How to Train Inside Dogs

It is impossible to live peacefully with an indoor dog unless it's trained. Dogs do not know instinctually how to live indoors with humans; they must be trained. The most important lesson an indoor dog must learn is to urinate and defecate outside. Fortunately, you can use your dog's natural preferences when potty-training and can also encourage the pooch with rewards it will enjoy. With persistence and patience you can train your indoor dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate
  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep your dog in a crate when you cannot watch it. Confine your dog in the crate when you are away from home, sleeping or are not able to provide supervision. This will keep your dog from getting into what it shouldn't and will help with potty-training. Dogs do not like to eliminate where they eat or rest. So your dog almost certainly will not soil his crate.

    • 2

      Take your dog outside at the same times every day. Establishing a potty routine will help the dog learn how long it must hold its bladder and bowels before it can eliminate. Going through the same door to the same area outside every time reinforces the routine.

    • 3

      Stop any desirable behavior the first time you see it. For instance, if you don't want your dog to get on the couch, do not let it do so even once. If you permit the dog to sit with you on the couch on occasion and then change your mind, the dog will become confused. It won't understand why it is allowed to do so sometimes but gets into trouble at other times. Sending your dog mixed signals will impede the training process.

    • 4

      Reward your dog's good behavior. Dogs respond well to praise in the form of affection and treats. If it knows it will get this when it obeys, it will be inspired to continue acting in that way. Also reward your dog when it displays good behavior. For instance, if you don't want your dog to bark, praise it when it is being quiet. Similarly, if you don't want it jumping on the couch, give it treats when it sits or lies on the floor. You want the dog to associate obeying you with positive things.