Housebreaking your puppy can be a time consuming arduous task if you don’t have the facts about puppy training. But before you go about teaching your dog, please teach yourself and make sure you have lots of love and patience for your new companion.

Until puppies reach ten or twelve weeks, they have little say over their bladder or bowels. Please don’t yell at the pup for something that is entirely out of his control. Instead, focus on getting your puppy outside at the times he is most likely to go. A great deal of the housebreaking process is simply pairing certain conditions with certain responses. For example, when you know your puppy has to go, take him outside and put him on the grass. If you repeat this method enough, he’ll actually correlate grass with doing his duty and it is always good to return to the same area for your pup’s potty trips.

Unless you catch a dog in the act, don’t scold him, especially if he’s very young. Shoving his nose in the mess after the fact will do nothing except instill fear. When a dog has to go, he’ll usually let you know by circling and sniffing unless he is really anxious and doesn’t have time. When you see this happening, stop him with a firm “No” and perhaps a pull at the scruff of the neck followed by taking him outside immediately.

Dogs have a natural sense not to soil their beds. If you keep your puppy in a confined space when he’s unsupervised he’ll hold it until you let him out (at least after he reaches about ten weeks). If at this point you take him straight outside, you’re on your way to creating the right habits.

In nature, dogs tend to form hierarchical social groups, and when they’re domesticated, you are considered the leader of the pack. As a result, they very much want your approval. If you dole out praise at the correct times, you’ll reinforce desirable actions.

Accidents will happen, especially when you’ve got a new puppy in your home. Until your dog reaches six or eight months, you can expect him to slip up occasionally. Remember not to punish him unless you catch him in the act or it simply won’t work otherwise. If you do catch him, give him a firm “No” and take him straight outside.

Of course, your puppy can’t expect your captivated awareness for the rest of his life. After two to three weeks of a firm schedule, you can start to introduce some flexibility. Try stretching out times between walks by 30 minutes a week, or even an hour. Your dog will let you and your carpet know when you’re going too fast. Slowly introduce him into other rooms in the house, though always under strict supervision. Stick to one brand of dog food, and if you do switch brands, have a transition period. Changing foods can cause diarrhea.

Most importantly, when dealing with your new puppy and housebreaking, be firm and consistent  in dealing with him and do not let him engage in behavior that you do not approve of no matter how cute he looks doing it.

I have included a quick video on housebreaking you puppy down below.

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