Problems Housebreaking a Dog

Housebreaking a new dog is generally easier than most people expect, provided the pet does not have a psychological or medical condition. If you have a house trained dog in the home already, an adult dog or puppy over eight weeks of age often will follow its lead as to where the most acceptable place for them to go is located. If not, you should implement house training immediately on the new dog's arrival, to avoid it soiling the home and the problems and confusion that can result from the occurrence.

  1. Anticipate the Need

    • All dogs, whatever their age, usually need to go when they wake up in the morning and again after they have eaten. Thereafter, puppies under four months will need to go roughly every four hours, while adult dogs should have the opportunity every six to eight hours and again before bedtime.

    Take Dogs Out

    • To ensure your dog uses the right place, take it out the moment it wakes up and stay with it until it goes, then give it praise for having done so. Once you have fed it, take it out again and wait until it has done everything. This could take a little longer, but generally Fido's bowels will need to move after eating. By anticipating its needs like this, you will not give it the chance to soil the house by accident.

    Crate Training

    • Dogs generally avoid soiling their dens, so crate training is a common and effective method of housebreaking. It's important to have the right size of crate, big enough for the dog to stand up and turn around but not big enough for it to soil in one end and sleep in the other, which will defeat the purpose.

    Dealing with Accidents

    • Problems can arise when either the dog or the owner makes a mistake and an accident happens. Avoid the dog eliminating in the house because the scent this leaves will encourage future incidents. Ensuring that your new dog has enough opportunities to go outside will prevent this. However, if it does happen, do not use the old suggestion of rubbing the dog's nose in it. Dogs live by scent, and this will have the effect of reinforcing its belief that the soiled area is the right place to use.

    Don't Use Punishment

    • Reprimanding the dog for an accident -- whether it's the dog's fault or yours -- will simply confuse it, to the point that it might avoid going in front of you and hide its eliminations instead, perhaps in a hidden area of the home, which is even less convenient. Ignore the accident and be more prepared the next time.

    Eliminate the Smell

    • Clean the spot immediately with detergent and water and an effective odor remover, and cordon off the area for a few days so the dog is not tempted to use it again. Use praise and treats to reward it when it goes in the right place outside. Routine is the key, so ongoing anticipation of Fido's needs and positive reinforcement will result in a well-trained, happy dog and owner.