-
Step 1
Expect to clean up a few messes. If you go into housebreaking thinking it's going to be a snap and that your new family member will never leave you a puddle or a pile, you'll soon be disappointed. The training process is bound to involve a few mishaps and you need to be patient and understanding.
-
Step 2
Know your dog's limitations. Puppies don't have long-term memory, so an accident that you just found but he made an hour ago isn't still on his mind. The training opportunity is already lost, so don't expect to show him the mess and have him understand that what he did was wrong.
-
Step 3
Eliminate all traces of the mess. The better you clean, disinfect and deodorize the spot, the less likely your dog is to soil there again. Dogs sniff out their scent and tend to go in the same spots, so don't give your puppy a place for a repeat performance.
-
Step 4
Remove your dog from the area. When you discover an accident, immediately take your puppy outside to her elimination area. You don't want your puppy sniffing around the area while you're trying to clean up her mess.
-
Step 5
Maintain a consistent housebreaking schedule. To reduce the number of accidents your puppy has, develop a housebreaking schedule whereby you take him out for walks at the same times every day. He'll come to learn the schedule and housebreak much quicker and with less frustration.
-
Step 6
Figure out the reason for the accident. You're doomed to a repeat failure if you don't know why your puppy had an accident. It may be that you veered off the schedule, gave her water before bed or ignored her when she was whining to go out.
-
Step 7
Take advantage of a training opportunity. If you happen to catch the puppy in the middle of an accident, be sure to clap your hands, say, "No!" and get him outside to finish. He may have technically had an accident, but don't let it go to waste and praise him when he completes the job in the proper location.
