According the Humane Society of the United States, between 6 and 8 million dogs end up in shelters every year. Only half of those pets find homes, while still more never even make it to shelters. Most unwanted pets fall prey to these circumstances due to no fault of their own. Adopting a homeless dog that has been dumped, or one from a shelter, can be a rewarding experience for both you and the dog. Regardless of the dog's age, you may find it necessary housetrain it. There are several considerations and steps for housetraining a rescue dog.
Instructions
Designate an approved potty area for your dog. This area is where it they should always be taken to eliminate. Some owners prefer to paper train their pets, allowing them to potty in designated indoor areas. This should only be done if your dog will always be allowed to continue that practice. Otherwise, teaching your dog to potty outside is preferable. In the beginning always go outside with your dog, preferably on a leash, and give a command like "go potty" and praise it for doing so. This lets the dog know in a positive way that this is preferable behavior. Hang a bell at the dog's level by the outside door and teach it to signal you. Ring the bell every time you take the dog out until it begins doing so for itself.
Create a schedule and stick to it. Dogs are creatures of habit and work well with predictability. Dogs generally need to eliminate after eating, drinking, playing or upon waking. By anticipating their needs, you can design a schedule of potty breaks around your daily routine. Have set feeding times, and pick up water two hours before the dog's last potty break before bed. Keep in mind that even so-called housetrained rescue dogs may have accidents at first in a new home. Generally this will resolve quickly when the dog understands the household routine.
Use consistent praise and do not punish the dog for accidents. If you find an accident that you did not witness, you cannot punish the dog. A dog will not make the association between your anger and the accident. A rescue dog may be overcoming a negative past, so patience and positive reinforcement are critical. Correction must be swift and occur at the direct time of the incident. If you catch the dog in the act, say "No" and immediately take the dog to the desired location. Praise the dog whether or not it completes the task outside.
Do not leave your dog unsupervised. Any new dog, regardless of its age, should not be left unattended until fully trained and well adjusted. This means keeping the dog with you in order to respond quickly to the dog's actions and needs. Crate training, or confinement to a designated room, should be used when the dog cannot be supervised. Dogs typically do not soil in their bed, crate or "den" making this an effective training tool. Put your dog in its designated area any time you cannot give it proper supervision. Always provide plenty of exercise and interaction daily.
Completely clean any areas the dog has soiled in the house. Preferably, accidents should be cleaned as soon as they occur. Dogs typically return to the same location inside or outside to potty. To prevent repeating accidents inside, the site must be thoroughly cleaned and odor neutralized. Do not use ammonia as it only accentuates the odor. There are many enzymatic cleaners designed for potty accidents available at most pet supply stores. Vinegar also eliminates bacteria and odor. Most commercial cleaners or deodorizers not designed specifically for pet stains are ineffective.