Let’s begin first thing in the morning, being fully aware that “first thing” may be earlier than you had in mind! Things will get easier as the pup gets older. At the first peep, whine or bark in the morning, open the crate door and immediately carry the pup, attaching a leash as you go, to the exact spot you want the dog to use. Just stand and let the pup wander about on it’s leash. This is not a walk. It’s a Business trip.
Make up the term that means, “potty” to the dog. Some common ones are “Potty,” “Make a puddle” or the one that makes me feel better on snowy mornings, “Hurry-up!” Once you’ve chosen a word or phrase, everyone in the family should use it. As the puppy piddles, say, “gooood Dog.” Follow with more standing on your part and more exploring on the part of the pup, but only in that one small area. If you find you are just staring at each other, move the leash back and forth to get the puppy moving again. When the puppy has a bowel movement, give more praise; just an approving “good dog,” not a standing ovation, and take the pup back inside.
Using a leash, even inside a fenced area or while paper training, has many advantages. You are there to express immediate approval, your dog goes in the place you have chosen, your dog will be at ease to relieve it’s self on leash away from home. Don’t Laugh! “Outside” is a good one word cue for the dog --- “Do you need to go outside?” emphasizing the key word. The pup will catch on.
If the pup messes in the crate before waking you, don’t scold. Set the alarm for 15 or 20 minutes earlier and be certain the pup relieves itself before going into the crate at night. You may even try changing its feeding schedule and removing the water dish a little earlier. This should help the pup make it through the night. Your goal is prevention, NOT punishment.
As the pup matures, and when you have time, go for a walk right after the dog has eliminated. Or, if you have a fenced yard, the older pup might like to run around on its own for a while. Then its breakfast time for your canine baby!
Place the dog’s food dish and water bowl side by side in the crate. Allow 15 to 20 minutes for the dog to dine before removing the dish. Removing it when the time is up whither or not the pup has eaten all the food. Now take the pup back outside to the same spot. When the pup has eliminated, or if 5 or 10 minutes, it shows no sign of wanting to, play or go for a short walk. Then back to that same spot again. It’s extremely important to be right there to say, “Good Dog” as the pup eliminates, at least for the first couple of weeks. I never said this would be interesting. It IS basic puppy training, however, and will last a lifetime.
Now is a good time for some supervised freedom to explore other parts of the house, but only with supervision. In a working household, this may be a weekend luxury. If you’re occupied, getting family or self ready to meet the day, place the puppy back in its crate with some chew toys to amuse it while you finish your morning rituals.
Be sure to monitor your pup’s activities throughout the day. When the pup sniffs, walks in circles and appears anxious, it’s your cue to head to the “Potty Spot” with the puppy. The success of housebreaking depends on your quick response to the cuss. If the puppy is successful again and again, it will soon begin to head for the spot when it feels the urge. If you can’t constantly supervise the puppy, put it in the crate when you’re busy. Just don’t let it make a mistake.
If the pup must be left alone for several hours, place the crate in a restricted area, such as a kitchen or bathroom with a gate across thed door. Turn the radio on low put some safe toys in the crate and leave just one patch of news paper on the floor for an emergency. If you put newspapers all over the floor, the pups will decide where to eliminate which could be just about anywhere. By putting three or four thicknesses of newspaper in one spot you have taken charge. Maybe a good spot would be next to the door he will want to go out.
If you plan to be gone for only a few hours, take the dog outside to eliminate before you leave. Then put the dog in the crate with a small treet and a couple of toys. Latch the crate door, turn on the radio and leave. Don’t make a big deal of your departure, just go. Older dogs can remain in their crate a little longer; ask your veterinarian for an opinion on how long your pup can expected to go without uninating or defecating.
When you return, immediately take the puppy out to his very own spot.
A young pup’s last meal should be no later than 8 PM followed by a drink of water. Then remove the water bowl. An hour or so before your bedtime, taek the pup out for the last time. Put the crate in your bedroom before putting the dog to bed for the night. Then put the puppy into its crate with a toy and a plain puppy biscuit.
Your mere presense will be comforting, do don’t fall into the trap of talking to the pup as you’re going to bed, or it will try to stay up to keep you company! If you go about your business of calling it a da, the pup will too. Don’t fall for that old “Ticking clock and hot water bottle” routine either. The pup was surely weaned before you got it, so it doesn’t need it’s “mothers Heartbeat.” All you’ll end up with is a destroyed clock, and a hot water bottle full of tiny tooth pricks and a soaking web puppy. The important thin is that ou’ll be there to hear the first sounds that signals the first of many trips outside.
When you put your puppy in the crate and say good night, mean it. No going back to say good night later. No response to crying, whining or barking, if you are sure the pup relieved itself before entering the crate. Don’t even punish the pup if it fusses. Your angry should of “Quiet,” a response to its cries, to the pup. The puppy reasons that any reply is better than none, so it will be encouraged to keep it up. Things will get better each night. A well-socialized puppy will very likely be sound asleep long before you turn out your light, and you’ll be the one staying awake to watch your new pride and joy.
By adhering to a consistent schedule, you can housebreak your puppy in only a few days. But don’t rush to brag to your friends. Continue to monitor the pup’s actions for several months. If the pup soils your house, be sure to clean the area immediately with a commercial odor-eliminator or a solution of vinegar and water. Never use any cleaner or solution containing ammonia. Do not punish the puppy for soiling in the house, unless you cat the dog in the act of soiling. Otherwise the puppy will not understand the reason for the punishment. Do not let the puppy see you cleaning up his mistake. He may be drawn back to that place out of curiosity.