Bright, sociable and friendly, the fluffy Bichon Frise is a descendant of the Water Spaniel and Poodle. Although Bichons are known for being happy and eager to please, they present the same challenges as any young puppy when it comes to housebreaking. Although you can begin housebreaking Bichons at 12 weeks of age, you should not expect them to hold their bladders for more than a few hours before the age of 6 months. Even after the training period, most puppies, Bichons included, won't be reliably housebroken until around their first birthday. Reconsider getting a puppy and look into adopting an older dog if you are frequently gone for more than five hours at a time.
Things You'll Need
- Baby gate
- Enzymatic cleaner
Instructions
Crate your dog. When you leave your house, place your Bichon in his crate. Start by crating him for a few minutes and slowly increase the amount of time as he ages. The crate should be large enough so he can comfortably move around, but small enough so that he isn't tempted to relieve himself in one corner and sleep in the other. Do not crate your dog for more than a few hours at a time, as he will not be able to hold his bladder.
Monitor your dog. Contain your Bichon pup in the same room you are in, wherever that may be, with a baby gate. Prevention is the most effective training tool. If you see her sniffing around for a spot to relieve herself, stop what you're doing and take her outside immediately to do her business. Don't give her free run of the house until you're confident in her housebreaking reliability; you'll only frustrate yourself and confuse your dog.
Be consistent. If you catch your dog in the act, clap your hands loudly to startle him, drop whatever you're doing and take him outside immediately to finish his business. You must take him outside instantly to establish the connection between the yard and his action. Praise him liberally each and every time he does his business outside, even if he did the first half in the house. Your consistent praise teaches him that relieving himself outside is a positive behavior.
Set a schedule. Starting at 5 months old, take your Bichon outside early in the morning, mid-morning, noon, afternoon, dinner time and right before bed. Bichon's younger than 5 months of age will need more frequent breaks. Feed her approximately 20 minutes before her scheduled walk to establish a pattern of eating and then relieving herself outside. Always take her out immediately after you return from somewhere, even if it's off schedule. Take her outside instantly upon returning, not after you check the mail or get a snack. If you wait even a few minutes, her excitement may get the best of her and result in an accident. As she gets older, you will still need to walk her at least three or four times a day.
Clean up any accidents using an enzymatic cleaner. Urine and fecal odors naturally attract your Bichon for future markings. An enzymatic cleaner breaks down the attractive chemical compounds found in excrement and urine so that your puppy is no longer tempted to remark that same spot. Allow the cleaner to soak entirely through the carpet and carpet padding before scrubbing the entire area with a stiff bristle brush. Block your Bichon from entering the affected room until the carpet dries completely.
Neuter your Bichon before six months of age. The hormonal drive of an intact male dog prompts him to "mark" his space frequently and without discrimination. You can housebreak an unneutered Bichon, but the process will take longer and he'll have more "marking" accidents than if he were neutered. Spaying a female dog will not affect her housebreaking progress, although as a responsible dog owner, you should spay her to prevent unwanted litters and mammary tumors.