Housebreaking a Puppy? Not So Adorable Anymore?

By Adam N Jones

Housebreaking a puppy should be your first concern as a new pet owner. There are several ways to housebreak a puppy, but they all take a certain amount of patience. You have to accept the fact that a new puppy is, in some ways, like having a new baby in the house. For a certain amount of time, the puppy will occupy a lot of your time. Once the housebreaking has set in, all you have to do is walk him. Until then, you have to put in some time.

Indoor Method with Newspapers

This is not an ideal method, as your real goal is for the dog to use the outdoors to eliminate. However, it does work, especially for smaller dogs (with larger ones, there will be too much urine for the newspapers to absorb).

Use a small room to use as a temporary space for the puppy to potty. Cover the floor with newspapers. Don't keep the puppy here all the time, but try to figure out when he needs to go. He will usually give signals, such as walking in a circle. Make sure he is on the newspapers at this point, and praise him when he uses this spot. Gradually remove newspapers, until only a spot near the door is covered. Then you finally remove all the newspapers and take him outside.

Using A Crate

Many trainers today believe that a crate is more effective than the newspaper method, because it teaches the puppy to go outside to relieve himself from the beginning. The crate you use to confine him should not be too large, as you don't want him to be able to find a far corner to use as a potty spot. Don't keep the puppy here for more than two hours at a time. Whenever you free him from the crate, take him outside and praise him for using the outdoors to potty.

The Going For Walks Method

With this method, you simply train the puppy from the start to go outside to potty. You have to take him for frequent walks to accomplish this, because a young puppy cannot control himself for very long. Also, like the newspaper method, you have to watch for signals that he needs to go out.

Whichever method you use, remember to thoroughly clean any incorrect area the puppy uses to potty, to remove the scent. Otherwise, he will continue to use this spot. While praise is the best way to encourage him, you can reprimand him for "accidents" but only if you catch him in the act. Your puppy will not remember what he did even five minutes ago, so don't attempt to punish him for something that you haven't seen him do.

Housebreaking a puppy is not difficult; it only takes a patient and consistent approach. Dogs love to please, so once they know what you want, they will do it. It's your job to make your expectations clear.

These are just a few basic tips to get you started in the right direction. They should get him under control so that the real training can start.

Housebreaking a puppy can be a fun and enjoyable experience. You can also lose your mind Housebreaking a puppy if you don't know what you are doing!