Many dog owners are not prepared for what it takes to house break a dog It requires commitment, discipline, patience and consistency.   By following the steps set forth below, you can minimize piddles on the carpet, but every puppy or newly housetrained adult dog will have an accident, and likely several. Consistency is required to really break in a house dog so the more consistent the owner is the quicker the dog would learn the desired behaviour. Effectively housebreaking a puppy will usually take several weeks, and small breeds sometimes take longer.

Dogs will do better if you put them on a routine.  In order to puppy train take your pet outside at least every two hours, immediately after waking from a nap, playing, eating or drinking.

Praise goes a long way in reinforcing good behaviour , so praise him when he does it outside.  Do it verbally with a lot of petting and even a treat. Make a big show of it. Praise must be administered immediately after the desired behaviour. If it is not done right away, the puppy may not realise what he is being praised for.   Rewarding him is the only way he will understand what he’s supposed to do, so this type of positive reinforcement is essential.

A spot near to the door that you use to take him through must be chosen . Go to the same spot every time, and only reward him with a longer walk or a play session after he has gone to the bathroom.   Whatever paper or cloth you have to clean up accidents in the house  with, you have to leave it on his bathroom spot outside.   The smell emanating from the spot  would help him to understand that this is the spot to do his business.  Use the same phrase every time. This phrase when used later will help you and your pet communicate the need to go to the bathroom.   Generally, after the dog is trained, you will be able to say your phrase, and if he needs to go he will act excited and head for the door.  If he doesn’t need to go he might look at you like you’re nuts.

 In order to puppy train, feed your dog at the same time each day.  This will increase the likelihood that he’ll need to go to the bathroom on a consistent schedule as well.  It will make the housebreaking process quicker and easier for both you and your pet.

When you puppy is indoors always try to observe him, never giving him the opportunity to to use your carpet for his bathroom.   Keep on the look out for signs that he needs to go.. Like circling and sniffing, and go immediately to his spot.  Don’t forget to praise him immediately when he goes.

When you’re unable to watch your puppy he should be confined to a very small area that he won’t want to pee in. If he is in an area that only allows him to stand, sit  or lie down, he would not be enticed to go there. If the puppy has been confined for several hours you will need to take him immediately to his bathroom spot when letting him out.  Don’t forget to praise him when he goes.

Expect your puppy to have accidents when housebreaking.  It’s going to happen.

When you catch your pet in the act of going to the bathroom in the house, do something to interrupt him.  Making a startling noise will work, but make sure not to scare him.  After interrupting him, take him immediately out to his spot and praise him when he finishes outside.

Try not to penalise you dog if he makes a mistake and does his numbers in the house. Make sure to clean it up right away and disinfect the spot.  Rubbing his nose in it, scolding him or punishing him in some other way is not a good idea. More often than not, punishment serves no purpose, and can be more harmful than helpful.

Always remember to clean up and deodorize any accident spots carefully, as if he gets the smell of urine or faeces anywhere inside, that can become his new bathroom from then on.

Consistency in these methods is the key to successfully housebreaking a puppy. It is your responsibility to effectively train the dog, not the dog’s responsibility to figure out how you want him to behave.  The more quickly and efficiently you accomplish the goal, the happier you both will be.