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Raising A Puppy - Housebreaking

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Potty Training your New Puppy

For most people, including myself, the most frustrating aspect of raising a puppy are those natural tendencies that result in destructive behavior. You know what I mean . . . soiling, chewing and nipping . . . the three biggies and the bane of every puppy parent's existence. Yet, somehow we all manage to get through these stages, though some people and pups fair better than others.

The first one, housebreaking, is by far the easiest of the three issues to resolve. That is, provided you use an effective method and are consistent in your training. In this lens, you will find some of the more well-known techniques for housetraining a puppy. However, if you have any suggestions that I have not already listed or a comment about any of the methods mentioned, please feel free to share your thoughts.

Basic Housebreaking Tips

What you need to know before you begin.


puppyCourtesy of kymmie xox.

Regardless of which method you use to housebreak your puppy, there are some basic guidelines that everyone should follow to help ensure success. First of all, decide where you want your puppy to "do his business," such as out in the yard or inside the house on a newspaper. Try to use a particular word or phrase as a signal. For example, you might say, "outside" or "go potty." With repetition, the puppy will soon begin responding to these words.

Housetraining a puppy is very similar to potty training a child. In both cases, maintaining a routine is very important. By giving your puppy opportunities to relieve himself at specific times of the day, you can avoid many accidents. For example, allow the pup a chance to potty first thing in the morning, after a nap, following mealtime, after being left alone, and, of course, before bedtime. On these trips, it's important that you not play with your puppy because you want him to focus on the task at hand. This is how he will learn when and where to "do his business." Pay careful attention to whether or not your puppy actually goes to the bathroom during these opportunities. Try to be patient; it may take a while, sometimes several minutes. If not, wait another ten minutes or so, and then try again. Also, listen for a puppy's cries as a possible signal that he has to go potty, especially early in the morning. Try to remember that your puppy is young and does not have a large bladder or full control over it. Either way, accidents will happen. Expect them, prepare for them, clean them up and move on.

Watch your tone!


puppy dogCourtesy of kufrik.

Never yell at or punish your little pup when he has an "accident." Remember that the process of "eliminating" is a natural one; he won't understand why he's suddenly being reprimanded for something he's previously done without criticism. Instead, if you catch the pup in the act of relieving himself, say "no" firmly, but do not yell, just quickly move the puppy to the right place. When you find a spot where your little one has already relieved himself, just clean the spot well and move on. Again, resist the urge to discipline the pup, instead say nothing. There is no point in correcting your puppy even one minute after having an "accident" because the puppy has already forgotten about the incident. This is because, to the puppy, it was not an "accident," but a natural act. It is also important that you thoroughly clean the resulting odor from the inappropriate area. If you fail to do this, the puppy will continue to return to that spot because he will be drawn by the smell.

Puppy Bladder Control

How long can your puppy hold it?


sad puppyCourtesy of hfrs.

There seems to be a lot of debate over the extent of a puppy's bladder control. Some say that a puppy can control its bladder at 12 weeks of age. Others say not before 8 months. There is yet another opinion that a puppy can "hold it" one hour for every month of its age. So, a 4 month old pup should be able to control its bladder for 4 hours. Still others believe the general rule of thumb to be one hour for every month old plus one. In this case, a 6 month old puppy would theoretically be able to "hold it" for 7 hours.

Basically, no one knows for sure. For one thing, bladder control varies widely by age, breed, and the individual. Older puppies and dogs have more control than younger ones. Smaller breeds seem to develop control earlier than larger breeds. Each puppy learns at a different rate; some get the message sooner than others. In addition, health issues can have an effect since there are certain conditions that weaken the bladder. Abuse also hinders a puppy's bladder control. Finally, housebreaking is a factor as well. Housebroken puppies certainly learn bladder control more quickly than those who aren't, particularly if they are crate trained.

Regardless of the particulars, having a general guideline is helpful in maintaining reasonable expectations of your puppy's capabilities. Try not to expect too much from your young puppy, even after he seems to be housebroken. If you leave your puppy alone or in a crate for an unreasonably long amount of time, of course there will be accidents. So, plan for this and provide your puppy with a well-deserved break, perhaps a long walk, and the opportunity to relieve himself.

Where to begin . . .

Deciding what will work best for you

When it comes to housetraining your new puppy, there are many different techniques available, some of which I've used personally and others I've only heard about. The truth is that, while many people may prefer to stick with one particular type of training, there are many others who combine aspects of multiple methods to accomplish the task. Ultimately, you will have to decide which one fits best with your comfort level and lifestyle. Though all of these approaches do work, some produce faster and more efficient results than others.

