Pet Articles
Puppy Housebreaking 101
Author: Chrissie Cole
Many people are hesitant to get a new puppy out of fear of the
housebreaking process. While the puppy housebreaking process can
be consuming it doesn’t have to be hard if you follow the tips
we have outlined for you below.
Housebreaking your puppy is best started with puppies are
six-sixteen weeks in age. When puppies are this young, they tend
to go to the bathroom predictably and frequently. The earlier
you start the housebreaking process, the happier you will be as
a new dog owner!
The most important tip for successful puppy housebreaking is
“Persistence is the key”.
1– First, you need to teach your puppy where you want him to go
to the bathroom. Your puppy will not know where to go if you
don’t show him. Therefore, he won’t know if he went in the wrong
spot. We suggest starting the housebreaking process outside.
Many people tend to paper train and in essence you are making
the training process harder for you and may end having to
retrain him.
2- Praise is essential in the puppy housebreaking process. It
will make him feel more confident when you praise him with a
treat or pat on the back for a job well done – not messing in
the house! While mistakes can and will happen and you may get
frustrated – it is very important to not punish your dog, yell
or swat him if he has an accident in the house.
3- Be aware of your puppies eating and bathroom habits this will
help you get him out side in time to prevent any accidents in
the home. Puppies usually have to urinate upon waking up; don’t
delay taking him outside upon starting his day. Puppies also
defecate regularly after each meal – usually within twenty
minutes from eating. Pay attention to your puppy, he will give
you signals he has to go out but you have to be in tune with
them. These signs include restless circling, squatting and
sniffing.
Never carry your puppy outside! You should choose a command to
signal him it is time to go outside and that should be the
command you always use – puppies like and need a routine that
they will become familiar with. When he makes it out the door
and does finish his business, praise him – puppies also love
attention and affection, let him know he did a good job for his
master!
4- Some days will be harder than others but if he makes a
mistake in the house, try to ignore it the first time. Yelling
at him or swatting him will only make the training process
harder for you and your dog scared! Avoid negativity at all
cost. Again, we know this might be hard after a day at the
office and dealing with the kids but you will be thankful later!
5 – If you will be leaving your puppy alone for a couple of
hours, barricade off a corner of the house or use a dog crate
but don’t just leave him free to roam the house! Puppies usually
will not toilet the area in which they sleep.
Take your puppy outside right before putting him in the crate
and then take him outside again immediately upon returning home.
Don’t leave any water down on the floor while in this
housebreaking process, if you are gone too long he may not be
able to help it and have to go. Do make sure to leave him plenty
of toys to keep him busy.
A crate can be a very helpful training tool for your dog while
in the training process and not wanting to give him full reign
of the house just yet. This will happen over time. But remember
along with bathroom accidents, puppies like to chew and they
will chew anything in their path if they are able to reach it
and you aren’t there to tell him “No!”
In closing, Praise your puppy and set him up on a routine, the
end result will be a happy dog and a happy dog lover!
About the author:
Chrissie Cole Owner of Indulge Your Pet - a
site dedicated to providing information and resources for dog
lovers, cat
lovers and horse
lovers.
