When we discuss dog toilet training in association with the health of the dog, we often think of the physical health of the dog.
There's a good reason for this.
Improper dog toilet training can pose a sanitary hazard to both pet and owner.
However, there is mental health issues associated with improperly toilet training a dog.
After all, we do not want to break a dog out of bad toilet habits and instill serious fear towards the owner as a result.
Yet, there are those people who still prescribe to archaic methods of training a dog.
That is, they are the buffoons who think that hitting a dog with a rolled up a newspaper will somehow make the dog behave.
Well, the dog will behave but it will behave for the same reason human being would behave if he were abused.
The dog will behave because it is terrified of it's owner's aggressive behavior.
Now, how much love or companionship will you get from a dog that is fearful of you? Instead, there are much better ways that can be employed to properly toilet train a dog.
These methods will leave no negative effect on the dog's mental health.
For example, if a dog is displaying the signs of having to go to the bathroom such as a running around in circles it is best to take the dog outside immediately.
Then, wait for the dog to do its business.
Afterwards, pet the dog on the head.
The positive reinforcement will yield the best results.
Punishment generally doesn't work; at least not in any effective way that will remove a sense of fear.
This does not mean that exclaiming "stop" when the dog is about to go in the house will terrify it.
After all, there really is no pain associated with a little voice raising.
(Side note: a firm voice does not mean yelling and screaming.
This is another self-defeating tactic that does little more than instill fear in the dog.
As such, it should be avoided.
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