by K.C. Jean Kellam

Created on: December 02, 2008

The most effective and positive house training method available for your dog is one practiced and taught by the Monks of New Skete, a monastery located in New Skete. New York.

Since the 1960's, acommunity of monks, nuns, and companions of New Skete have dedicated their time and talents to perfecting training and breeding methods that require good bonding between pet owner and pet, and positive reinforcement.

Specializing in German Shepards, they have worked with literally hundreds of dogs and improved not only their breed of choice, but also developed house training programs with excellent and quick results. Working with your dog's natural instincts and developing a distinct, basic understanding of each other's role is identified and explained by the monks as essential in any training method. It is also their practiced belief that training should never end with your pet and whatever schedules, routines, etc. you establish should be early and a routine you are willing to commit to as well.

Their approach is simple and uses crate training to establish basic "house laws" as soon as you bring a pup home or to train an older dog. By utilizing a crate that is a proper size for your dog and routine methods, many off the household accidents can be clearly avoided and developing a schedule early on is also a benefit of the New Skete concepts. This same pattern should be applied to eating times, and though water should always be given liberally to a dog, it should be pulled up at night with time for your pet to relieve themselves during their last potty break before bed. While crate training seems most difficult to dogs who have not been introduced as youngsters, they can also be trained with patience using this method.

Most of the time, it is the pet owner, frustrated while their pet adjusts to a new, more disciplined routine, but the frustrations and time are well worth the outcome for a pet that soils in the house and has bad house habits. Many pet owners with the best foot find themselves giving their beloved dog up for sale or adoption because of failed house training methods and bad behaviors that can be easily corrected with the right training program. You should find that the approach has been given the best foot forward, allowing at least three weeks for new habits to develop and old ones to be broken. If not, seek the advice of your veterinarian or contact your local kennel club for more information on programs available on house training your pet.

More information on the Monks of New Skete and their training programs can be found at www.newsketemonks.com

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