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Paper Training

The Original Housebreaking Method


paper trainingPhoto courtesy of Tailrunners Kennels & Resources.

When I was growing up, we always paper trained our puppies. I was not fond of this method. I'm not really sure that anyone was, but, at the time, we weren't aware of any other way. The process of paper training is not ideal. Basically, you choose an area in your house where your puppy can relieve itself and cover the entire floor in several layers of newspaper. Then, whenever the pup has to "do its business," you place the little guy onto the paper. Eventually, the puppy will be attracted by the smell of that particular area and will go there naturally. However, if you want to train your puppy to go to the bathroom outside, then you must gradually move the newspaper closer and closer to the door, and finally out into the yard.

There are certain disadvantages to this technique. First of all, you begin by encouraging your dog to urinate in the house before changing veins and training him to go outside. This sometimes causes confusion and may result in a lengthier, more frustrating process. Secondly, soiled newspaper does not create a very hygienic atmosphere. However, you could use the newspaper in conjunction with a box or tray, so that the puppy isn't relieving himself directly on the floor. Not only would clean-up be much easier, but the smell would then be confined to a particular spot in a room, rather than throughout the entire room. Another disadvantage is that puppies will be puppies and may tear up paper, resulting in a much larger mess. As far as I'm concerned, the only advantage to this method is the cost factor. As long as you already receive a daily newspaper, you don't have to buy any additional training supplies, with the exception of disinfecting floor and carpet cleaner, of course.

Pretreated Pads

The New Alternative to Newspaper


puppy pad holderClearQuest Puppy Wee Wee Training Pad Holder

Another popular way to housebreak your puppy is through the use of pretreated pads. These pads, which you can buy at any pet supply store or Wal-Mart, are treated with a chemical that emits a scent which supposedly attracts puppies and encourages them to relieve themselves on the pad. The pads are often coupled with a litter box or a pad holder for easier clean-up and a neater appearance.

We actually used this method in our first attempt to housebreak our puppy. Unfortunately, while puppy pads are a welcome alternative to newspaper training, many of the same problems still exist. The puppy is still encouraged to urinate in the house, so housebreaking is a longer process. The pads are not indestructible and will result in a bigger mess if the puppy tears them up. Furthermore, there is the added cost of the pads themselves.

This process does, however, have a few advantages over paper training. This method is more hygienic. The high-quality pads are usually pretty absorbent and leak-proof because of the plastic backing, so odors tend to be confined to the pads. Clean-up usually involves simply picking the pad up and throwing it away. Some brands also have self-adhesive strips on the back to help the pads adhere to the floor so there is less chance of the puppy overturning it.

Many people prefer this method of housebreaking. It didn't work in my household, but it has for many others. If this sounds like something you'd like to try, just make sure that you invest in a higher quality brand and not the cheapest product available. It will be much easier to gauge your success if you do.

Puppy Pads on Amazon

These two products were rated very highly by Amazon customers.
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Belly Bands


dog wrap belly bandMale Doggy Wrap Black - Small

The use of belly bands is not so much a method of housebreaking as it is a way of controlling the mess. In fact, to that end, these products are used primarily with older incontinent dogs, female dogs in heat, and as a way of preventing male dogs from lifting their leg to scent mark. I'm really only mentioning it because many times the product description advertises it as a housebreaking aid.

The idea behind belly bands is that, when worn, the dog's movement will be restricted so that it will undoubtedly urinate on itself. Dogs don't like this, of course, and so will gradually learn to control their bladders until the bands are removed and they are in an appropriate spot. This sounds credible enough except for one thing . . . these are basically just doggie diapers.

Personally, I can't honestly say if belly bands are useful in housebreaking or not. However, it seems to me that belly bands probably teach housebreaking about as well as diapers teach potty training. Unfortunately, since I don't actually have any personal experience with this method, I can't really say for sure. If you, or someone you know, has successfully used belly bands to housebreak your puppy or dog, please feel free to comment below. I'd love to hear from you. Until then, if you're looking for a sure-fire way to housetrain your dog, I recommend that you invest your time and money in a more widely accepted method.

Constant Supervision


human eye close-upCourtesy of speedy2.

