Housebreaking

Consistency is critical. Creating a daily routing for a puppy in training will go a long way in creating consistency in the behavior. For example, feeding the puppy at the same time every day, taking the puppy potty through the same door every day, and going to the same spot to potty every time.

Establishing a housebreaking routine for a puppy should begin the day you bring the puppy home. It is the owner's responsibility to be sure the puppy eliminates in the correct area. An effecive method is the use of a crate. Properly done, crate training can be an important tool for housebreaking.

A crate should be 1 & 1/2 times the length of the dog's body (not counting the tail) and long enough for him to stand up in comfortably. Too large a crate will allow the puppy to urinate in one corner and lie in another. Place the crate in a quiet, but well trafficked part of the house.

While the crate is an excellent tool, it should never be used as punishment. Consider the dog's age, temperament, emotional and physical state before determining the length of time the dog is to be crated. Puppies should not be crated longer in hours than the number of months old they are +1. (For example, a six month old puppy should not be confined for more than 7 hours.)

In the evening make sure that you give your puppy his last food and water 3 to 4 hours prior to bedtime. When you are ready to go to bed and the house will be dark and quiet, take the tired puppy out to eliminate. Take him to the crate, place him in it, give him a new chew toy, turn out the lights and go to bed. (You may want to keep the crate in your bedroom until he is properly crate trained so you can quiet him if he is fussing or complaining or so you can take him out if he needs to eliminate.)

Take into consideration the puppy's age and the housebreaking schedule to determine if he needs to go out in the middle of the night. You do not want to let him out of the crate if he's just complaining about being in the crate. That will teach him that if he cries enough you will eventually let him out. If he starts to fuss and complain and you are sure that he doesn't need to eliminate, just ignore him.

Remember; do not put him to bed in the crate if the rest of the household is still up.

General Housebreaking Guidelines

Don't punish a dog for housebreaking accidents. It is counter-productive and may teach the dog some other unwanted behavior.

It is important to clean up accidents with an odor neutralizing product like Nature's Miracle.

When housebreaking, take the puppy out immediately after each of the following events: waking up, getting up from resting, drinking water, eating, playing, training and actively sniffing.

No matter what your day to day schedule, try to keep the day similar. Don't have two totally different schedules on weekdays and weekends.

Remember, consistency is KEY!