How to Train Your Big Dog to Be Inside
Introduction
Big dogs outside have big barks. Your large dog may enjoy being outside. But he also may intimidate the neighbors, small children around the neighborhood, or smaller dogs next door. If staying in your backyard or running free might be more appealing to your dog then lying around your living room, training him to be an inside dog might take some time. But once your big guy is used to being in the house, he'll find comfort there as well. If you're living in an apartment or a townhouse with close neighbors, you need to be able to teach your dog to be inside without being miserable enough to bark all day there as well. This is a simple training, giving him safe spaces where he can find comfort just as he does when he's outside. Your large breed dog may also be very protective of your space and the people in your home.
Defining Tasks
Some dogs believe they can protect better from the outside. Teaching him that his role is to be inside will also help him want to be inside the house. To give him this control for protecting your house, you can start by giving him small areas in the house to protect or to call his own. Doing this will ease him into wanting to be in the space you have assigned to him. You can do this by keeping him on a leash in the house so he has the feeling of being outside. At first, if you are using a leash for indoor training, you may need to take the big dog outside when he sees the leash because he may be used to being out on a leash. Make this a quick trip outside, and when you get back in just don't take the leash off of him. Leave it on so he feels like he's still on duty when he's in the house and has the power to do his job. Another thing you will need to focus on is creating this space that is his. His space should have his belongings, his comforts, and give him a reason to want to be indoors instead of outside.
Getting Started
To convince your dog to be inside all the time you're going to need a leash, lots of lovey toys, a comfortable bed, and some treats. If you give your dog treats inside of some fun toys, he can associate playtime with inside as well. If your dog wants to be out to watch the world revolve around him and protect the center of his universe then assign him to a special room where you keep his belongings and where are you with your family.
The Comfort Leash Method
The Special Place Method
The Protective Dog Method
Written by Stephanie Plummer
Published: 12/15/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
More articles by Stephanie Plummer
Success Stories and Training Questions
Training Questions and Answers
Mamash
She’s never been indoors loves to have a lot of attention, smell, bite, cuddle and explore
833 Dog owners recommended
Hello Christopher, I would begin with the same types of things you would work on with a puppy - crate training, potty training, basic commands like Leave It, Place, Sit, and Down, and a regular routine for pup. Check out the Crate Training method from the article linked below. Make sure that the crate doesn't have anything absorbent in it - including a soft bed or towel. Check out www.primopads.com if you need a non-absorbent bed for her. Make sure the crate is only big enough for her to turn around, lie down and stand up, and not so big that she can potty in one end and stand in the opposite end to avoid it. Dogs have a natural desire to keep a confined space clean so it needs to be the right size to encourage that natural desire. Use a cleaner that contains enzymes to clean any previous or current accidents - only enzymes will remove the small and remaining smells encourage the dog to potty in the same location again later. The method I have linked below was written for younger puppies, since your dog is older you can adjust the times and take her potty less frequently. I suggest taking her potty every 3 hours when you are home. After 1.5 hours (or less if she has an accident sooner) or freedom out of the crate, return her to the crate while her bladder is filling back up again until it has been 3 hours since her last potty trip. When you have to go off she should be able to hold her bladder in the crate for 5-7 hours - less at first while she is getting used to it and longer once she is accustomed to the crate. Only have her wait that long when you are not home though, take her out about every 3 hours while home. You want her to get into the habit of holder her bladder between trips and not just eliminating whenever she feels the urge and you want to encourage that desire for cleanliness in your home - which the crate is helpful for. Less freedom now means more freedom later in life. Crate Training method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside If she is not already used to a crate expect crying at first. When she cries and you know she doesn't need to go potty yet, ignore the crying. Most dogs will adjust if you are consistent. You can give her a food stuffed hollow chew toy to help her adjust and sprinkle treats into the crate during times of quietness to further encourage quietness. Down https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Sit https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-sit Stay https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Place https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Out - which means leave the area https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It - leave it method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Was this experience helpful?
We just moved into a new house and our dog does not want to stay inside. She barks, pants, and walks back and forth crying to be let outside. We are okay with her being outside during the day, but would like her to come in at night and throughout the day to get attention and food. She has never behaved this way in our previous homes. I have her bed, food, and treats inside, but she still doesn't want to be inside. It was raining last night so I tried to keep her insight but she spent 7 hours (8pm - 3am) pacing back and forth and crying. The new house has wood floors and we are wondering if she doesn't like the floors? We just ordered rugs so hopefully that will be more comfortable for her paws. Any help with adjusting to the new house and getting her comfortable would be greatly appreciated.
225 Dog owners recommended
Hello there. The hardwood floor could be an issue. One thing I suggest is to keep her confined to a smaller space. When anxious, dogs will pace and work themselves up and then spiral for hours. The more space, the more they can pace and get worked up. So if you have a smaller bedroom, laundry room, or other space you can leave her in, that would be ideal for the next few weeks while she adjusts. Feed her in there, and make it comfortable with her bed and toys. Dogs can sometimes take up to a month to adjust to any sort of transition. Just support her the best you can during this time. She will start to come around!
Add a comment to Molly's experience
Was this experience helpful?
You May Also Like
Add a comment to Mamash's experience