There’s nothing more exciting or adorable than receiving a floppy-eared, ribbon-wearing puppy as a gift. Though perhaps these days families just visit a shelter or breeder together instead of putting a new pet in a gift box, that doesn’t dim the excitement of having a new puppy in the house. He’s affectionate and uncoordinated, a warm bundle of sweet-smelling fur and slobbery kisses. That is, until he has his first accident in the house and everyone makes a mad dash to toss him outside.
As easy as it is to love a pet, it’s hard to love the training process, especially when it comes to housebreaking. But with a few tips from the pros, this frustrating period can be as quick, painless, and mess-less as possible.
Establish a Consistent Routine
According to dog behaviorist and trainer Karen Gaines from Bark Busters, the most important thing is to manage the situation by immediately establishing a routine. She recommends taking a puppy out six times per day:
- As soon as he wakes up
- After napping
- After eating
- After exuberant play
- After you return home from work or being away
- Immediately before going to bed for the night
Puppy’s other daily activities should follow a schedule, too. By feeding him at the same time every day, you’ll begin to notice how long it takes before he needs to go outside after meals. By waking up, walking him, and putting him to bed at around the same time, he’ll learn that there is a time to play, a time to eat, a time to sleep, and a time to poop.
When you take your furry pal outside to relieve himself, keep him on a leash and do not engage him in play until he’s finished. Many people make the mistake of simply turning the dog outside on his own—hoping he’ll figure out what he’s there for—and then complain that he spends time outside, only to come in and promptly have an accident. Usually this is because your pooch gets distracted and forgets what he’s supposed to do. Keep him leashed so he can’t run and explore, and calmly wait with him until he’s done his business. Be prepared to spend twenty to thirty minutes outside with him and as soon as he’s performed, bring him inside.
Supervise Your Bundle of Fur at All Times
Gaines says that the number one mistake dog owners make is allowing a puppy unlimited access to the home. When your pet is indoors, he should be either confined to a specific area or remain on a leash near his owner. “Keep an eye on them,” she says. “You can’t give them free reign of the house.” In general, a dog won’t relieve himself in what he considers his “den,” so trainers start by confining a puppy to a small space, and gradually increasing the area until he considers the whole house his den. Many housebreaking issues happen because owners aren’t paying enough attention. Young dogs shouldn’t be expected to control their bladders as long as adult dogs, and if a puppy has access to the entire house, he could have accidents without anybody seeing, which would reinforce bad habits as well as ruin the carpet and furniture. If the owner is supervising properly, he’ll be able to recognize and interpret the signs that little Sparky has to pee (such as circling, sniffing, begging for attention, or hanging around the door), and be able to intercept him if he’s about to have an accident.
Praise, Not Punishment
When your pet successfully relieves himself outside, give him lavish praise and a treat. If you catch a puppy in the act of soiling the living room carpet, startle him with a loud noise, or “NO!”, and then take him outside, where, hopefully, he’ll resume his business in the proper place. Never physically punish him or rub his nose in a mess, and don’t try to punish him for past mistakes, because the opportunity for training only exists while a behavior is happening. Praise your dog for relieving himself in the proper place immediately after he finishes; any later and he won’t understand what he’s being rewarded for. If you attempt to punish him for accidents, he might think that elimination itself is bad, and come to associate the behavior with fear or pain. Gaines says, “Don’t scold a puppy for an accident, because it’s partially your fault.” Think about whether he gave signs or signals that you missed, or whether you could have been monitoring him better.
