Best Way to House Break a Puppy

There's nothing quite like the joy and excitement of having a new puppy in the home. In fact, it often seems as if the pup can do no wrong. Every act and antic is the cutest in the world. That is, until the puppy uses your floor as a toilet. This is an inevitable reality of pet ownership. So too is the task of housebreaking your puppy. If you're patient and committed, however, house training your young dog doesn't have to be a frustrating or onerous task.

Things You'll Need

  • Leash
  • Treats
  • Crate (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach a leash to your puppy's collar and take it to its designated toilet area approximately once every two hours for a bathroom break. Use the same area every time you take the puppy out. The Humane Society of the United States recommends using a command word or words while your pup relieves itself, such as "time to go." Later, you can use this phrase as a gentle reminder to the dog that it's time to use the restroom.

    • 2

      Reward the puppy with an enthusiastic compliment or tasty treat whenever it goes to the bathroom at its designated outdoor spot.

    • 3

      Watch the puppy closely while indoors. If the pup isn't playing or being held, attach a leash to the puppy's collar and tie it to yourself or to a chair or coffee table. This way you can keep an eye on the puppy and grab it quickly if you notice it about to make a mess on your floor.

    • 4

      Take away the puppy's water and food bowl approximately two hours before bed time. During the night, keep the pup in a crate or small, enclosed area. Most puppies should be able to maintain bladder and bowel control for at least seven hours. You may, however, wish to set your alarm early or get up at least once during the night to take the puppy out for a bathroom break.

    • 5

      Clean up any mess the puppy makes in the house. Do not yell at the puppy or rub its nose in the mess. Check your local pet supply store or ask your veterinarian for products specially manufactured to deal with pet-related stains and odors.

    • 6

      Continue until your puppy no longer has any accidents indoors, but rather holds it until the bathroom break or lets you know that it needs to go outside. Depending on the breed, housebreaking may take up to several weeks to complete.