Information on How to House Train a Dog

Ideally, your dog should begin house-training at about six weeks old. If you are purchasing a purebred puppy, ask the breeder about his house-training methods and schedule. Consistency is important in any type of dog training, so building on what your puppy has already learned shortens the house-training process. If you have an older puppy or adult dog, you may have to start from scratch. With patience and motivation, any dog can learn where he should and should not eliminate.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
  • Leash
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Instructions

    • 1

      Designate a toilet area for your dog. Most people choose an outdoor location, but some people prefer to use an indoor option, such as a puppy pad, litter box or indoor grass box. Most dogs eliminate in the same area repeatedly. Look for a pattern in your dog's chosen location and make this his designated toilet area if practical.

    • 2

      Take your dog outside or to his indoor designated area every 10 minutes or so until he eliminates. Praise him and reward him with treats or play immediately. You may have to repeat this process dozens of times per day at first, and it is best to take him out on a leash so he does not confuse bathroom time with play time. Use a verbal cue, such as "outside" or "go potty" to help your dog make the association with desirable elimination habits. If you crate your dog, take him directly to his toileting area immediately upon removing him from his crate, every time. Many people find crate training helpful in house-training because it takes advantage of a dog's instinct to not soil in his "den." The crate should never be used for punishment, and the dog should not be left in the crate without a toilet break for more than a few hours at a time.

    • 3

      Phase out the use of treats as a reward once your dog goes two weeks without an accident. You should still praise his desirable toilet habits frequently for the first several months, and reward him with treats or play occasionally, but not every time. Eventually, his behavior should become an ingrained habit rather than a means for him to receive a reward.

      When your dog has an accident and eliminates in an undesirable location, it is very important not to scold or punish him, and never rub his nose in the mess. Doing so will cause him to create a negative association with your presence.

      If you catch him in the act, redirect him immediately with his verbal cue and take him to his designated area. If you find the mess after the fact, clean the area thoroughly and use an odor-eliminating product to discourage him from using that area again.