So you now have that puppy that you’ve always wanted, but now you are worried about ruining your carpet or rugs because of accidents. Are you looking for that easy solution to house training your new puppy? Well guess what? There is no easy solution, it is going to take some time, effort, patients, and love from you, but it can be done.

The first thing you have to understand is that your puppy is probably about 6-8 weeks old, and at this age they don’t understand good and bad. They know when they are hungry, thirsty and when they have to relieve themselves, so it is your job as a puppy owner to teach them what to do. The main thing that your puppy wants to do above all other things (no it is not chew your shoes, but that is close LOL), it is to PLEASE YOU. Your puppy understands that you control the food and water, and it wants to make you happy. So make sure that you praise your puppy and give it a treat when it uses the bathroom outside. Under no circumstances should you every yell, whip, spank, or rub your puppies nose in their accident, this will only delay your goal.

If you want to be successful in house training, you will need to establish a routine for your puppy, and to aid with this, I suggest using housetraining pads. I recommend the Ol’Roy brand from Wal-Mart, as they are very inexpensive, about a third to half the cost of other brands from Petco or Petsmart and they work just great. Place the pad as close to the main door as possible so that your puppy will get used to going to that spot, and evidentially, after about 3-4 weeks your puppy will be “going to the door” when it is time to relieve themselves and will continue to do so, even after the pad is gone. Now you know the secret as to why you see your friend’s dog go to the door when they need to “go outside”.

Start off by taking your puppy outside about every 30-45 minutes. Remember your puppy is small (even if it is a LARGE breed) and likewise their bladder is small, so they will have to relieve themselves more frequently. Also remember that the more you feed and/or water them the more they will have to go. Don’t starve them, but use some common sense, also talk to your vet about how much to feed them.

If you have to leave your puppy alone for long periods of time (I dunno, like maybe when you go to work?) make sure that you feed and water your puppy about 30 minutes prior to leaving and that you take your puppy outside to “do their business”. If you have to leave your puppy, please get a kennel or cage that is at least twice their size, so that they have room to move around a little. The kennel will also teach them, that even though they “feel the urge” to go, they can in fact hold it. If you don’t give hem food or water, in their crate, they will be less likely to relieve themselves since they don’t like to lie/sleep in their own waste, puppies that are 5-7 weeks old can actually hold it for up to 7-8 hours, but please, please make sure that the first thing you do when you get home is to take your puppy out to “their favorite place”. Also always use the same term when you want your puppy to “go”. It might be “let’s go potty” or something similar, but always keep it consistent so that your puppy can learn what you are wanting.

Now trust me on this, after about 2 months of following the same routine, you will all of the sudden realize that “hey, Suzy hasn’t had an accident in the house in about 3 weeks. You will feel a great satisfaction in this and will probably go buy Suzy a new toy from Wal-Mart for her success. She won’t have a clue as to why you did this, but she will be happy and love you more just the same.

I hope you find this article helpful. If so you can find a few other articles I have written on my website, along with some of my “favorite shopping places”…

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The information in this article is based on the successful crate training method. Crate training is not cruel. I repeat: Crate training is not cruel. If used correctly, it uses the dog’s natural den instinct to your own advantage by encouraging the dog not to pee or poop where it sleeps. Dogs are naturally clean animals and will avoid going to the bathroom where they sleep. But you need to keep the following points in mind to be successful.

Establish A Regular Eating Routine

As I’m fond of saying, ‘what goes in must come out’. To help you figure out the best times to get your dog to go to the bathroom it’s important to feed your dog at the same times every day. This is the ideal time to practice your house training lessons. For your dog’s comfort it’s also a good idea to feed your dog in the same place every day, a place that they will identify as their eating spot. With your puppy, there’s a very short time between eating and eliminating. Figure around 15 - 20 minutes. When feeding your dog, give her 15-20 minutes and then pick up the uneaten portion (if any). This will also teach your dog to eat when fed. Again, these rules can be relaxed once your dog is house trained but for now it’s key to establish a routine.

