Accidents
Accidents will happen.
Dogs who have pottied successfully outside may be loose in the house 15 to 20 minutes initially. But watch them for pre-elimination behaviour. They can be loose longer - but you need to keep on top of this by observing the dog closely and taking them out frequently.
Presume they will:
- Get into everything
- Chew everything
- Drag around all dirty laundry (especially dirty underwear)
- Attempt to eat anything found on the floor or in the trash (bottle caps, paper, q-tips, etc.)
- Piddle unabashedly and suddenly if they feel the urge.
So supervise closely.
Also take advantage of any appropriate behaviour by supplying a Reward Mark and Food Treats. Examples might be:
- Sitting and looking at you
- Playing gently with toys interactively with owner
- Lying chewing on own toy
- Lying down, period
Make sure the pup is receiving attention for behaviour you want repeated in the future.
After a brief period of Liberty in the house, the pup/dog is returned to the crate with yummies and special toys, such as a stuffed Kong or sterilized bone with a hollow middle for a couple of hours. (Stuff the hollow toys with squeeze cheese or seal in some Ribble with peanut butter, etc.)
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