Smaller dog breeds mature quicker than larger breeds and are therefore easier to house-train. You may think your puppy is difficult when it comes to potty training, but often accidents are not the dog's fault. If you live in a large house, it will be more difficult to potty train your puppy, because the home offers many potty locations. Allowing your puppy unlimited access to food may also result in housebreaking problems. Proper training, patience and commitment are required when potty training a difficult pup.
Things You'll Need
- Can
- Coins
- Housebreaking pads or newspapers
- Dog treats
- Dog crate
- Blanket
- Chew toy
- Stain and odor remover
Instructions
Stick to a schedule. Feed your puppy at the same times each day and walk it 15 to 30 minutes after each feeding. Walk your dog after play sessions and immediately upon waking up in the morning. Take your dog to the same outdoor potty location each time, because the scent your dog leaves behind motivates it to relieve itself in the same spot.
Keep your puppy on a leash at all times when you take it to its potty location. Certain breeds, such as scent and sight hounds, are easily distracted by fast-moving things like squirrels, rabbits or even cars. They'll forget all about relieving themselves to start chasing the animal. Be firm and determined and don't allow your puppy to run off.
Fence in your backyard and allow your puppy to relieve itself there. The fence will block the puppy's sight, so your puppy is not distracted by traffic, other animals or people and focuses on the task at hand. The fence also helps toy breeds feel safe and secure when relieving themselves. They don't have to worry about large dogs and other outside threats.
Create a command that you only use to indicate to your puppy that it's time to relieve itself. Say "go potty" or "do your business" to get the message across. Your puppy will grow up knowing what the command means and what is expected.
Punish bad behavior. Observe your puppy as much as possible while indoors. If your puppy has an accident, avoid yelling at it or pushing its nose into its waste. This only makes your pup fearful of you. Instead, shake a can filled with coins in your dog's face, immediately after the bad behavior, so it associates the disciplinary action with soiling indoors. Avoid waiting too long after the accident because this only confuses your puppy. Keep repeating the disciplinary action, because difficult to train puppies will have many accidents.
Place housebreaking pads or old newspapers in set areas of the house. When you notice your puppy starts pacing, put it on the pad, so it associates it with relieving itself. Your goal is to have your puppy soil the pad instead of your furniture or carpet. Keep in mind that difficult puppies may have multiple accidents before getting it right.
Reward good behavior. If your puppy relieves itself outdoors or on a housebreaking pad, reward its behavior. Praise it, give it a treat or play with your puppy. Your puppy will associate pleasant consequences with soiling in the location that it did.
Crate-train your puppy. During times when you cannot observe your puppy, place it in a dog crate. Purchase a crate that's big enough to house your pup once it's an adult dog. Avoid purchasing a crate that's too big, because a stubborn puppy may reserve a corner of the crate as a potty area. Place a blanket in the crate and give your puppy a chew toy. Avoid leaving your puppy in the crate for more than four hours because your puppy has a small bladder, and if left in the crate too long, it may be forced to relieve itself.
Clean up accidents in your home. Use a dog stain and odor remover product to eliminate soiled areas. You want to get rid of the scent the dog left behind, because this scent may stimulate your puppy to relieve itself in the same location.