Training Tips for Housebreaking a Dog

Housebreaking a dog---no matter what their age, breed or gender---can be a difficult task, especially if the owner is unprepared. A little research and a basic understanding of what's necessary can go a long way when training a dog to defecate and urinate in a specific area.

  1. Consistency with Location and Method

    • When housebreaking a dog, it is important to remain consistent with the method chosen as well as the location. If the owner chooses to potty train the dog by taking him outside but then changes her mind and decides to paper train instead, it can result in serious confusion for the dog, which in turn can disrupt the entire housebreaking process.

    Bathroom Schedule

    • Creating a schedule for housebreaking a dog can be extremely beneficial. In general, puppies should be taken out based on their age. According to the Humane Society of the United States, for every one month of a puppy's age, he can control his bladder for the same number of hours. For example, a 2-month-old puppy should be let out at least every two hours, whereas a 5-month-old puppy should be let out at least every five hours.

    Morning, Evening, Meal Time and Play Time

    • Along with consistency, it is important to take the dog out first thing in the morning, as well as just before going to bed. Janet Wall of the Love Your Dog website also adds that it's best to take a dog outside just after eating his meal or following play time.

    Visual Cues

    • Owners should learn to recognize their dog's behavior cues that indicate the need to eliminate. This can include sniffing the ground or circling just before the dog urinates or defecates.

    Reacting to an Accident

    • It is inevitable that every dog will have an accident. However, if the owner does not catch the dog in the act, he should not punish the dog. This is because the dog will not understand why it is being punished, since it was not currently committing the act that caused it to be punished.

    Crate Training

    • Many owners, veterinarians and trainers alike will swear by crate training. By using a crate, the dog learns not to soil in the area where it sleeps and learns to recognize that the home is where its owners sleep and therefore urinating or defecating indoors is unacceptable. Though crate training may not be for every owner, it is important to remember that an owner who chooses to use a crate for training must remember to remain consistent in using the crate.

    Housebreaking an Older Dog

    • There are many tips on how to housebreak a puppy, and owners should keep in mind that training an older dog is generally the same. For example, an owner who adopts a dog that is a few years old from a shelter should keep in mind that they can use the same potty training methods as if their dog were still a puppy. Remain consistent and give the dog a designated schedule for eliminating. It may be ideal to start out with an hourly break and work up to a few hours or an entire afternoon.