Rewarding Not Working?

[BaxterTLR]

So my pup doesnt seem to care all that much when he is rewarded for doing good things, that or he doesnt find it rewarding enough to repeat the task.

Treats/food has worked well for doing basic training (sit, lay, paw/shake, so far) but when it comes to utilizing the wee pads or waiting to go outsite he just doesnt seem care (its prolly somewhere around half the time on his pads and half the time on the carpets). Any recommendations? Thanks.

 

[LILYLARUE]

First recommendation, get rid of the pee pads. This actually teaches the pup that going inside is ok. Not to mention, now you will have to teach him NOT to go inside and ONLY go outside when you want him completely housetrained.

Second, make sure you use an enzymatic cleaner to clean the oopsies up. If they smell any linger odor, this tells them that this is the potty area.

Third, up your rewards! Maybe you aren't giving him a high value reward? If he pottys outside, do you make a huge deal about it? Pee Pee Party is a must!! What makes that pup get all excited over? a toy? a tasty morsel? a quick tug game? a ball? Find out what HIS prize is and use that prize as the reward.

Dogs want their people happy, so if you make a huge fuss over the good things, getting excited, jumping for joy, happy happy voice, and a tasty treat, the dog will repeat just to see you so happy!

 

[CoraBoxer]

To add to whats already been said, avoid indoor mistakes. Not sure how old the pup is, but its not out of spite. Think for the pup and make sure it happens outside where you want it.

 

[Mega's Mom]

I also recommend getting rid of the pee pads. You will only have to re-teach him how to go potty outside.

Pee Pee Party is a must!!

This. I would go absolutely when Corenlius went potty outside. I wanted him know it was a BIG DEAL and you could tell that he knew he was doing something awesome. Trust me, it helps!

 

[BaxterTLR]

I am now using the remaining pee pads as absorbing rags for his mistakes (even cut into smaller pieces they work very well).

I will have to try making a bigger deal when he does it right, and give him more treats!

Now, when do you reward him? Right after he finishes or while he is doing it? (I dont want to risk him not finishing because of the rewards)

 

[DebbieJen]

I also make a huge deal out of it when Layla goes pee or poop outside. I use a high tone happy voice and tell her what a good girl she is. This seems to make her happy and she runs toward me then runs around the yard.

We give Layla one treat for when she poops outside and a different treat when she pees outside. She goes right to her treat closet whenever she has been outside and taken care of her business.

 

[whiskers]

Now, when do you reward him? Right after he finishes or while he is doing it? (I dont want to risk him not finishing because of the rewards)

The reward is after because yes, you want to make sure they finish. When my dogs were being house broken, I would tell them "gooooooood job" as they were going, but then the big party was afterwards. That might have to be tailored for each dog, I would imagine some dogs might get excited and stop if you praise them during.

Also definitely make sure the reward you're using is something he actually finds rewarding. Don't feed him treats and then bring him right back inside... that's no fun. Maybe he wants to play tug or run around the yard for a bit. He might find that more appealing than food rewards.

 

[sonrae]

I am going through the housetraining stage at the moment and it is not fun - agreed! winnie is also not really treat orientated - she does love her food and treats inside, but when outside - well that is far more exciting so what i do now is take her out every hour, 10 mins after food etc ON THE LEASH and wait until she goes - i still make a big deal of her with treats and telling her how good she is but she mostly ignores me as she is sniffing around. when i am satisfied that she has finished - i let her off leash for a run around before bringing her in. If she doesnt go then i bring her back inside on the leash and wait another 15-30 mins and try again. I am going to have trouble when i go back to work as she will not get so many potty breaks but i guess it will just take longer.

 

[BaxterTLR]

Isnt house training fun?

Talking with a fellow Boxer owner, he had a neat idea. What he did for house training was find a food/treat that his Boxer liked the most (american cheese for her) and only gave that to her when she pottied or pooped. She would associate that one great treat with that one thing. So far it seemingly has helped my bud a little (I think).