Puppy Housebreaking Techniques

Puppies are adorable and entertaining; not many people can resist the furry snuggles or the sweet puppy breath. The love starts to fade, however, when your puppy eliminates on the new carpeting or relieves itself on your favorite shoes. Housebreaking a puppy can be done fairly quickly and with minimal accidents, as long as the owner remains positive and consistent.

  1. Before You Begin

    • Puppies need continuous supervision. Set up an area that is just for your puppy in a crate or a blocked-off area of the house. This will be your puppy's nighttime sleeping area and where it hangs out when you cannot supervise it. You will also need a decent leash and a designated elimination spot outside. The pup will learn faster with consistency.

    Schedule

    • Set up a potty schedule to teach your dog when it is appropriate to do his business. A typical schedule will include taking out your puppy every two to three hours on a leash. When it finishes, give verbal praise and wait another few minutes to ensure that it is done. A puppy often does not realize when it is finished; then, when you take it back inside, there will be an accident. Waiting the extra few minutes lessens the chance of an accident.

    Tips and Tricks

    • At times, the dog will show no interest in eliminating. When that happens, bring the puppy inside; place it in its area and do not let it wander around. Wait 15 to 20 minutes; then take the puppy out again. Important bathroom times for a puppy are first thing in the morning, 15 minutes after meals or drinking, after naps and after playing. Some puppies get so involved in play that a full bladder is ignored until it is too late.

    Accidents

    • When the pup is caught in the act inside, make a noise to startle but not scare it. This is a signal to interrupt the unwanted behavior. Take the puppy to its bathroom spot outside; if the pup continues outside, give it praise and a treat. If an accident occurs, do not rub the puppy's nose in it; this only makes it afraid and a little secretive about where it next relieves itself.

    Considerations

    • Housetraining is time-consuming and tedious but worth the effort. If, after two months of consistent training, the puppy is still eliminating indoors more than outside, have your vet check for any medical conditions. Consider hiring a certified professional dog trainer to learn how to establish leadership within the household.