Probably, the most time-consuming method of housebreaking is the one requiring constant supervision of your puppy. Basically, it works as you would expect. You watch your puppy like a hawk for any sign that he might need to relieve himself, then promptly and quietly usher him to an appropriate spot to do his business. While all of the techniques mentioned in this lens require you to pay very close attention to your pup, none of the others are quite so limiting as this one. With this method, there is no fall-back plan . . . no newspapers, no puppy pads, no crate in which to keep the little guy during the night or when you have to go out. Needless to say, when you decide to train your puppy this way, you must be prepared to commit to it 110%. That means staying home as much as possible, keeping a close eye on your pup at all times, and having a back-up plan for when you must go out, perhaps even a puppy-sitter. While I've never tried this particular method myself, it seems to be ideal for those who spend a good bit of time at home, such as retirees and people who work from home.

Crate Training


dog crateMidwest Life Stages Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate

For those of you who aren't familiar with crate training, here's how the process works. Crate training is based on the idea that puppies do not like to relieve themselves where they sleep. Since they have no desire to lay in their own mess, pups learn very quickly to hold their bladders until the appropriate time.

Ideally, the crate should be used whenever you can not watch your puppy carefully for toileting signals, such as sniffing, circling, and squatting. At the very least, though, the puppy should be crated when home alone and during the night. To eliminate the need for larger crates as your puppy grows, buy a crate with an adjustable divider. The larger your puppy becomes, the further inward you move the divider, thereby giving the pup more space. Make sure, though, that at any given time, the puppy has only enough room to lay down. If the pup has too much legroom, he'll be able to do his business in one area and sleep in another, which would defeat the purpose of the crate altogether.

Does crate training really work?

A Personal Review

Though we've never been in favor of dog crates, we used one when our youngest dog was a puppy. Our objection to this process was simply that we couldn't stand the thought of putting one of our babies in a cage. Unfortunately, at that point, we had no choice. Chewie drove our other dogs crazy during the day with his nipping and barking. They deserved some peace at night, and probably a medal, as well. So, we opted for a crate. Boy, were we in for a shock!

Deciding to use a crate was probably one of the smartest things we've ever done for our dogs. Not only did it provide our older dogs with a well-deserved break from the puppy, but there was also the peace of mind in knowing that Chewie was safe and sound while we slept. At the time, we had no idea that crate training was such an efficient method of housebreaking. Considering that training was not our primary reason for buying the crate, what a pleasant surprise! Chewie was almost completely housebroken within a week, with the exception of an occasional accident. It was fantastic! Furthermore, he grew to love his crate. Though he whined and objected at first, we added a blanket, a few toys, and, of course, a couple of treats to make him more comfortable. Sure enough, the crate eventually became his space.

If you're looking for a reliable method of housebreaking, I highly recommend crate-training. This process is very effective. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

  • Do not put food or water in the dog's crate, as consumption of either may force the dog to go potty there.

  • Never use the crate as a punishment. Part of the success of crate training relies on your puppy being able to associate it with happy feelings and security.

  • Use the crate responsibly. Only put your pup in it when necessary and try not to leave him in there for too long. Remember that your puppy is new to this and can only "hold it" for a few hours at most.

  • When housebreaking is complete, it doesn't necessarily mean that you can ditch the crate. Your puppy has grown attached to this space and may need to be weaned off of it. Still, most people usually find that they can get rid of the crate after a few years.
As for us, we still have our dog crate. Even though our puppy is now 2 1/2 years old, he still uses it, so we'll probably hold onto it for a while longer. It's fine though; the ease of housebreaking has more than made up for the space lost to such a large crate.

What's your opinion?

How do you feel about crate training?

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Crate training is the best way to housebreak your puppy.

I don't like crating my dog. I prefer to use another method of training.

 

A Few Other Ways to Housetrain Your Puppy

. . . as if you don't have enough choices already!

How to Housebreak a Puppy With a Bell | eHow.com
How to Housebreak a Puppy With a Bell. Housebreaking a puppy can be a tiresome struggle for new pet owners. With the plentiful potty-training supplies on the market, you must determine one process that will lead to housebreaking...
How to Housebreak A Puppy Using A Cat Litter Box | eHow.com
How to Housebreak A Puppy Using A Cat Litter Box. Cat litter boxes are not just for cats anymore. They are an excellent tool for housebreaking a puppy quickly and with far less mess than using newspapers or the expense of puppy wee pads. They...
Porch Potty - An Amazing Grass Litter Box For Dogs
Porch Potty is an indoor/outdoor dog potty that provides a real grass platform for your patio, porch or balcony. Synthetic grass or sod can be used. Its like having a doggy restroom on your porch.

Which method do you prefer?

