Dog and Puppy Housebreaking 101

Easy Techniques to House Train Your Puppy or Adult Dog

House training a puppy or adult dog can seem daunting, but if you follow a few simple steps, it will be easier than you expect.

House Training Puppies

Some puppies can be house trained very easily; others take days or even weeks to really get it. If your puppy seems to be having trouble, have a veterinarian verify that nothing is wrong before you continue. He may have a health problem that is the root of the problem.

First, get your puppy on a schedule. He'll need to go outside soon after eating, so feed him on a schedule. Leaving food available all the time will make house training that much more difficult. Take your puppy outside to the same spot each time and praise and reward him when he goes. You can buy sprays that can help encourage him to go as well. Simply spray the area a little before you take him outside.

Puppies will also need to go out after playtime, so don't forget to take them out then as well. Even better, have playtime outside to avoid any accidents in the house. They'll also need to go out immediately after waking from a nap.

When your puppy is inside, keep him in his crate or confined to a small space unless you can keep a close eye on him. Puppies will naturally avoid going where they sleep, so you can use that to your advantage. However, you'll need to take him out often regardless.

Housebreaking Adult and Aging Dogs

If your dog suddenly starts having accidents inside, a vet trip should be your first action. Pets can get kidney and bladder infections that will cause them to have trouble waiting to go outside. These are easily, and inexpensively, treated.

Some dogs simply fall back into their old habits. In this case, you'll need to re-train them as if they were puppies. Get them on a schedule for going outside and stick to it. They'll soon get back on track.

Sometimes dogs are actually "marking" in the house. Having your pet spayed or neutered can eliminate this behavior.

Housetraining For Working Families

Many families work and would like to have a dog; however, it's unreasonable to expect a dog to wait to go outside for hours on end. It's also not a good idea to leave your dog crated for long periods.

You can, however, have a house dog anyway. Pet stores and most department and grocery stores sell puppy pads. These are plastic backed absorbent pads that you can leave on the floor for your dog to use when you're gone. If you've ever used newspaper to house train a puppy, then this is the same concept, only much cleaner!

Puppy pads are absorbent enough to accommodate even a thirty or forty pound dog. They're relatively leak proof, but it's advisable to leave them on a non-absorbent surface just in case. As a bonus, they're treated to attract your dog to eliminate there, so training your dog to use one is almost automatic.

Combining puppy pads and typical house breaking works well for most dogs. If you're stuck working overtime or in traffic, you don't have to worry that your dog is making a mess for you at home.

What to Avoid When Housebreaking Your Dog or Puppy

Never scold or hit your dog for having an accident in the house. You'll just succeed in frightening and confusing your pet. Don't hit him with a paper or rub his nose in it. None of these techniques work, and they can actually make housebreaking more difficult.

If you catch your pet in the act, a sharp "No!" will suffice. In most cases, your pet's accident is as much your fault as his. Maybe you forgot to take him out after a nap, or you left him out of his crate unsupervised. Regardless, clean up the mess and try again.

Cleaning Up Dog and Puppy Accidents

Even the best trained dog will have accidents. Clean it up as soon as possible to avoid stains and odors. You can buy commercial enzyme based products that work well to remove both the odor and stain. If you don't have any on hand, white vinegar works well too. In any case, your goal is to remove the odor fully because it will attract your pet to eliminate there again.

Final House Training Tips

Patience is the key. Some dogs house train easily; others require more work. Try different techniques, but know that with persistence, you'll be able to trust your pet in your home very soon.

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