Campbells Canine Training

House Training Tips

If you’ve just become the proud owner of a new pup, the first item on your agenda should be, no doubt, house training. We recommend that you do not use pee pads to house train your puppy. Pups need to eliminate as many as six times a day, outside preferably. Prepare to invest some time and effort into house training your pup.

The best training tool to begin the house training process is a crate. Get your dog a wire crate that is big enough to accommodate increases in size over the next few months, and small enough that he doesn’t find a corner of the crate in which to relieve himself. So get a crate that comes with a divider. Initially, keep your dog in the crate for short periods of time. Take him out to the yard to the same place if possible, at regular intervals to get him to eliminate. If he does, lavish him with praise and give him a reward. If he doesn’t go, put him back in his crate for about 10 minutes. Then take him outside again to the same spot which should be free of distractions. If he refuses to go, then put him back in his crate for 10 minutes. Continue this process until he eliminates outside. Over a period of days, your dog’s needs will become clear. Being confined to the crate will help your puppy learn to hold it for longer periods of time and wait for the next opportunity to go outside.

Don’t keep him confined for too long, one to two hours at first. If he relieves himself in the crate, then you will want to take him out more often. Make sure you clean up the mess with an enzyme based cleaning product such as Nature’s Miracle.. You can find this type of product in a pet store.

Don’t punish your puppy after accidents. All pups have accidents along the way. As an owner, it’s your responsibility to train your dog to behave the way you want him to behave. He’ll be more than happy to oblige, if you teach him correctly from the beginning.

When your pup is out of his crate, always supervise. Watch out for tell tale signs such as walking around in circles, sniffing, or losing interest during play. When he exhibits any of these behaviors, stop whatever you are doing and take him outside. Also, if your pup has been chewing a toy or bone and stops, then take him out immediately. Chewing stimulates his system for the need to go to the bathroom. Always go outside with him to make sure he goes.

Make sure to take him outside not too long after he gets a drink of water or eats and when he first wakes up from a nap. Don’t leave water in the crate overnight or even during the day. Try not to get up with him in the middle of the night if possible. Housebreaking takes time, so don’t get discouraged! It is a slow process, but the fewer mistakes your puppy has along the way, the better and quicker the route to housebreaking success.