House Breaking Tips

How To Potty Train Your Dog Or Puppy

There are 3 key components to house training a dog. First make it difficult or impossible for the dog to have house-soiling accidents. Second reward your pet for eliminating in the right place and third, teach your pet to ask to be let outside. Dogs are predisposed not to soil their nests or places where they spend most of their time. Use this to your advantage during the house training process by giving the dog a crate or small gated area (playpen type gate) to sleep and stay in when you can't watch her. Otherwise your puppy should be under constant supervision during house training. Leash her to your belt, a chair where you are sitting or some other piece of furniture so she can't leave your sight and relieve herself when you aren't paying attention or she's out of sight. Most dogs need to eliminate first thing in the morning, after meals, after play and after naps. Be sure to take your dog to the same spot to eliminate outside at these times, or every two hours, whichever comes first. Watch for signs that your dog needs to eliminate, sniffing the floor, circling, arching her back or tail or squatting. When you see these signs, ask her if she needs to go outside (or whatever phrase you use), then take her on leash to the place were you want her to eliminate. Encourage her to relieve herself by saying, "Go potty" (or another phrase that works for you). When your dog eliminates in that place, praise her lavishly and give her a treat. That is very important and most people forget to give the dog a treat.Accidents will happen. If you catch your dog about to or in the act of relieving herself inside, scoop her up gently and take her outside to her spot to finish. Don't punish her or yell at her. This will only make her afraid to relieve herself in your presence. If you aren't quick enough to catch her in the act, don't take her to the location and show her the "accident" or reprimand her. She won't understand why she is being punished and it won't help with her house training. Simply clean up the mess with a good enzymatic cleaner and think about what you have to do differently so she doesn't have another accident. Patience and persistence pay off in house training a dog. It can take weeks or even months for a dog to become reliably house trained. With communication, consistency of routine and constant oversight, success should come quicker.