Helpful Hints for Housebreaking
Keep your puppy up on a "consistent" housebreaking schedule.
Feed at the "SAME" time everyday.
- Designate one area outside as a "potty" area.
- Take your puppy out every 2 hours to the "potty" area, whether it has eaten or not.
- The times that a puppy will most likely want to eliminate are after eating or drinking, after a nap, or after a period of play or vigorous exercise.
- Bring the puppy on a leash to the designated area. Initially you want to teach the puppy what the words "go potty" mean once the puppy has done the "business".... give it a treat. I suggest "moist flavorful treats as opposed to the dry kind.
- Sometimes a puppy just won’t eliminate—even though you think it’s time for her to. If you’ve been out for more than five minutes and your puppy hasn’t pooped or peed, take her back inside. But watch her like a hawk; do not take your eyes off her. Look for signs that she needs to go: circling, pacing, intense sniffing, a sudden stop in the middle of an activity. The second you see any such signs, get her back outside.
- The two most important words in house training is "WATCH" and "CONFINE". Never give a puppy full run of the house, start in a small area like a utility room or a small pen, don't graduate to a larger area until it has PROVEN (no accidents) itself in that area for a period of time. "Watching" means ....CONSTANTLY being aware of where the puppy is.
- Get yourself a suitably sized "Crate" the same day you buy your puppy. It's not inhumane or cruel (cruel is constantly reprimanding, scolding and possibly getting physical with the puppy for eliminating inside the house). DO NOT fill the entire floor area of the crate with newspaper or bedding of any kind, just make a 1/4 of the crate a 'Bed", if you wish. Always make sure the crate is in a well ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Also, if you live in colder climates, be sure the room temperature stays fairly constant, not too hot...or too cold.
- NEVER BE PHYSICAL WITH A PUPPY FOR ELIMINATING INSIDE... Being overly physical with your puppy will make it not want to perform in front of you, and will actually cause the puppy to leave gifts for you out of your sight.
You can start a very young puppy on puppy pads, but get rid of them as soon as you can and begin formal crate training. Be patient, consistent, and diligent in taking the puppy outside; regulate what goes into your puppy's tummy, so you can regulate what comes out. "WATCH" or "CONFINE”, gradually extend your pups living area, and in a matter of a few short months....PRESTO!!! No more Accidents