If you adopted a puppy from Dunham Lake Aussie's, your puppy began potty training at 6 weeks. By the time you receive your puppy from us at 12 weeks, he/she is close to being potty trained as well as knowing basic commands.  Here are some tips on how to help you complete the training or if your puppy didn't have any potty training you will need to train your puppy yourself.

The Australian Terriers we have raised and bred were VERY easy to potty train.  That's because we spend hours a day with them, socializing them and begin training them here before they go to their forever home.  If you hear to the contrary it's likely the breeder isn't spending enough time with their puppies.  Consistency is also very important.  If you're having problems with house training your Aussie, give me a call or send me and e-mail and I will try and help you.

All puppies, like wolves, need a den.  Laundry rooms and playpens are too big for a puppy den.  In the wolf den, the mother wolf cleans up the cubs feces until the youngsters are old enough to defecate away from the den.  The cubs learn that the den is a place to keep clean as well as a place of safety and comfort.  The same is true of our dogs today!  The modern-day equivalent of the den is the crate!  Crates provide confinement for security, safety, house-breaking and protection of the household goods, travel or illness.  It is more economical to buy a crate that will accommodate the puppy as an adult. However, when the puppy is small and not potty trained, make the area of the crate smaller, so he doesn't’ decide to use a corner of the crate as a bathroom! Inside the crate, use an old blanket or buy a washable crate pad.

You can enjoy peace of mind when leaving your dog alone, knowing that nothing can be soiled or destroyed and that he is comfortable, safe and not developing bad habits.  You can house break your pet more quickly by using the close confinement to motivate your pet to wait until taken outside, since canines naturally avoid soiling their den.  Simply take the pup outside after each nap or meal.  Do not play with him until he has done his business.  If he hasn’t relieved himself in about 10 minutes, take him back inside and put him in the crate.  Repeat the routine in 10-15 minutes.   Remember, no play until the pup does his business and lots of praise when he gets the idea. 

For the male puppy, think about getting a Belly Band.  It can be purchased at various stores or on-line pet supply companies.  It is lined fabric with elastic and velcro to keep the band in place around the puppy's tummy, but covering his privates.  A puppy pad, or maxi pad is placed in the band and if the puppy does go potty in the house it is less clean up.  The puppy will learn that the belly band comes off when he's outside and goes back on inside, so he will evenually understand not to go potty when the band is on.

General Training Your Aussie

  • It is vital that your dog really loves and respects you, so that you become its “pack leader”. 
  • Serious training should begin when your puppy is 6-8 months and remember that it should be fun for your dog, as well as fun for you too.  Learning about your best friend’s care and training.
  • The Aussie enjoys young and old alike, therefore, does very well in either a nursing home or library setting.  We take our Aussies to our local Nursing Home to visit the elderly, they are always a welcomed site. 
  • Take them with you whenever you can, expose them to many things, people and other animals.  These life experiences make for a well rounded confident and happy dog that you will be so proud of.
  • Aussies are VERY food motivated.  Keep a bowl of treats by your door, and every time your dog "comes" reward him/her.  Do this until you are confident he/she will come.  The come command is very important.  Our puppies at 12 weeks were taught , come, sit and down.  It is very easy to train an aussie, they are very smart, but can be stubborn.

  • NEVER hit your dog!  It only helps YOUR temper.

  • A firm “NO”! And he knows he has sinned.  Training should be a reward for good work.