How to Housebreak a Pound Puppy

No matter what breed of puppy you have purchased or where you have acquired the new member of your family, all puppies need to be potty trained. Training your puppy to go to the bathroom outside will allow you to leave the animal at home longer without supervision.

Things You'll Need

  • Puppy training pads
  • Puppy treats
  • Crate
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put the puppy training pads onto the floor and keep them there. These pads are specifically for dogs to pre-train them. When a dog is ready to go to the bathroom, they sniff around the floor looking for the perfect spot. When you see this happening, pick your pup up and place him or her directly onto the training pad. When the puppy has gone to the bathroom, praise them with puppy treats. Once the puppy is trained on the training pads, place the pads outside to encourage the training there.

    • 2

      Set up a dog crate. The crate should be able to hold a dog bed and little more--this is because a dog will not want to go to the bathroom on their own bedding. Therefore, they train themselves to wait until they are let out. Before putting the puppy into the crate, let him outside to go to the bathroom. Right when you take him out of the crate, let him outside again. This is one of the most effective potty training methods. Always remember to reward the puppy after every time he goes to the bathroom outside.

    • 3

      Use verbal cues. Agree with everyone in the family on a specific word to use with the puppy that will refer to letting him outside to go to the bathroom (example: "outside" or "potty"). When you see the puppy looking like he needs to go to the bathroom ask "outside?" then take him to the door and let him out saying "outside." Doing this consistently will be a verbal cue for the puppy. When he comes to you and you say "outside," he will get excited and run to the door letting you know he needs out.