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Need Housetraining Supplies?

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Helpful Puppy Links

These websites were very helpful to me in writing this lens. Each contains additional tips for those in need of even more information on this topic.
peteducation.com
Get housetraining tips from Drs. Foster & Smith.
Eukanuba Puppy Guide
Tips for housebreaking your puppy and ways to introduce a crate
Dog Breed Info
Housebreaking your new puppy is going to take patience. You should begin as soon as you bring your new puppy home. Puppies need to relieve themselves approximately six times a day. A puppy should be taken out immediately after each meal since a full stomach puts pressure on the colon a

Why do some male dogs lift their legs to urinate, but not others?


dog and fire hydrantCourtesy of Christine Landis.

When I was growing up, it was a common misconception that all male dogs lifted their legs to urinate. In fact, my mother would never let us have a male dog for that very reason. Little did we know, the act of a dog lifting his leg to urinate actually has very little to do with relieving himself and everything to do with anxiety and dominance. When a dog is feeling insecure or threatened, they use this process, often called "urine marking" or "scent marking," to mark their territory and establish themselves as the dominant presence. In these cases, the dog only urinates a small amount, just enough to tag an object or area with its scent. Apparently, the height of their mark is also a factor. The higher their aim, the more dominant they are. Oh, and get this, it's not only male dogs who do this, but some females "scent mark" as well. Again, it all has to do with gaining authority in the household or expressing anxiety.

If you are experiencing this problem with your dog, and you've already ruled out a medical cause, then check out the links listed below. Both contain thorough explanations of this behavior, as well as several ideas for putting a stop to it.

For more information on this topic . . .

check out my sources.

Urine-Marking Behavior | The Humane Society of the United States
This article provides a more thorough explanation of this behavior, as well as tips for correcting it and preventing future occurrences.
Dog Chat: Stop Dog Urine Marking - Tips to Stop Dog Peeing in the House
Reasons why dogs mark urine inside the house & tips on how to prevent urine marking behavior in your home

The Most Important Thing


star

Please remember to praise your puppy when he successfully relieves himself in the correct spot. I can not stress this enough. Be affectionate, scratch his ears, rub his belly, give him a tiny treat, pick one or do them all, just don't forget to heap on the praise and tell him what a good boy he is. Your little guy will love this and will work extra hard to earn such praise again.

Relax. Housebreaking a puppy is not nearly as difficult as some people seem to think it is. Follow the steps and other tips mentioned above and your puppy will be housebroken in no time. Just remember: patience, repetition, consistency, and praise are the keys to success.

Check out these helpful YouTube videos!

Don't forget to open these in a new window!

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More housetraining tips on Google

'Ruff to Ready' pilot program aims to cut shelter returns
Among the dogs' behavior issues were biting, barking, housebreaking, chewing, crate training and basic puppy problems. "Going to the home makes it easier to evaluate issues, such as 'are there small children and how do they interact with the new dog?
Program pairs prisoners, shelter dogs for a second chance
Surrendered in March as a stray to Fox Valley Humane Association in Greenville, Finnegan came through the doors with some baggage ? housebreaking accidents, a lack of confidence, a tendency to cower if spoken to in a stern voice ? the kinds of issues ...
Police: Man hit girlfriend, killed 6 puppies
... girlfriend and killed six puppies. According to a police report, Mathew Simmons and his girlfriend got into a fight Saturday at a home on Orme Road on the Westside. Simmons threw a dog out of the house, breaking its leg, according to the report.
Why You Should Adopt an Underdog from the Animal Shelter
When adopting a mixed-breed puppy it can sometimes be hard to predict it's final size, cautions Houston-based dog trainer Abby Harrison of Sit Dog Stay. With older dogs, you won't have to deal with housebreaking your pet or dealing with the chewing ...
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  • AshleyBretting-M.S. Jan 10, 2010 @ 6:10 pm | delete
    Sweet pics and information! You've been lens rolled to my Houndsville lens Come by for a visit and say bow wow or helloooooo :)
  • Heather426 Oct 10, 2009 @ 12:23 am | delete
    Love it! I like clicker training ! I did a little about this on my Dog Training Works lens. Lensrolling this lens!
  • EverythingMouse Aug 23, 2009 @ 11:38 am | delete
    Very comprehensive lens with a lot of useful information. Squid Angel Blessings to you!
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lakern26

lakern26 is a stay-at-home mom of 2 active boys and 4 loveable dogs. She enjoys puzzles, movies, scrapbooking, and Disney theme parks.

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