Video Newsletter - 7 Ways To Cure Your Housetraining Problem

Okay, so I'm still a little depressed over the Superbowl.

But...

I know the cure for feeling down. Want to know what it is? Here it is in two words:

GET BUSY!

So yesterday I got busy and put together a new video newsletter for you.

The video is a cure for your housetraining problems. I get a ton of email asking about housetraining.

I wrote an article about this about a month ago and decided to make a video explaining the steps.

I'll show you the video in just a second but I wanted to say that unfortunately I can't personally answer every email anymore.

I try to but I get so many that I would have to spend the entire day answering them.

The subscribers to this newsletter is approaching 15,000. Which is not surprising because you won't find any dog trainer on the internet that shares as much valuable dog training advice, behavior tips, and videos as I do.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I love getting emails from all of you. What I am in the process of doing is putting together a Frequently Asked Questions page.

A lot of the questions that I get are the same:

Jumping, housetraining, puppy biting, mouthy behavior, barking etc.

I will let you know when the FAQ page is ready and please keep sending me your questions it will help me develop this page.

Anyway, this week's newsletter is a great one to pass on to any friends or family members that are having a difficult time housetraining their dogs.

Check it out:




Your friend,

Eric

P.S. You still have five days left to take advantage of my "I'm Not A Sore Loser" package. The package includes: The Ultimate On-line training course, Good K9 Manners course and my ebook "The Amazing Dog Training Man". Click here: Good K9 Manners

Housetraining Follow Up

I got a lot of email in regards to my "7 Ways To Cure Your Dogs Housetraining Problem" post. In the post, I wrote that a good step to take is to teach your dog to give you a cue. One very popular way is to hang a bell on the door and teach your dog to hit the bell to let you know that your dog needs to go out.

One reader, Jen, asked this question:

How would you use the bell technique?

I had ALOT of trouble housetraining my last min pin and I think that the bell idea would be great for my next little one. Miniature pinschers are THE hardest dogs to housetrain and I found that when you clean up the mess, if you rub the spot with a tad of vinegar, and the dog isn't attracted to that spot anymore.

With min pins (for other owners) It's easy to overlook little messes, as they are so small. You always have to check thoroughly to make sure you can clean it up and not let them think that its appropriate for them to go to the toilet inside.

Here is the answer for Jen.

The easiest way that I know is to put a little peanut butter on the bell while your dog is not watching. Then bring your dog to the door and close to the bell. As your dog starts to sniff the bell, say, "Good girl" and open the door and bring your dog out.

Repeat that a couple of dozen times then every time you go out the door, hit the bell and bring your dog out. Your dog will start to get the picture.

Good luck!

Best,

Eric

7 Ways To Cure Your Dogs Housetraining Problem

In my dog training business, if I had to list the top five behavior problems housetraining would be near the top. I get a lot of email and phone calls for housetraining.

Here are 7 ways to cure your dogs housetraining problem:

1. Management - One of the easiest steps to take is to use a crate. This will help you manage your dogs behavior when you are not there or can't watch your dog.

2. Teach a cue - Teach your dog to give you a cue that they need to go out. Hanging a bell on the door is popular. This way when your dog needs to go they hit the bell to let you know. Most dogs will give off some type of cue that they need to go. Some bark at the door, some scratch at the door and some dogs just pace around the room. Pay attention to see what type of cue your dog gives.

3. Proper cleaning - Don't clean with ammonia based products. The ammonia smells like urine and it will attract your dog back to the same spot. Clean with products that have enzymes that break down the smell.

4. Health check - Physical problems always need to be ruled out. If your dog has a physical problem no amount of behavior training can help.

5. Go on command - Teach your dog to go on command. It's easy and your dog can learn this in about a week.

6. Be there to influence behavior - If your dog goes in the house you need to be there to catch your dog "in the act". This way you can discourage your dog from going in the house and bring her out. The same holds true for when your dog is outside. A lot of people let there dog out into a fenced yard on their own. Now when the dog goes outside there is no one there to reward the dog for going in the right place. You need to be there to discourage AND reward.

