Housebreaking Techniques

As the proud owner of a new dog, one of your first responsibilities is to housebreak the pup so that it doesn't leave smelly and unsanitary messes in your house. You might dread this task, but housetraining doesn't have to be torture for you or for your dog. Techniques based on the positive reinforcement method of training can help you potty train your dog quickly and easily.

  1. Confine and Supervise

    • Housebreaking your dog quickly requires you to catch your dog in the act, so you should always keep an eye on your untrained dog when you are home. Close the door so that it stays in the room with you, or attach it to a leash nearby if you are busy with dishes or watching a movie. When you leave the house for short periods (no more than a few hours at a time), put your dog in a crate. Dogs are rarely comfortable soiling where they sleep, so crating your dog helps to eliminate messes while you are away. A crate should have enough room for your dog (when it is a fully grown adult) to stand up and turn around in, but it should not be big enough for the dog to soil one end and sleep in the other.

    Use a Leash

    • When you start to housebreak your dog, walk it out into the yard on a leash. There are two advantages to this technique. The first is that it allows you to show your dog to a particular spot in the yard. It can learn to do its business only in this corner, which makes the messes easier for you to clean up. The second advantage is that this allows you to teach your dog the difference between playtime and potty time. When you walk your dog in the yard, encourage it to "go potty." This is a verbal cue that you will use every time you let your dog outside.

    Interrupt, Don't Punish

    • Punishing your dog for having accidents in the house can have unintended consequences. Among these are fear of you, fear of going potty when you are near or even fear of going potty at all. Fear can lead to behavior problems such as aggression. If you don't catch your dog in the act, you can't correct the behavior. If you find a mess, simply clean it up without a fuss. If you do see your dog having an accident, clap or whistle to interrupt it. When it stops and looks at you, take it outside immediately and encourage it to "go potty." Stay calm and don't show frustration or anger with your dog. It doesn't know any better yet, and your job is to teach it.

    Reward, Reward, Reward

    • The emphasis in positive reinforcement training techniques is rewarding your dog for a job well done. Keep plenty of treats accessible so that you can reward your dog throughout the housebreaking process. Each and every time your dog does its business in the yard, reward it with praise, a pat or scratch and a tasty treat. This applies to trips you make outside on the leash, hurried trips into the yard after interrupting an accident and each time your dog takes a moment to potty during outdoor playtime. One of the advantages of positive reinforcement training is that it allows you to teach your dog what you want it to do. If it knows what is expected of it, it won't become confused or fearful, and it will be much less likely to potty in inappropriate places in the future.