How to Give Positive Reinforcement Housebreaking a Puppy

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Put your puppy in front of the door that will be used primarily to let him out. Puppies and dogs love consistency. Start with a routine and do not deviate from it.
Step 2:
Open the door and use a command phrase that you will use every time, such as "Go Potty." If your puppy will not walk out, pick her up and carry her out. Place her on the ground and let her go on her own time. It will not be long. If you do not have a fenced in area, put your puppy on a leash every time you take her outside.
Step 3:
Cheer and make a big production when your puppy uses the bathroom outside. Your neighbors might look at you funny, but your puppy will instantly know you are pleased with him. Dogs instinctively want to please their masters and will repeatedly do what they have figured out pleases you.
Step 4:
Make a verbal correction when your puppy has an accident in the house. A simple stern "No" is enough. Immediately take your puppy to the door, give the command to use the bathroom and take her outside. Immediately cheer and praise your puppy for going potty outside.
Step 5:
Repeat this process each day until your puppy is consistently going to the indicated door to let you know he needs to be let out. The general rule of thumb is that a puppy can last only an hour for every month in age in between outings. This means that a 3-month old puppy will need to be let out at least every 3 hours.

Tips & Warnings

You may use treats to complement your verbal praise. They should not be used every single time. You do not want your dog going out with the expectation of getting a treat, because once the treats stop, the indoor accidents will start. These treats should be small and soft and quickly and easily consumed.
You should expect to get up often in the middle of the night to let your puppy out. If this is something that you simply cannot do, consider tethering a short leash to a wall where the puppy will be sleeping. This should allow very little room for your puppy to roam. Puppies will normally not use the bathroom where they are sleeping. Just be sure to take your puppy outside one last time before putting him down for the night.
Do not let the outdoor training be a time for play. Play time and potty training should be kept separate. Your puppy needs to know that there is only one reason for going outside at this time, and he needs to associate his urge to use the bathroom with going outside.

More Puppy Pages

How to Train a Dog to Hold It

InstructionsThings You’ll Need:Metal or plastic crateCrate dividers (optional)Treats or toys your dog lovesTraining word, such as "kennel" or "bed"Fenced backyard or leash and collarHow to Train a Dog to "Hold It"Step 1:Choose a crate. Pick a crate...

Instructions Things You’ll Need: Dog crate (a small one while the dog is a puppy, medium-sized when she is an adult) Leash Doggy door (optional) Step 1: Start crating your Bichon as soon as possible. Put him in the crate when you aren't home or any...

Teach Your Dog when & where to Go to the Bathroom

Hi this is Elise McMahon for Expert Village.com and in this video series we are talking about house training your dog. If you would like to find out more about my services, you can visit my website at canineheadstart.com. So in this clip we are going to...

Instructions Things You’ll Need: Dog that is resisting housebreaking Crate for sleeping Leash Step 1: Place the dog on a leash while inside. Keep the dog with you at all times. The dog must shadow you and not be out of sight. Step 2: When the dog...

When to Praise your Puppy : Tips for Housebreaking Puppies

Hi, my name is Tracey Tenner and this is Doc. I’m the resident dog trainer and behaviorist here at Extra Care Hospital in Davy, Florida. We are here to talk to you today about how to house train your puppy. Let’s talk for a moment about how...