Golden Rules

The following are some basic guideline to follow when house training your dog:

• Keep a regular feeding schedule and avoid providing food between meals.
• Take the puppy out for a potty break first thing in the morning and then once every 30 minutes to an hour. Also, always take him outside after meals or when he wakes from a nap. Make sure he goes out last thing at night and before he’s left alone.
• Take the puppy to the same spot each time, his scent will prompt him to go.
• Stay with him outside, at least until he’s house trained.
• Provide a reward, praise him or give him a treat, when he successfully does a potty break. A walk is also a form of reward.

Using a Crate to House Train Puppy

A crate is a good interim step while house training your puppy. It allows you to keep an eye signs he needs to go and teaches him to hold it until you open the crate and let him outside. Guidelines for selecting and using a crate:

• The crate should be arge enough to stand, turn around, and lie down, but not big enough for him to use a corner as a bathroom.
• Make sure there is fresh water if you use a crate for longer than 2 hours. A water dispenser that attaches to the crate is a good idea.
• Arrange for someone to gives him a break in the middle of the day for the first 8 months, if you are not at hThis could be a sign of bad habits developed while at the shelter or pet store where he lived before, or he may not he may not be getting outside enough, the crate may be too big or or he may be too young to hold it in.

Do's and Don'ts

Don't punish your dog for having an accident indoors. It teaches them to fear you.

Clap loudly if you catch your pet in the act so they know they've done something unacceptable, then take him outside. Praise him or give him a treat when finished.

Staying outside longer may help to curb accidents.

Clean up messes immediately. If your dog has an accident in the house, clean it up as soon as possible. You don’t want your dog associating relieving himself with being inside the house.

Don’t use an ammonia-based cleaner. Urine has ammonia in it, so your dog might associate the cleaner’s smell with urinating. Instead, use an enzymatic cleaner on soiled areas.