House Training Puppies

When they first come home, take them out to the area you want them to eliminate in.  From the start DO NOT wander all over the yard. Use a leash to keep the dog in the area you want it to use to eliminate.  DO NOT just let it out into a fenced yard; it will not learn that you want it to eliminate.  The puppy will run around and play and chase and sniff.  You want to teach your puppy that it has a job to do.  Decide ahead of time the word(s) you want to use to prompt the dog to eliminate.  I use “do your job”.  Use whatever words you like, but remember what it might sound like to other people if you are out in public.  “Time to go wee-wee” could be a bit embarrassing.  Give the dog a little time to “go”; if it does, say your cue word while it is going and praise it.  Don’t be afraid to put some excitement in your voice.  You should sound happy…let your puppy know that it is doing a very good thing!  Food treats work well in conjunction with this praise.  Timing is everything…praise as puppy is going, repeating the cue word and “good dog” and give the treat immediately when it is done going.  Now you can bring the puppy inside.  If your dog hasn’t eliminated after a reasonable amount of time go inside with it. But keep within arm’s reach and go back out every few minutes until it has gone.

So now you’re inside with your brand new baby!  How excited you are!  I hate to say this, but the best thing you can do is to back off.  Try to look at things from his point of view.  He is in a brand new place with new smells and no mom or siblings.  It is a scary place.  What I do is to sit on the floor with them QUIETLY!  No running children or other pets, please.  Better to turn the TV and radio off for a little bit. 

I have the crate open with nice bedding in it.  Perhaps you can bring a piece of blanket or something home from the breeder that smells of “home” to the pup.  Give pup a little treat to taste…then let him follow another treat in your hand into his crate. Open your hand inside the crate so he can have the treat.  Your goal is to let him know that the crate is a nice place to be.  Pet and give him a toy when he is in the crate.  With the area outside the crate quiet, he’ll be less likely to want to run around to explore and he will be ready to rest…the trip to your home will have tired him out. 

If your puppy wants to explore, keep him to a small area, preferably with linoleum or the like, and follow him.  DO NOT allow him to just run where he pleases.  His mom wouldn’t and neither should you.  Don’t let your puppy get over excited.  Let him explore for a bit and then again introduce him to his crate.  If you are quiet and relaxed, he will be too and more likely to settle in.

Your job during the next few weeks is to be glued to your pup.  This is not easy to do but it really pays off in the long run.  When your puppy is out of the crate you absolutely MUST keep your eyes glued to him.  You MUST let him outside every time he wakes up from a nap.  Remember to praise and treat him for appropriate behavior.  This cannot be over stated.  You want to AVOID the wrong behavior and PRAISE the right behavior.  Let him outside immediately after he eats.  When you are playing with him, watch for any sniffing around on the floor that might indicate he’s getting ready to eliminate and get him outside.  Every time your puppy goes on the floor in the house makes it harder to change the behavior.  When you cannot keep your eyes GLUED to Pup, he must go into his crate. Your puppy will not want to eliminate where he is laying and will try to “hold it”.  Always make it pleasant and give them a food treat and/or their favorite toy (make sure it is a safe toy) when putting them in their kennel.  Use the same word when you put them in (I use “kennel”) and pretty soon they will go in there on command.