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Pug Housetraining Using a Crate and a Leash |
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Written by Michelle E. Arthur
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Tuesday, 15 April 2008 |
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For most Pugs, the opportunity to run around in a big yard just can't happen. Pugs are more likely to spend their days cooped up in the house while their owner or family goes out. This makes creating a potty schedule difficult.
by MichelleE.Arthur
For most Pugs, the opportunity to run around in a big yard just can't happen. Pugs are more likely to spend their days cooped up in the house while their owner or family goes out. This makes creating a potty schedule difficult.
Combining the use of crate and leash training can work wonders for Pugs. If you have a new adult Pug joining your family or returning from a kennel while you were on vacation, you may have to reinforce potty training behavior.
One way to train is by using a crate during the day and incorporate a leash that isn't too restricting when you are at home with your Pug. Keeping your Pug locked up and unable to roam around all day is not really the best answer - but it is a part of the training process.
Begin the housetraining process as if your Pug were a puppy and schedule regular breaks for the potty. Take your Pug outside when he is ready to eliminate instead of right after meals when puppy hasn't had much time to digest. You want to make sure that each trip is a meaningful one.
Spend the weekend closely observing him on the leash whenever he's out of the crate so that you begin to recognize the signs that he needs to potty. He may shake, sniff around, act agitated or start to squat. Those are your signals to stop what you're doing and immediately take him to potty.
Always remember to praise your pooch highly whenever he does his business. This teaches him that when he goes potty in a certain spot that you are proud of him.
Perhaps you were on vacation and your Pug had to stay in a kennel for a while. During his stay he probably had to potty in the same areas where he ate and slept. This behavior can hinder any previous housetraining accomplishments and may have made your Pug very sad and depressed.
Pugs hate to mix their elimination place with their comfortable sleeping and eating spots. So you will need to build up your puppy's confidence in his abilities again. He needs you for positive reinforcement and to take him out when he has the urge to go.
An older Pug probably has better bladder control than a puppy, so he can usually go longer periods between potty breaks. However, your Pug may have a urinary tract infection, diarrhea or other medical problem that's the real cause of his accidents.
If you notice a sudden or drastic change in your Pug's potty habits it is a good idea to take him to the vet for safe measure. Potty problems can be a sign of something much more serious.
During the time he's being treated for the medical condition, go easy on the potty training. Your Pug needs to feel well and be reasonably able to manage his urine and elimination so that he can cooperate with your training. Keep him on a leash when he's not in the crate and carefully care for him by helping notice signs that he needs to potty while he recovers.
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