Dog Housebreaking Guide
Housebreaking 
is one of the first things that you will teach your new puppy. Start the process as soon as you take your dog home, but know that you will need to be equipped with incredible patience. We are here to recommend some useful tips and products to get you through it!
What You Will Need
Before beginning the process, here are some things that you should have readily available in your home.
What To Do
- Set a schedule.
- Consistency is very important to your puppy. Set your alarm clock and wake up at the same time every morning, letting the dog out as soon as you are up. Also feed your dog at the same times each day, taking him out immediately afterwards, and get into a habit of taking him out right before bed-time.
- Watch your puppy.
- Sniffing, circling, and pacing usually mean it's time to go. If you see these signs, put on his leash and take him outside immediately.
- If you see him in the middle of the accident, firmly tell him "no" and take him outside to finish up, praising him when he does so. Never punish him by using force or pushing his nose in the mess!
- If you find an accident in the house, but don't catch him in the act, do NOT punish him for it. He will not associate the punishment with the action and will only be confused.
- Be sure to clean up the mess with an odour or stain remover. If the puppy can still smell the mess, he may be susceptible to use this area again.
- Pick a word for the action.
- The more you use a word or catch phrase to describe what you want the puppy to do, the easier he will catch onto the notion of housebreaking. Saying things like "outside" or "do your business" will help him along and he will learn this as a command.
- Crating while away.
- When you are away from your home, your puppy should stay in a crate. Some people choose to buy a larger crate for their puppy to grow into, but if you do so, it is wise to place a divider inside that will only allow enough room for the dog to turn around and lie down; instinctively, he will not want to soil his own area.
- Do not let the puppy stay in the cage for more than 4-6 hours at a time, or he may have no choice but to relieve himself in it.
- If you are out of the house regularly, as many people do work, arrange to come home during your break to let your puppy out. If this isn't possible, arrange for a neighbour, friend, or dog walker to do so.
- The crate alternative.
- Some people choose not to crate their pup while they are away. If this is your preference, there is another method out there to help with housebreaking. You will want to set up your puppy in a room with a non-absorbent floor (no carpets!). Place training pads at one end of the room and his toys and bedding on another. Generally, dogs prefer to urinate on an absorbent material but yet they will not do so in their own beds, which is why this method works.
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