Ten Commandments of Housebreaking Puppies

The ten commandments of housebreaking a dog can be summed up in two guidelines---praise a good performance, and maintain consistency with your training. Even old dogs can learn the new trick of relieving themselves outdoors with this tried and true formula. Dogs thrive on praise, perhaps more than any other creature. Housebreaking a dog also requires developing a pattern of behavior so your pooch isn't confused about expectations.

  1. Establish a Routine

    • Feed and walk your dog at the same time every day. Choose the most convenient time for you---early morning, late afternoon or right after your evening dinner.

    Do Not Deviate from the Program

    • Stick with the routine as much as possible, even on weekends. Doing so teaches a puppy to expect food and exercise at a certain time each day. It reinforces a schedule in its mind for important activities.

    Limit Access to the House

    • Confine your puppy for short periods of time to an enclosed room or crate when you're not with it, as doing so teaches the puppy how to be alone. This will help prevent separation anxiety as the dog grows older and you're away from home for hours at a time.

    Go Outdoors for Bathroom Breaks

    • Take the puppy outside first thing in the morning, after eating, after an afternoon nap and after a long play session. Many cell phones are equipped with alarm clocks, which can serve as a useful reminder to schedule bathroom breaks throughout the day.

    Determine a Realistic Schedule

    • Figure the number of hours your puppy can hold its bladder as its age in months plus one, for up to 8 months old. For example, if your puppy is 3 months old, allow three plus one (or four) hours between breaks. That means you may need to get up once during the night with your puppy for the first few months of its life. However, when this training method is used, your dog will likely sleep the entire night once it reaches 8 months old. Adult dogs often are able to hold their bladders for eight or more hours during the day, too, and will alert you when they need to go outside. During bitter cold months, you may resort to using potty pads, which can be purchased at a pet supply store, instead of going outside. They should be used in exceptional situations, however, and not every day.

    Reward Good Behavior

    • Praise your puppy lavishly when it delivers a spot-on performance. Nothing evokes positive behavior in both man and beast like the feeling of doing a task right.

    Stay Cool and Collected

    • Remain calm yet assertive when the puppy messes up, which undoubtedly will happen on occasion.

    Do Not Punish Physically

    • Never hit or excessively scold your puppy for having an accident, as doing so could lead to instability or behavioral problems later.

    Correct with Positive Actions

    • If you catch him or her mid-event, simply say "no" and pick it up and bring it outside to finish.

    Clean Up Messes Indoors

    • Thoroughly remove any trace of a scent left from an accident so your puppy won't return to the scene of the crime and be tempted to re-offend.