course you can house train your dog!  Follow the same basic rules that you would for a puppy in the beginning.  Don't give him the run of the house at first, but keep him where people can watch him if he starts lifting a leg or squatting.  Just say, "No" and take him outside.  Follow with praise when he takes care of business outside.

At night, restrict water a couple hours before bedtime, and make sure you take him outside so he can start the night with empty tanks.  In some ways it's easier with an older dog because they already have bowel and bladder control, and can hold it longer than a puppy.  Yeah, you may have an accident or two in the beginning, so don't give up too soon.  No yelling, no rubbing his nose in it.  Just take him out and silently clean it up.  He'll get it.  The teaching moment is catching him in the beginning of the act, so you'll have to be vigilant at first.  And you may be right: he may already be so used to going outside, you won't have any problem at all.  :-)