House Training

Routine is the key to successful house training.  Your puppy's breeder may have started to teach the litter to be house-trained and it is important to continue this training as soon as you bring your new puppy into your home.

All puppies regardless of breed, sex or age will be prone to needing to relieve themselves at the following times:

• As soon as  they wake up  

• After every meal

• After and often during exercise / play

• When meeting new people

• When excited or nervous     

At each of these times, take your puppy outside to relieve himself as pre-empting his actions will mean he is never given the opportunity to make a mistake.   It may be worth while taking him outside every hour initially.  

You will know when your puppy wants to go to the toilet as he is likely  to start circling and sniffing the ground before squatting.  As this point either pick him up or if near the door, call him in a jolly voice and walk him outside.  Stay outside with him even if it is raining.

Every time your puppy squats to pass either urine or faeces, use a two word phrase such as be clean, be quick, be busy, hurry up etc. and he will learn to associate this with going to the toilet and will eventually go on command. Avoid saying good boy until after he has toileted otherwise he will learn to go every time you praise him!

Giving Praise

As soon as he relieves himself, give lots of praise and either give him a treat or play a game with him.  If you use a phrase every time he squats to eliminate himself such as; be quick, be clean, be busy etc. he will soon learn what this means and will learn to relieve himself on command. Positive reward-based training helps your puppy learn what is required of him and builds a good relationship with him too.

Don't go inside straight away as by playing with your puppy he will associate  going to the toilet as fun rather than the end of having fun outside.

Choose a spot in your garden where you would like your puppy to eliminate.  Take your puppy there regularly and be patient - it may take a while for him to perform.  If he doesn't, go back inside but watch him closely and then take him back there in half an hour to try again.   

Accidents Do Happen

Never tell your puppy off for having an accident indoors.  If you punish him, yell at him or rub his nose in it, he is more likely to seek out corners or private places to relieve himself - he will become afraid of you and scared of going to the toilet inform of you.  Remember, going to the toilet is natural behaviour.

If he does have an accident it is because he hasn't been given sufficient opportunity to relieve himself outside.  In such cases, check your schedule and add a few more trips into the garden so the puppy is never forced to have another accident.

Crate Training                                       

Puppies have a basic instinct to keep their 'dens' clean which gives you an immediate advantage if you are going to use crate-training.

Always choose a crate that is big enough to accommodate your dog when he is fully grown.  The crate should be large enough for your puppy to have a sleeping area, a heavy water bowl and a toileting area in case your puppy can't hold out through the night.

Use plenty of absorbent paper or incontinence pads that can be easily removed if soiled.   Make sure these are placed furthest away from the bedding area as it will distress him considerably if he feels he is soiling his sleeping quarters.

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