Interrupting Housebreaking

If you are housebreaking a puppy, then you have probably heard a million times the importance of keeping a routine. Puppies learn by routine, and any change in schedule may have negative effects on your training efforts.

So, what happens when you have to go on a business trip or out of town for an extended period of time and can’t take your pooch? Training may be setback upon your return, but there are things you can do to minimize your losses.

Interrupting obedience training is not such a big deal. Most of the time, your pet can pick up on things pretty quickly. However, training a puppy can be a completely different monster to tackle. You’ve probably already noticed that even an hour difference in the schedule can make a huge difference on behavior. It’s important that your pup maintains a schedule whether you are home or away.

A few weeks before you leave for your trip (or as soon as you find out about the leave), start planning. You shouldn’t wait until the last minute to try to find a solution to your training dilemma. First decide where your pooch will be staying while you are gone. Are you going to leave him at a kennel, have a pet sitter stop by, or send him to a friend’s house? You should figure out his lodging arrangements early on so that you can adjust his schedule accordingly. If you decide to leave him at a kennel, then contact the kennel and find out what type of schedules they follow. Some places will adhere to a routine created by you, while others use basic shifts. If the kennel does not follow a schedule (i.e., whenever the employee feels like going outside the dogs go outside, too), then try to find one that does. If you plan on hiring a pet sitter, then make arrangements early. Have the sitter commit to specific times of the day when he or she will take care of your pet. If your puppy will stay with a friend, then make note of the friend’s schedule, too: what time does he leave for work? What time does he return home?

Now, depending on which lodging preference you choose, you must adjust your own schedule. Your entire life doesn’t have to flip upside down, but you should transition to the “travel schedule” about two weeks prior to your departure. For instance, if the kennel, sitter, or friend will feed your dog three times a day at specific times each day, then start feeding your dog three times at those times. If the kennel, sitter, or friend plans on taking the dog out for exercise at 7 p.m., then you should try to do the same. It may not be a practical schedule, but it will help your puppy stay on track.

If you find out about your trip at the last minute, then you are in a completely different situation. You have no time to alter your pup’s schedule. If able, try to find a pet sitting or kennel service that will cater to your needs. In some cases, you can provide a specific schedule and the service will follow. Even a kennel that follows a meal and exercise schedule will help your efforts. If something like that is out of the question, then your training may experience a few setbacks. It’s nothing that can’t be undone; it will just take time when you return.

Before you send your pooch off to a new, strange place, make sure he is comfortable. If possible, send him with his own crate. Try to include anything that helps with the training. Familiar objects will help keep him on track.

When you return from your trip, you should slowly ease back into your schedule. Changing things completely the first day, will only reverse the efforts you made while you were away. Let your pup adjust back to the original routine.

An important rule in housebreaking involves keeping a set routine. But, what happens if you have to leave town for a while and can’t keep the schedule? When you find out where your dog is staying, then allow around two weeks prior to his stay to get him ready for the new schedule. When you return, there will be some slippage in training, but your previous efforts won’t be discarded.