How to Housetrain a Stubborn Bichon

The bichon frise is a very intelligent and strong-minded dog, so it can be particularly stubborn when it comes to house-training. A bichon is also a very charming dog, which means that it is adept at using its charm to get its way. House-training a stubborn bichon requires consistency and positive reinforcement of good behavior. Your bichon will be more in the mood to please you if it thinks that you are pleased with it, so a lot of praise when it goes potty outside will go a long way in overcoming the dog's stubborn streak.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get up early so that you can take your bichon outside to go to the bathroom before it has its first accident. If your bichon is allowed to have an accident in the house, it will make it more difficult to encourage the dog to go outside.

    • 2

      Use a one-word command for when you want your bichon to go potty. Place your dog in the spot where you want it to go and repeat the command in an encouraging tone until the bichon has relieved itself. If you are consistent, your bichon will associate the command with where you want it to do its business.

    • 3

      Use the tone of your voice to communicate to your bichon if you are pleased or upset with what it has done. When your dog goes potty outside, say the one-word command in a praising tone and give the dog a treat to reinforce its good behavior. If your dog has an accident, say the one-word command in a stern tone. Say the one-word command in a questioning tone to ask your bichon if it needs to go outside.

    • 4

      Stay outside with your dog until it has done its business. A particularly stubborn bichon will sometimes sit or play outside for a while to make you think it has gone potty so that you will give it a treat. Make sure that you see that your bichon has done what it was supposed to do.

    • 5

      Take your bichon out to potty at regular times of the day and immediately after feeding it to avoid indoor accidents. Take the dog to the same area of the yard every time you want it to go to the bathroom. This consistency and familiarity will cue the dog as to what you want it to do, and if the dog associates doing well with praise and treats, even a stubborn bichon will be more encouraged to do what you want it to do.