Bringing an adult dog into your home requires just as much work by you and the family as does a new puppy. It’s actually a mistake to believe that just because the dog is full-grown and might have been potty trained in one home, that he will just straight away adapt to your home’s elimination routine, as well.
That’s just not practical. The dog has numerous adjustments to his new surroundings and does not intuitively know that you do not allow urinating on the floor – especially if his previous owner didn’t mind or didn’t appear to care.
Do not make the error of presuming that simply because he is a grown-up dog that he’ll just “know” what to do. Begin with him as though he were a puppy and steadily teach him the routine of your home’s dog potty schedule.
You most likely will need to begin with crate training or restriction to a bathroom. Then established a schedule for potty breaks. Grown-up dogs are extremely fussy about finding a potty spot outdoors that is apart from wherever they play, in the same way they don’t like to potty close to where they sleep or eat.
Help him locate that spot in your yard or outside when going for walks and return him there for subsequent potty breaks. You must keep track of the potty breaks for several weeks to understand your dog’s elimination habits.
You might also need to arranged morning and evening feeding times. He might not have experienced this kind of structured lifestyle routine, which means this could take some time for adjustment. Do not believe that old saying, ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” It is not the age of your dog that matters – it’s the consistency of the owner.
In case your dog came from an abusive home, regardless of whether it was just filled with shouting and smacking with paper for any accidents, then your teaching attempts might take more time. Initially, you will need to gain the dog’s assurance and recognize that he requires time to get comfortable in his new home.
There will be mishaps, so be ready to clean it up and move ahead. Please don’t assume that an adult dog is going to be any simpler to teach over a puppy. Both dogs would deal with precisely the same adjustment issues. You need to train with consistency and love so that you will strengthen the reactions that you want repeated.
A more mature male dog may possibly be used to marking his territory by urinating onto it. It is really an instinctive behavior for male dogs – you are not likely to break him from it without breaking his spirit or getting him neutered.
Matthew Scott
Owner/Pet Lover
Creature Comforts of Charlotte Pet Sitting
http://www.creaturecomfortscharlotte.com
704-960-9751