How to Housebreak Sheltie Puppies

Shelties are an affectionate, loyal and willing-to-please breed of dog. Although they are excellent companion dogs, they may display negative behavior if they feel they are leading the human pack (family), so when training your new sheltie puppy, take calm but firm control. New sheltie puppies can and want to learn quickly, so tasks such as housebreaking can be a simpler process for both of you.

Things You'll Need

  • Newspaper
  • Puppy training pads
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put newspapers or special puppy-training pads on the floor in the house. If you want the puppy to associate going to the bathroom with a certain area of the house, only put pads in that spot.

    • 2

      Praise the sheltie anytime he approaches the pad. Verbal recognition is important to dogs. If the dog appears to be getting ready to go to the bathroom away from the designated spot, pick him up without speaking and gently place him on the pad. If he goes to the bathroom on the pad/newspapers, praise him again.

    • 3

      Move the papers/pad once the dog has begun using them regularly. Place them closer to the front door of the home and let the sheltie get used to the new spot. Use frequent praise.

    • 4

      Remove the newspapers/pad from the home and place a new set outside. When you notice the puppy sniffing around looking for them, pick him up and carry him outside, placing him on the new set, taking care that he doesn't go running off unleashed. Shelties require lots of exercise, which can be a positive association with going outside for the bathroom. When he uses the pads/newspaper, praise him.

    • 5

      Reduce the use of the newspaper/pads (over a short amount of time, fold up the newspaper so it seems smaller or only use one pad) until the puppy simply uses the ground.