Tips on Housebreaking Dogs

By Marissa Willman

Instructions

Routine

Step 1:
Dogs are creatures of habit, so a regular routine will help your dog learn when and where to use the bathroom. Create a regular routine of feeding, watering and potty breaks to ease the housebreaking process. Take your dog outside when you first wake up in the morning, once in the afternoon or when you come home from work, and once before bed. For puppies, you may need to take your dog outside more often.

Watch Your Dog Closely

Step 1:
Do not give your dog an opportunity to go potty inside your house. Keep a close eye on your dog and watch for signals such as sniffing or circling, which indicate it needs to use the bathroom. When you see signals that your dog is going to use the bathroom, pick it up and place it outside. Wait for it to use the bathroom before bringing it back inside. It will eventually associate the outdoors with going to the bathroom.

Each time your dog has an accident in the house, the bad behavior of using the bathroom anywhere is reinforced. As the owner, you must make a commitment to keeping a watchful eye on your dog while it is being housebroken. If your dog uses the bathroom indoors, it is only because it was given the opportunity. Watching your dog closely is the only way you can prevent accidents inside the house.

Positive Reinforcement

Step 1:
Praise your dog and reward it with treats when it goes to the bathroom outside. Dogs are easily motivated by rewards such as praise, attention or treats. Tell it "Good boy" while it uses the restroom outside. You may also bring treats to reward your dog after it finishes its business in the appropriate spot. If your dog whines to go outside, reinforce this behavior with praise and treats. This will teach your dog that asking to go outside is a good behavior that earns rewards.

Do not punish your dog if it has an accident in the house. Verbal reprimands, a spanking or rubbing its nose in its accident will not teach your dog that what it did was wrong. Your dog will interpret that the punishment is for the act itself rather than where it went. This can lead to your dog becoming afraid of going to the bathroom, which will also prevent your dog from telling you it needs to go outside. Your dog may even try to hide where it goes to the bathroom to prevent being punished. Reward your dog when it uses the bathroom outside and do not give it any attention when it has an accident indoors.

Patience

Step 1:
Remain patient when housebreaking your dog. Some dogs may catch on within a few weeks, while others will need a few months to become completely housebroken. Maintain your routine and give your dog ample time to learn where it is appropriate to go to the bathroom. Frustration, impatience and anger toward your dog can severely delay the housebreaking process.

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