How to Housebreak a Schnoodle

Schnoodles, a hybrid of the poodle and schnauzer, are affectionate and gentle dogs with a good temperament, making for wonderful pets. Training a schnoodle to relieve itself outdoors is very similar to training any type of dog. Despite being highly trainable and intelligent animals, housebreaking a dog takes patience and consistency. It often takes up to six months for puppies to learn proper potty training, while older dogs can pick up the training after a few lessons.

Things You'll Need

  • Small treats
  • Soft towels
  • Pee pads or newspapers
  • Urine cleaner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set a routine. Take the schnoodle outside first thing in the morning, after each meal, nap or playtime and right before bed. If you are not home during the day, take the dog outside in the morning, as soon as you arrive home and before bed.

    • 2

      Make a feeding schedule. Do not leave food out for the dog to eat throughout the day. Feed once in the morning and once in the evening for better judgment of when your dog will need to relieve itself.

    • 3

      Create a designated area outside for the schnoodle to go to the bathroom. Always bring the dog to the same place when you take it outside to pee. It will learn to associate this spot with going to the bathroom. Praise the dog verbally and give a treat every time it relieves itself in the correct area.

    • 4

      Make a blocked-off zone for the untrained dog, such as a kitchen or large bathroom, if you are not home during the day. Place a soft towel on the ground for the puppy to sleep on and scatter newspaper or pee pads in various locations in the room. This prevents the dog from peeing all over the house.

    • 5

      Clean any places the dog urinated thoroughly and immediately. There are many cleaners available at pet stores made specifically for urine. If it can smell the urine, the dog will continue to relieve itself in the same spot.

    • 6

      Look for signs that the dog needs to go outside, such as scratching at the door or whimpering. Take the dog outside right away and praise it verbally and with a treat after it goes to the bathroom.

    • 7

      Do not hit the dog or rub its nose in its waste if it has an accident in the house. A firm "no" immediately after is often sufficient. The dog does not understand what the punishment is for if you wait more than a minute or two after it relieves itself.