7. Careful with punishment - A dog that is heavily punished for doing a natural, normal behavior in the wrong place becomes confused easily. If you harshly punish your dog for a mistake, your dog may hold it when in your presence - inside and outside. Now your dog will sneak off in the house and do his stuff when your not looking.

There you have it. The Amazing Dog Training Man's 7 Ways To Cue Your Dog's Housetraining Problems. Please feel free to leave a comment.

All the best,

Eric

P.S. My online dog training course includes my report "How To Housetrain Your Dog In 10 Days Or Less. You can get all the details here:

http://theamazingdogtrainingman.com/homestudy1.htm

Whats Everyone Talking About?

"Thanks, Eric...our dog really needs this and has a few issues - I plan to try this out soon"!

"Wonderful tips to train puppies" :)

"Very, very helpful. Thank you"!

"Good idea. I used this on my dog and in no time he knows how to stay".

"Thanks for the good advice".

"Such a great video tutorial. Thanks a million. I have two puppies; 9 wks and 17 wks... definitely could use the help in this area". ;)

"Absolutely outstanding article that solved the problem we had. Thanks"!

"Thank you"!

"Nice video".

"I just tried this with our lab...it worked! Thanks" :)

"Superb article. We have seven dogs, we are the alphas, and it makes life very pleasant for all of us. With the exception of the sock/leash behavior, this is exactly how we achieved peace within our "pack," which includes a dobie, rat terrier, two labs, a shepard, a large short-legged guy we have no clue about, and a pit".

"This is going to help my family deal with this problem with our 5 dogs. Thanks"!

"Very accurate and helpful. Thanks"!

"Nice article, super stuff".

Those are just a few comments from the articles that I have posted at ehow.com. You can check them out by clicking on this link:

http://www.ehow.com/Search.aspx?s=eletendre&Options=0

All the best,

Eric

P.S. You can still get the Good K9 Manners Mini-Course. It's a video course that will help you understand problem behavior and what to do about it. Get the course here: Good K9 Manners

I Was Missing The “U”

Woke up this morning and opened up my email. This is one of the emails that I received:

Dear Eric and Rachel,

I want to send you guys this email from the cold country of Germany with all my warmest regards. What you have put up in the internet is the most helpful thing for me and my dog (we are working on leash aggression) I have read many books, have done much on research. You were saying something about cross association and bingo! I understand I can help my dog; I was missing the "U" in M.U.T.T.

I have spent lots! of money on private so call dog trainers, who worked with adverse methods and really goofed me and my dog up. I need to get my hands on your book!! How is it with shipping and handling overseas?

THANK YOU ERIC!!

Serena

I love getting emails like that because my website and info have helped someone thousands of miles away.

In the email she mentions using the M.U.T.T. Method. This is an acronym I developed to help people understand and deal with behavior problems. For too long dog trainers have tried unsuccessfully to deal with behavior problems by using force and punishment.

I have said for years that punishment can be a very effective form of behavior modification – but here’s the rub. Very few, and I mean very few trainers know how to use punishment correctly.

In order for punishment to work properly four steps need to be followed – EVERYTIME.

Do you know what those four steps are?

I’ll explain them in a future blog post.

Anyway, using force to overcome behavior problems can make the behaviors worse!

That is what happened to Serena’s dog. That’s why I teach positive methods. When you use positive reinforcement there are no adverse side effects.

When you use negative reinforcement there are always side effects. A little while back I did a video newsletter describing my M.U.T.T Method. I have included it in this blog for you to view.

M.U.T.T. Method Video

If you have problems with this link you can watch it on youtube.com:

YouTube.com M.U.T.T. Method Video

All the best,

Eric

P.S. Have a great weekend!