Never Work with Dogs or Children
People who have neither pets nor babies often cite the same reason for avoiding both — the mess. It's natural, of course, to be squeamish about urine and feces. They can stain fabrics, cause unpleasant odors, and even present health risks. But there's good news: just as human babies tend to grow out of their messy phase, so too will your dog or cat — albeit with some substantial help from you.
We're going to look at shifting trends in how we think of the process of housetraining — starting with the word itself.
Punishment vs. Pride
As the role of cats and dogs has changed in human society, from a working relationship to one of companionship, there's been a clear shift in our attitudes towards modification of animal behavior. The change has been remarkable and swift, and it shows in our choice of language. Not so long ago, the common term was houseBREAKING. There's an implicit violence in that word; the unspoken assumption was that the animal's inherent behavior was something to be eradicated, often by harsh means. In other words, the process was (and sometimes still is) viewed in adversarial terms, as a battle of wills. The underlying assumption is that the pet is being disobedient, even spiteful, by engaging in inappropriate toileting behavior.
The response could be severe. It was routine to swat a puppy with a rolled-up newspaper when it made a mess, or even to rub its nose in its own feces. It was a punishment-based approach, and it worked — to a degree. The pet would learn to associate indoor elimination with punishment; but it might also extend that association to the eliminative urge itself, sometimes with terrible repercussions to its health — chronic constipation leading to intestinal blockages, even damage to the sinuses. Equally damaging were the effects on the dog’s psyche; the constant threat of violence could make animals skittish, secretive, even vicious.
House TRAINING, on the other hand, works with the animal's ingrained instincts. Human and animal are assumed to be partners in the common task of keeping their shared dwelling clean. There’s a strong evolutionary basis for this. Dogs and cats instinctually defecate and urinate away from their dens. Cats, as is well-known, will bury their feces; many dogs show remnants of a similar urge, scratching and pawing the ground after voiding. House training depends on creating a positive reinforcement between the need to evacuate and being out-of-doors or in an approved area like a litter box. It works by directing and shaping an animal's inborn tendencies — by cooperation, rather than domination.
All In This Together
As a cooperative effort, housetraining demands a greater level of patience and sensitivity than the old punitive approach. It is a time-consuming process — a new puppy will require more or less constant supervision for months as he learns to channel his eliminative urges to appropriate venues — and it may necessitate having your rugs cleaned once or twice. But it results in a pet who is physically and psychologically healthier, better-adjusted, more self-sufficient, and less prone to dangerous bowel and bladder conditions. And when you’re gaining a best friend for life, that’s a fine bargain.
Author Resource:
Jack Feerick is an editor with PurelyDogBeds.com – your source for dog beds and more
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