How to Housebreak a Puppy

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Start early. Begin housebreaking and training your puppy immediately after you bring him home. Most breeders will not release a puppy to its new owner until sufficient time has passed for it to be weaned from its mother, and this is the same time at which a puppy can begin to retain information and understand commands. Starting training simultaneously with introducing your puppy to his new home will make the boundaries you establish seem natural.
Step 2:
Establish boundaries. Designate an area in your yard that will be the puppy's area to relieve himself and mark it clearly. If the puppy is going to have the whole yard to run in, walk him around the entire space so that he understands this. Enforce these boundaries by using a specific command when walking to puppy here, such as, "Go!" or "Potty!" and remember to say this command in an encouraging and friendly tone so the puppy knows he is doing the right thing.
Step 3:
Walk your puppy often. Walk him at least every 4 hours to avoid accidents and reinforce housebreaking. Set a schedule for walking the puppy every day and adhere to this schedule as closely as possible. Walking early in the morning, shortly after every meal and right before the puppy goes to bed is important, as well as having several other breaks throughout the day.
Step 4:
Praise often. Positive reinforcement is the best way to enforce training with your puppy. Contrary to popular belief, rubbing a dog's nose in the site of an accident does not work; this is because a dog does not retain knowledge of guilt about a behavior for very long after it is done so the dog will only know that you are angry but will not necessarily understand why. Instead, carry small treats in your pocket as rewards to be given immediately after the puppy has gone potty, and follow up with "Good job!" or "Good girl!"
Step 5:
Enlist help. If the puppy is going to be a family pet, involve everyone in the family in training and housebreaking. Not only does this help share the responsibility for cleaning up after the new pet, it also establishes a chain of command for the dog and lets the puppy know that everyone in the house is to be listened to and obeyed. Have members of the family take turns walking the puppy during designated walking times.
Step 6:
Limit distractions. A young, excitable puppy is less likely to listen to you or retain training reinforcement if there is another dog in the yard, a child trying to play with him or if you are not focused on what you are doing. Do not break up housebreaking with impromptu games of "fetch" or answering your cell phone; this will be distracting to both of you. Make housebreaking one-on-one time with your puppy in the beginning so that the dog is focused on you and your commands.
Step 7:
Expect mistakes. No matter how good your training techniques may be, a puppy is still a puppy. There will be times when they get too excited to go potty in their designated area or simply temporarily forget their training. If this happens, be patient and do not get discouraged. Clean up any waste and eliminate any odor to avoid the puppy from returning to the area again. Remain persistent and consistent in your training methods, and the puppy will learn.

Resources

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