How to Housebreak a Pug

Pugs are small dogs in the Toy dog group. Pugs have been popular pets for many years as they are natural entertainers and love the company of people. As with all small dogs, housebreaking can take quite a while. Do not be surprised if your pug is not fully house trained until it is six months old. Some may take even longer than six months. Pugs learn best from reward-based training and should never be harshly punished for doing something wrong.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog crate or puppy pen
  • Healthy dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select an area for a play pen or crate. This should be in an area where people gather, such as the kitchen, but the crate should not be obstructive. Pugs are naturally clean animals and will not soil their bed on purpose. By placing the pug in a crate, you are teaching it to hold its need to eliminate until it is let out. No pug should be crated for long periods---if you wish to control its movements around the house until it is housebroken, you will need to use a dog pen instead.

    • 2

      Look out for signs of wanting to eliminate from your pug. These are likely to be sniffing the ground, walking in circles or looking distracted. Young pugs will need to go to the bathroom at least every hour---especially after eating, drinking, sleeping, playing and walking. If you miss a sign and your pug messes on the floor, do not punish him, as this can be counter productive. Instead, quickly clean the area with an anti-pet smell detergent. Do not try to use a normal washing liquid---although the area may smell fresh to you, the pug's nose is quite sensitive and will still be able to smell the mess. If it can smell the old mess, it may think it's alright to relieve itself in the same area once again.

    • 3

      Pick up your pug and take it outside to your preferred toilet area as soon as it looks like it might need to eliminate. You need to be vigilant with this and try guess when it will need to go so that you are prepared. As soon as your pug goes to the toilet in the correct place, give him plenty of praise and affection and healthy treats so that it knows it has done something very good. Eventually it will make the connection that going to the bathroom outdoors is the proper thing to do.