House Training Your Puppy

This is a handout I wrote to give out to new puppy owners when I worked at a veterinary clinic. I though I would go ahead and post it here because it has some useful tips on housetraining.

There’s nothing more wonderful than a new puppy, right? Those warm puppy kisses, wagging tail, playful yips, a furry little body cuddled in your lap….and then that little puddle you just noticed on your favorite rug. Ok, so puppies are not all fun and games. In fact housetraining issues are one of the most common problems that new puppy owners have with their furry little friends, but it doesn’t have to be that way. By staying patient and following these simple guidelines you’ll be well on your way to a reliably housetrained dog in no time.

The Crate

There is by far no better tool used in modern housetraining methods than the dog crate. Used correctly, the crate not only prevents accidents in your house but also keeps your puppy from getting into trouble when you are unable to supervise him completely. Crates come in several different varieties, the two most common being plastic and all-wire crates. Both types work equally well, and it is up to you to decide which one will be most suited to you and your puppy. The most important thing to remember when purchasing a crate is that it must not be too big for your puppy. A puppy confined to a crate large enough may be able to eliminate in one part of the crate, and then move to a different part of the crate. Remember the saying “Stand up, lie down, turn around”. This is how much room your puppy should have in his crate. No more, no less. Also be aware that for the first week or two, it is advisable to not put any absorbent materials in the crate with your puppy. The puppy may find out that he can urinate on these objects then shove them to the back of the crate. Your goal is to teach him to learn not to eliminate in his “home”.

Now that you have the perfect crate for your puppy, it is time to teach him to like being in his crate. During the day when you have him out, leave his crate out with the door propped open. Occasionally toss yummy treats into the crate, and invite him to check it out. Never force him in, but instead allow him to investigate at his own pace. When he does go in to get the treat, praise him excitedly and give him another treat, then allow him to come back out. Repeat this exercise several times until he is happily going into his crate for goodies. You may want to add a voice command at this point, such as “go to bed” or “kennel” so that you can get him to go into his crate whenever you need him to. Now you can start leaving him in the crate for short periods of time. Encourage him to go into his crate again, but this time when he goes in shut the door for a few seconds. If he does not protest, open the door and give him lots of praise and treats. Do this several times throughout the day, gradually extending the time he stays in the crate. Never let him out if he cries or protests, wait until he has calmed down first. Feeding him his meals in his crate is also helpful for getting him to enjoy being in the crate. Never make a big deal about him coming out of the crate; your goal is to create a puppy that adores his crate.

Other Forms of Containment

The crate is very useful for short-term confinement, but there may be times when you need to leave your puppy for more than a couple hours. This is where a pen or a small area like a bathroom or kitchen comes in handy. When you are unable to be with your puppy for a long period of time, you will need to set up a larger area for him to stay in. The area should be large enough that you can place his crate in it with the door left open, and place newspaper or puppy pads in another corner. Leaving some interactive toys with him is a good idea also, such as a hollow toy stuffed with food or treats.

When your puppy is not in his crate or pen, he should be carefully supervised at all times. A good way to do this is by keeping him on a leash attached to your belt loop, or by tethering the leash to a stable object such as a table leg or a doorknob. This will allow the puppy to be near you while still keeping him from going wherever he wants. Just be sure to never leave the puppy unattended while tethered to an object.

Housetraining Procedures

Now that you know about the different ways of preventing the unwanted behavior, let’s talk about how to train the desired bathroom behavior. The best way to do this is take your puppy out to use the bathroom anytime you think he might need to go. For a very young puppy this can be as often as every two hours. Puppies will also need to go to the bathroom after playing hard, after waking up from a nap, and approximately 15 or 20 minutes after eating or drinking. It is useful to have your puppy on a feeding schedule so you are better able to predict when he will need to go. Also watch you puppy for signs that he needs to go, such as sniffing the ground and circling. When it is time to take him out, pick a designated spot in the yard and take him there every time. Wait in the area about 5 minutes or so, allowing him limited ability to wander. If he does his business, wait until he is finished, and then give him lots of praise and a tasty treat. It can also be useful to begin using a command like “go potty” or “do it” when he begins to eliminate. Eventually he will learn that hearing that command means he is supposed to go. This becomes very useful when you are in a hurry! Once he has gone, you can allow him playtime and a bit more freedom. In the event that your puppy does not go within the time period, take him back inside and put him in his crate. After about 15 minutes repeat the above process. Your puppy will soon learn that eliminating quickly will give him access to playing and free time. It is very important that during the training process you always go outside with him to the bathroom area. If you just open the back door and let him out when he needs to go, you will not be sure that he has actually gone and you won’t be able to reward his good behavior. About an hour or two before bedtime you will want to remove his food and water. Right before bedtime you will want to walk him one last time, and then put him in his crate for the night. Set your alarm to go off once in the middle of the night to take him out. You will probably need to do this for at least the first week or two, until he learns to hold his bladder longer.

Even if you follow all of these rules carefully, it is likely that there will be a mistake at some point. Maybe you got distracted with a phone call or your favorite television show. Whatever the reason, mistakes are bound to happen, so it’s best to know what to do when it does. The most important thing is that you should never punish your puppy for making a mistake. Not only is it likely that your dog will not even associate the punishment with the undesired behavior, but he may learn to fear you and the act of eliminating in front of you. The next time that he needs to go he is likely to sneak off where you can’t see him and then do it. Punishing after the fact is even less likely to be understood by your dog and could cause damage to you and your dog’s relationship. If you happen to catch your puppy in the act of eliminating in the house, try to startle him by making a loud noise, then quickly pick him up and take him outside to his bathroom area. Be sure to clean up all accidents thoroughly using a cleaner designed to remove any odors that may linger and indicate to your dog that this is a good place to go.

Congratulations! You are now well on your way to having a perfectly housetrained dog. Just remember that every dog is different and learns at a different rate. Be patient and persistent and you should be able to pull through just fine. Also be aware that there are always exceptions. If you are still having difficulties after following all of these guidelines, you may want to rule out the possibility of any medical conditions that are causing your puppy problems. And if all else fails, do not hesitate to call on the help of a professional trainer to guide you through the housetraining process. Good luck and happy training!