Training Your Puppy

One important area of training that all puppy owners must focus on is housebreaking, also called house training, toilette training and potty training. A dog that knows where (and when) to go to the bathroom becomes more of a valued member of the family and less of a nuisance. After all, nobody likes to clean up after a dog that leaves his mark anywhere and everywhere except in his designated toilette area.

Starting them young

The best time to start house training your puppy is when he is still a puppy. This way, you can use your pup's natural instincts in teaching him where to do his business. Dogs are instinctively clean animals that do not want to soil the area where they eat and sleep. They are also animals of habit that build routines as to when and where they want to relieve themselves. If you have had dogs before, you will notice that they generally go in the same area. One style of housebreaking is using the training area/toilette area method.

The training area and toilette area

Before even getting a puppy, you should already know which areas of your home will be designated as the training area and the toilette area. The training area is any confined space like a bathroom, part of the kitchen, the den or the garage. Next, you should also designate where you want your puppy to do his business. For bigger homes, they have the benefit of the backyard. For compact homes, identify the area which you find most suitable to be used as your puppy's potty place.

Training your puppy

Once you have the puppy at home, restrict his movements to his designated training area first. His comfortable bed, water bowl and toys should be placed here. Allow him to sleep, eat, and play here. Spend quality time with you puppy in his training area so he can easily call it his own. At the beginning, expect your doggy to relieve himself in his training area. As days go by, you will notice that your puppy will be reluctant to use the area for potty because he knows that it is his special spot in the house. When you feel that your puppy has adjusted well to his bed (sleeps in it without prodding), relocate this bed together with his other things to different areas of the house. Here, you are trying to establish in the puppy the fact that other parts of the house are not for potty, but for rest and relaxation.

Together with training the puppy to keep his training area soil free is training him to use his toilette area. The toilette area you have designated should be accessible to him when the need to relieve himself arises. You should accompany your pup to his toilette area each time. Once you are confident that your puppy knows where to do his business, you can now leave him to his own devices.

Establishing a regular potty schedule

Puppies generally go potty once they wake up from their long sleep and naps. They also tend to go after meals. Guide you furry pal to the toilette area upon waking or after eating. To help you establish a more regular potty schedule, you need to establish a regular feeding schedule first. Once you see signs of your puppy wanting to relieve himself, bring him to his designated toilette area. Some signs you need to watch out for are: your puppy turns in circles or sniffs around.

Once your puppy has established a regular toilette schedule, always make sure that he has access to the toilette area at those times. If he doesn't, your puppy may not be able to hold it, and thus have an accident. This will make it more difficult to continue the house training.

Tips in house training your puppy

Praise your pup when he successfully eliminates in the toilette area.

Never punish or scold him for any slip ups that may occur. Quietly clean up the mess.

Stop feeding the puppy two to three hours before bedtime. Fresh water should be available the whole day but should be taken away an hour or two before he goes to sleep.

Having a new puppy in your home is a great source of joy and frustration, especially if you are a first time parent. At the top of your list should be training your puppy where to go potty. Housebreaking takes patience and commitment not only from you but from other members of the household. Scolding your new bundle of joy because he had to relieve himself will not do any good; after all, he is just following nature's call. It is your responsibility to train him where to go and even when to go. With the right training and positive encouragement from you, your puppy can learn exactly where it is proper to go potty.