Potty Training Dogs

Archive for March, 2006

Question: Have any of you ever had/worked with a deaf and blind dog?

I’m going to do some research on it but was curious if anyone in the Dogs section has had any personal experience with a deaf and blind doggie. How do you train them, especially potty training?
Jeter: Thanks, but this dog is actually blind AND deaf, both.

Laughing: Thank you. Yes, the dog is both blind and deaf. I’m thinking about fostering or adopting but wanted to look into it more. I was envisioning making signs into her little paws like Helen Keller, lol! I appreciate the info.
Expertise: Wow, so I’m insane and soft-headed? Thanks for sharing. Who says a blind and deaf dog has no quality of life? I know lots of people who have had blind and deaf dogs that would say you’re so wrong. Do you think Helen Keller had no quality of life, too?

Answer: Training is almost identical, you just rely either on only hand signals or only on verbal commands. For a deaf AND blind dog, you use touch as commands or vibrations. (Ex. for sit, you touch their shoulder once with a finger)

As for potty training, it’s quite similar. When you first recieve the dog, don’t let them inside unless they’ve gone in their specified spot. Once they do, praise! Touch, treats, etc. For a deaf dog, still make noise because your facial expression will match. For a deaf dog having an accident, stomp on the floor hard. The vibration will startle them. Then use your “no” hand signal so they know it’s incorrect, and put them in the correct spot to go. For a blind dog, use a voice correction maybe some clapping to startle them to stop, and then move them to the proper place. Praise when they go in the right spot.

As for a deaf and blind dog, it’s trickier. You have to wait for them to go in their designated spot, and praise immensly. When they go inside, stomp on the floor and move them to the correct spot. Some people prefer leading them, so they have more of a feel as to where it is. If they have an accident in the house, you need to clean it up WELL because their sense of smell is very strong. Use the paper towels you used to clean up with to put in the right bathroom spot, he’ll be able to follow his nose to that spot.

I met one little pup, she was deaf and slightly blind, but still could see pretty well. She knew over 50 hand signals! The owner actually admitted to being the more dumb one, seeing he could hardly remember all of them, but the pup knew exactly what he wanted at all times.

Good luck!

Question: How do I re-potty-train a dog?

I found a dog and have put signs up everywhere. Our back-up plan if we don’t receive a call is to keep her. We have another dog and a doggy door, but how do I retrain this new dog to use it (and being potty-trained in general in a new home)?

Also, if you have any advice about introducing a dog to a new family dog, I’d love that help. The dog that we currently have has never had to live with another dog before.

Answer: If you want to train the dog to use the dog door to go outside you just have to show him that it is okay to use and treat him when he goes in and out.

To house train this dog you have to have him on a bathroom schedule until he gets the idea that he has to go outside to potty. Take him out every hour and when he pee’s or poo’s say the word potty and praise. After a few weeks he will get the message.

If he pee’s or poo’s in the house don’t yell unless you catch him in the act, otherwise he wont know what you are yelling for.

You want your dog and this dog to meet on neutral territory if they have not already met. This is where you will see if they like eachother. if there is aggressive behavior from either one you need to reconsider keeping the new dog.

Feed them separatley and feed your old dog first to show him that he has not lost his position in the house.

Just keep an eye out for aggressive behavior and signs of stress in the dogs and they should be fine.

How to Potty Train Your Dog

Question: I am looking for some suggestions on the kind of dog to get that is small, little shedding, and easy to train.?

I was wanting some avid dog lovers opinion on the best kind of dog for the house that is easily potty trained/crate trained, little smell, and little shedding

Answer: YORKIE OR CHIHUAHUA

Puppy Training & Care : How to Pick Out the Best Lab Puppy