Until your dog is house trained, also avoid treats and in-between meal snacks. The whole idea is to feed your dog, observe them constantly for the 15 -20 minutes after they eat and then bring them to the place where you want them to do their business. Do it like clockwork and you’ll be putting your puppy in a position to succeed. This is all about setting expectations and teaching your eager learner to do what you want. And when they do, praise them wildly. Make it seem like that little pee or poop that they did is the greatest and most magnificent thing you’ve ever seen in your entire life. Your friends and neighbors may think you’re crazy, but I can’t stress enough the power of praise. It’s what your puppy craves. Give it to her in generous amounts.

How Old Should Your Puppy Be?

How old should your puppy be before you begin house training? Start as early as you can but don’t expect results until the pup is about 14 weeks old. Before 14 weeks your pup cannot physically hold it in. Then why start early you may ask? Well, even though your pup may not be physically able to hold it in, she’ll at least begin learning what’s expected of her. Consider any training before 14 weeks to be ‘pre-school’. When her physical abilities catch up with what you taught her, it will make it that much easier to put the lessons into practice.

Size Matters

If you’re considering crate training your dog as a means of house training, keep in mind that the size of crate you choose is very important. A good rule of thumb about size is: the crate should only be big enough for the dog to comfortably stand up and turn around in. You don’t want the crate so big that the dog will mess at one end and sleep at the other. For large-sized breeds that will continue to grow substantially, you may need to buy a larger size later on if you intend for your dog to continue using the crate after it is house trained. And the most important rule of all: NEVER, under any circumstances, use the crate as a form of punishment. The crate should be a place where your dog wants to go, to sleep and get away from the bustle and activity in your home. You never want them to associate it with being punished.

Happy House Training!

About The Author

copyright © Gene Sower

Gene Sower is the author of the Happy House Training ebook: ‘Learn To House Train Your Dog Easily & Effectively’; http://www.lucythewonderdog.com/ebook.htm

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Dog House Training can be simple

To start your dog house training, the first thing you’ll need to do is buy your best pet friend a nice dog training collar, lead and dog crate. You should choose one made of nylon or soft leather. When your puppy grows older, you can buy him a heavier collar, and if he’s a large breed, it should be made of heavy leather, with a strong buckle and clip. Dog house training can be simple. We’ll need to be patient and prepared to spend enough time to work with your new friend right from the start. We can avoid your doggie being among the 60% that land up in humane societies (dog pound) because of behavioral problems. It’s like being on a dog rescue mission.

Get yourself a crate large enough for your puppy to stretch and lie down in (for those get naps). But not one that’s too big either. You don’t want your doggie to be able to potty in one corner and sleep in the other. Your little pet should be in the crate anytime you’re not available for watching your doggie. Our attempt is to get your friend to understand that they’ll have to wait until we come to their rescue teaching them to “hold” the potty which is obedience training.

Your little sweetie can be left in the crate for 6-8 hours at a time. You mostly do it at night time when you go to bed, but can also do it during the day if you have to be away.

When you’re at home, leave the puppy out of the crate, but set a timer (you know, one of those we use in the kitchen for timing) for every 60-90 minutes (no cheating; 90 minutes is the maximum). Each time the timer rings, take the pup out for a walk for 10 minutes, giving them the chance to eliminate, and reward them when they are successful. Positive reinforcement and love is the way to go. Don’t be surprised if you walk them for 10 minutes, nothing happens, and when you come back in the house they have an accident on the kitchen floor. BE PATIENT.

These are only some guidelines. But, take your time and do not become frustrated. In a month, or so, you will look back and laugh.

Remember that your puppy will grow very fast, so his first dog collar should be adjustable. Often the puppy’s breeder will give you a collar and lead with your puppy when you pick him up. Dog care and training really can be fun. You and your best pet friend so to speak grow up together.

If your puppy is not used to a collar yet, he should start his dog training by wearing the collar in the house for a few days. At first he will try to get rid of the collar, but in an hour or so he will get used to it, and then you can remove it. Remember dog house training benefits everyone. Wait till you see that puppy smile when they know there’re pleasing you.

For more good doggie stuff… http://www.dog-stuff4u.com

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