How do I housetrain my Dog?

Housetraining, like many other responsibilities of dog ownership, is a matter of common sense. If you think logically about the situation, you can probably figure out on your own what’s best for your puppy. But we’ll give you a head start to save you some time.

Many people start their puppies off on newspapers since it’s the time-honored way of training a dog. Unfortunately, it’s not the best way. Let’s think about this – every time the dog starts to go to the bathroom indoors, you carry him to an area of spread-out newspapers and encourage him to go there. You even go so far as to praise him for using the area. What are you teaching him? In his mind, the praise and encouragement means that he should be using newspapers for his needs. Now, unless you don’t mind having your Sunday paper stained in more ways than one every weekend, there are a few better ways you can go about this.

The primary focus in housetraining should be timing. Your puppy will need to relieve himself at very specific times throughout the day, including when he first wakes up, 30 minutes after drinking water, 60 minutes after a meal, and before bed. For ultimate accident avoidance, make sure he’s getting outside at four-hour intervals. This should help you naturally catch the times at which he’s ready to eliminate, which means that you get more opportunities to praise him for doing things properly than you will to discipline him for accidents.

Once you’re outside, consistently take him to the same spot and wait for him to do his thing (housetraining involves a lot of waiting). Every time you arrive at the spot, use a special key word or phrase, like “Do your business,” “Out,” or one of your choosing. Say the word or phrase emphatically and in an upbeat voice. Hold your ground… literally. Your puppy will want to explore his surroundings, watch the butterfly flitting by, cock his head at the birds, basically anything but what you want him to do. Be patient. Continue using the phrase at 30-second intervals. When he finally gets bored with the activities around him, he’ll get to work. As he eliminates, continue using the phrase, but be even more positive about it. Praise him, pet him, and generally celebrate the event. Then do it all over again in four hours.

Sound like fun? Didn’t think so. For extra help, try crate training. Once your puppy is accustomed to the crate, he can stay in it for four hour periods. Take him out immediately after letting him out of the crate. Because he won’t soil his sleeping spot, your regulation of his time will become much more manageable very quickly.