House-training your Puppy or Dog

Proper house-training of a puppy (or adult dog) is essential if he/she is to be a welcome member of the family.  Fortunately, dogs have instincts that make it easy to teach them proper habits if we are consistent and patient with them.  Because dogs are den animals they prefer not to soil their sleeping area.  This is the basis of house-training. 

Major Points to Follow for Successful House-training:

• Keep your puppy or dog confined when not directly supervised.  You must keep the puppy or dog confined when you cannot directly supervise its actions.  Crates are an excellent way to confine your pet.  Young puppies should not be left in a create for more than two hours at a time.  If you do not have a crate, keep your pet where you can keep an eye on him - and confined in a small, safe area when you cannot.  Baby gates are ideal for both keeping a puppy near you and creating an area for him to stay in while you are gone and allows your pet to see, hear and smell his family. 

Take your puppy or dog out frequently:

• This is the most important point of the house-training:  You must take your pet out frequently!  This means after waking up, after eating and after playing.  Take the puppy out to the same spot in your yard each time and when the puppy does the right thing, praise him!  Learn to recognize his "pre-potty pattern", such as walking around, circling and sniffing the floor.