You Can Teach Your Old Dogs New Tricks (On Older Dog Potty Training) By Cecilia Baird

Some say "You can't teach old dogs new tricks". For me that's wrong. Old dogs can also learn potty training or house breaking but some people think otherwise. At first, given the principle above, you would think that it would be impossible to teach old dogs the proper place to defecate, but older dog potty training is not impossible.Marking his territoryKeep in mind when starting older dog potty training, dogs know where exactly to eliminate, using their cunning sense of smell. Dogs, it is safe to say, that use their nose most of the time to think and act upon the situation. They know exactly where they need to go to 'do it' just by sniffing their scent.If you would notice in the animal kingdom, that most mammals like, wild dogs, tigers and lions scent mark their territories to let other mammals know that it is their own. When I say scent mark, it means defecate or urinate on it.Poop on the floorIf you (when beginning older dog potty training) happen to see that there's a poop on the floor and without catching your dog doing it, don't punish him for the incident. It would just stick to his mind that you're mad about the mess on the floor and not the act itself.Just take a deep breath and grab a newspaper or an old towel and rub it onto the mess on the floor. It wouldn't take you as much as two minutes to clean it all up.Catch him in the act of doing itIt is best to catch your dog in the middle of 'doing it'. Don't punish him because he doesn't know what he is being punished for. Otherwise he will fear you instead of looking up to you as a master and a leader.Dogs usually eliminate right after their meal and waking up after a nap.A simple and firm 'Stop it' is good enough. Afterwards, make sure that you walk him outside or guide him to the proper place where he can 'go'.Don't forget to praise him for a job well done after he finishes his task where you wanted it to happen or else he would not give a big deal out of it. Remember, positive reinforcement helps to discipline your dog.A follow upAs with any training when attempting older dog potty training, you need to be consistent in letting your dog know where you want him to eliminate. As an animal, your dog will keep on coming back to the place in your house where he defecated.In order for you to take that memory and scent off your dog's mind, make sure that the stench is properly removed by getting the proper cleaning agent to do the job. Keep in mind that when you walk your dog outside to eliminate be aware that you need to put him in the right place where you want him to 'go'.If your dog is compliant with where you want him to defecate or urinate, reward him with a simple treat such as small bits and pieces of chicken or anything that motivates him. That would have him go back to the same place over and over again until the time he gets used to it. Remember older dog potty training is not impossible.