Puppy cuteness wears off fast if housebreaking becomes frustrating. A lot of old-fashioned ideas and misunderstood training methods cause pet owners trouble when it comes to potty training. In reality you can potty train your puppy fast and easy if you understand the rules and are consistent.
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The Crate
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The right crate is vital to your potty training efforts. Buy a crate that is big enough for your puppy to stand, turn, and lie down in comfortably. If you own a large-breed puppy that will grow considerably you may wish to buy one large crate to save money. If you do, make sure you block off the excess area so your puppy cannot use the entire crate. The concept behind crate training is that puppy will not soil the area he has to sleep in.
Timing
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Timing is everything when potty training a puppy. The process will go fast and smooth if you can stick to a schedule. Do not leave your puppy in the crate for longer than 8 hours at a time. Very young puppies under 8 weeks of age should not be left in a crate for longer than 2 to 4 hours. Your puppy does not have the bladder control for a long stretch. Leaving her in a crate longer than appropriate for her age will force her to eliminate where she sleeps and teach her that is what you want her to do.
Always put your puppy in her crate when you cannot watch her. Take your puppy out of her crate and immediately to the spot you want her to relieve herself the moment you wake up in the morning. If you have been out, remove your puppy from her crate and to the appropriate spot as soon as you return home.
When out of her crate, your puppy will need to potty after playing, sleeping and eating. Always take her right to the area you want her to use and praise her lavishly when she has relieved herself.
Praise and Punishment
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Whenever your puppy has eliminated in the spot you choose, make a big deal over it. Praise him repeatedly and pet and play with him. Make it clear that this is what makes you happy. Punishment rarely works when housebreaking a puppy. Puppies have a very short attention span. If you do not actually catch him in the act of elimination, any scolding you do afterwards, will not be associated with what he did. You will simply confuse your puppy. Rubbing his nose in the mess will aggravate and scare him. If you find a mess after your puppy has left the scene, simply clean it up and continue making sure you are getting him to his spot often enough. When you do catch him in the middle of eliminating, let him know loudly that it is not acceptable. It is not necessary to hit your puppy. Your angry voice will be more than enough. Do not wait for him to finish. Grab him and take him to the area you want him to use.
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