Contrary to popular belief, housetraining a puppy requires far more than a few stacks of old newspapers – it calls for vigilance, patience, and plenty of commitment. By following the procedures outlined below, you can minimize house soiling incidents, but virtually every puppy will have an accident in the house, and more likely, several. Expect this – it is part of raising a puppy. The more consistent you are in following the basic housetraining procedures, however, the faster your puppy will earn acceptable behavior. It may take several weeks to housetrain your puppy, and with some of the smaller breeds, it might take longer.
Establish a Routine
Like babies, puppies do best on a regular schedule. Take your puppy outside frequently – at least every two hours – and immediately after he wakes up from a nap, after playing, and after eating or drinking.
Praise your puppy lavishly every time he eliminates outdoors – you can even give him a treat – but remember to do so immediately after he’s finished eliminating, not after he comes back inside the house. This step is vital; because rewarding your dog for eliminating outdoors is the only way he’ll know what’s expected of him.
Pick a bathroom spot near the door, and always take your puppy to that spot using a leash. Take him out for a longer walk or some playtime only after he has eliminated. If you clean up an accident in the house, take the soiled rags or paper towels and leave them in the bathroom spot. The smell will help your puppy recognize the area as the place he is supposed to eliminate. While your puppy is eliminating, use a word or phrase like “go potty” that you can eventually use before he eliminates to remind him what to do.
Put your puppy on a regular feeding schedule and feed him a high-quality diet to make housetraining easier. Depending on their age, puppies usually need to be fed three or four times a day. Feeding your puppy at the same times each day will make it more likely that he’ll eliminate at consistent times as well, and that makes housetraining easier for both of you.