How to House Train your Pup

First of all, you need to realize that a young puppy is not ready mentally, or physically, to learn this quickly.  In fact if your pup is under eight weeks of age, it is too soon to even start to try house training.  Let it grow up a bit first, and even then, remember it is a pup, many pups will not be house trained until twelve weeks of age.

The most important thing is PLANNING when you get your puppy.  The best time to get a pup is when you can be home a lot, so either durring your holidays, or when somebody can be home most of the day.  If you have very young children and are a stay at home parent, remember, this does not mean you have a lot of time, you will be busy with the kids, and may not be able to focus on the pup when it needs you to.  As such a young pup may not be the best thing if you are home alone with young children.   

The first thing is to purchase a CRATE, this will be where your puppy will sleep, or stay when you are not home.  The crate must be large enough that your pup can stand up in, and turn around, but not so large that the pup has excess space when it is sleeping.  If your pup is a large breed he, or she, will out grow the crate before they are full size. 

Crate training works on the idea that puppies do not like to mess where they sleep.  In young pups they cannot "hold it" long, but will certainly try, as long as you help them out.  You can help by not feeding them in the crate, removing food and water before putting them in the crate, and by not leaving them in the crate too long.  No more than eight hours overnight. 

Here is your routine starting from the day you get your pup, onward.

Plan your feeding times based on your bed time, lets say you go to bed at 10:00pm, feed the pup at 6:00, remove any uneaten food half an hour later, and take him out (we will learn more about what to do when out below).  Remove water at 8:00.  Take the puppy out immediately before bed time, you must go out with the puppy too.  Then into the crate, which should be close to the backdoor.  Leave a radio on or something to soothe the pup, but DO NOT go to it if it cries.  If you give attention to them when they cry, you teach them to cry.  The crate should have a blanket, and safe toy, but no food, treats, or water. 

First thing in the morning, get up and take the puppy out.  You need to be armed with soft treats.  Generally a puppy will need to pee first thing, you need to reward the puppy immediately with the soft treat.  Then in for breakfast.  Immediately after eating you go back out again.  Now run and play because running stimulates the bowels, most dogs and pups will poop within twenty minutes of eating breakfast.  You need to be out with the pup so you can offer the reward.  Then back in and the pup should be good for most of the day. 

If this is a small breed dog it should get three meals a day, large breeds are fine with two meals a day.  A rule is that if you have better food,  you will have less poops, in fact some owners have dogs that poop only one time a day.

Now, inside the pup needs to be watched constantly, as soon as it starts to circle and sniff the ground this is your cue to take it outside.  Again you must go with, and offer the instant soft treat reward.  Cut the treats small or you will have a chubby puppy.  If you forget the treats, praise will do.

As with the first night, remove any uneaten food half hour after feeding, and get the dog out immediately after eating. 

Providing newspapers or pee pads indoors only confuses your pup, don't use either.

Putting the pup out when you stay in, and rewarding him when he comes in, makes him think the treat is for coming in. 

If you cannot watch the pup, put it in the crate, but you must NEVER use the crate for punisment.  Expect accidents, but never rub their noses in it.  If you remain consistant you will have a fully house trained puppy in a matter of weeks.  Some breeds will train quicker than others, but all require some effort on your part.