Housebreaking
The goal to housebreaking your new puppy is to teach the puppy where you want him to eliminate as soon as possible. Your job is to discourage the use of a corner of the dining room by encouraging the use of the great outdoors. Puppies will usually look for an out-of-the-way spot. Learn to recognize your puppy's behavioral signals when he/she begins looking for an indoor bathroom spot so both you and your puppy can head for the door immediately.
- Plan to accompany your puppy outside so you can praise him.
- Little puppies will need to go outside about every 2 or 3 hours.
- Puppies usually need to eliminate soon after eating and immediately after waking from a nap.
- Be sure to take the puppy outside just before bedtime.
- For the first couple of weeks, your puppy may need to go outside during the night.
Take the puppy outside frequently for the first few weeks and use the crate for naps and at night. Dogs are basically clean animals. They do not want to eliminate where they eat, sleep or play. Be prepared to take the puppy out immediately.
Reducing the area of the house that your puppy has free access to with baby gates, closed doors and crates will help the training process. Also, try to use the same door each time you take the puppy outdoors to the area in the yard you want to train him/her to use. Your puppy will learn to go to that door to be let outside. Remember to be patient and to use lots of praise.
Please, do not rub the dog's nose in excrement. This action is upsetting and confusing to your puppy. If you catch your puppy eliminating in the house, a simple, harsh "NO" is more productive in the long run. Take the puppy outside immediately when he makes a mistake.
Clean up after accidents as soon as possible. There are several good clean-up products on the market. Dilute Clorox is often adequate. Do not use ammonia products since the smell is similar to the smell of urine. Puppies tend to go back to the same spot if the area is not cleaned thoroughly.