How to House Train a Puppy
House training a puppy requires patience and positive reinforcement...
and lots of treats.
How do you House Break a Puppy?
By lavishing attention on him when he does something "right", and
cleaning and deodorizing the soiled area when he does something
"wrong".
Welcome to our tips on how to house train a puppy and congratulations on your new family member!
A lot of the time it's going to feel more like the puppy is training you than the other way around when following our tried and true methods for housetraining a puppy.
There are basically 2 training methods for housetraining a puppy and you'll most likely use a combination of the two.
Ultimately you want the puppy to signal you when he wants to go outside (or go out on her own if she has an access door to a safe yard). The process of house training a puppy
is not complete and reliable 'til the puppy reaches 6 months of age.
Once you begin our step by step process for housetraining a puppy remain consistent and patient.
How to House Train a Puppy
- Start by placing newspaper or other non shiny, absorbent paper over the entire floor of the room in which you'll keep the puppy. Remove any puppy hazards such as
electrical cords and unstable furniture.
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- Purchase a cozy, secure crate for the puppy to sleep in (Place toys and treats inside to
get puppy's attention). Place the crate in puppy's room. This room is where the pup will spend it's unsupervised time when you are sleeping or away.
- Have the puppy sleep in the crate. Dogs are den animals and are naturally reluctant to
eliminate in their sleeping place. You'll have to get up at least once every night and carry puppy outside (don't let him walk as it'll be hard to keep him from voiding on the floor)
and wait for him to finish. First thing in the morning do the same thing. Stay with the pup til he voids then make him think he's the smartest dog in the world for doing what
came naturally, reward him with treats. (The younger the puppy the more frequently you'll need to get up.)
- Food has a great deal to do with how to house train a puppy. High quality puppy food formulas have less bulk and more nutrition. More nutrition means the puppy's body
uses more of the product. Less fillers and cereals mean that the puppy requires a smaller amount and produces less waste. Select best quality dry puppy food and don't switch
brands unless you must. Switching foods often causes diarrhea which sets your puppy up for failure in the house training department.
- Young puppies have no control over (or desire to control) their bladder or bowels. It's your mission (and the mission of how to house train a puppy) to make him want to do
it.
In the beginning your puppy will not have the slightest clue as to what you are up to. Be patient and positive.
- Clean and deodorize messes as promptly as possible. Eventually the puppy will show a preference
for certain areas. Slowly begin removing paper from the areas that the puppy no longer uses.
- The puppy will become accustomed to voiding on paper and should reach a point where he seeks out his spot when the need arises.
- Once the puppy uses his paper reliably you can slowly (inch by inch) begin to move his paper to a location of your choosing.
- Meanwhile, take the puppy outside frequently to play and void. Lavishly praise the puppy and offer him a treat whenever he performs a behavior that you want to
encourage
(like peeing and pooping outside). Spend as much time outdoors as possible so that your puppy learns to prefer the outdoors as his toilet. (Don't forget to keep a plastic bag with
you so you can pick up after your dog).
- When you're home with your puppy allow him to wander while you keep a close eye on him.
Take the puppy outside every 30 minutes, after play sessions, after he eats or drinks and as soon as he wakes from a nap.
Take notice of his behaviors when he's looking for a place to void (sniffing, circling, bum tucking).
When he exhibits these behaviors try to "catch him in the act" and
loudly scold the puppy saying "no". Pick him up and take him outside (or to his paper). ~ Do not strike the pup or rub his nose in his leavings. This is NOT how to house train a
puppy and can make things worse.
- Punishing a negative behavior only shows the dog what you don't want (and most times it doesn't even do that) but gives him no idea what you do want. You'll
get the best results by rewarding the puppy when he does what you want him to do.
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The best tip on how to house train a puppy ( or potty train the puppy ) is to set the
puppy up for success. Keep him in places where he is very likely to void where you want him to, then praise him. The more opportunities for positive reinforcement the quicker
the dog learns. Set him up for success and make it easy for him to do what you want.
As with all training ~ Be Consistent ~ expect to move "one step forward and two steps back" at times. There are pet behavior specialists who can help if you encounter long
term problems. There is no guarantee that our how to house train a puppy methods will work for every dog.
The more time you spend in contact with the puppy the more opportunity you'll have to reward puppy when he does what you want him to do and the faster he'll be
house trained. Positive reinforcement works.
Here are some puppy products we think you'll like.
Your puppy's crate can fit in beautifully with your decor. No need to hide a crate in the porch or hallway where your puppy's all alone. If you put a top on this one it can even
serve as a side table.
For a closer look click on the picture.
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Thanks for visiting How to House Train a Puppy. Check out our other How To puppy pages.
How to Leash Train a Puppy
How to Crate Train a Puppy
Puppy Developmental Stages
We hope our how to house train a puppy page delivered the information you were looking for
