How to Housebreak a Dog or Puppy

This is a fast way to housebreak a dog or a puppy. No corporal punishment is involved.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• dog crate
• leash

1. Get an appropriately sized dog crate. This will be your dog's bed and he will soon love it. After a year we tried to switch our dog to a regular dog bed, but he couldn't seem to settle down at night without his "crib". He wanted to be "tucked in" every night. Keep him in the crate at night, when you are away and when you cannot supervise him. Dogs will not wet their beds.

2. When your puppy is inside and not in the crate keep him on a leash until he is housebroken. When the dog starts "sniffing around" or you see her squat/ him raise his leg hurry the puppy outside and praise and reward him "for doing his business there." You can even try to lead him to the area you prefer to be his "restroom.

3. 
   Don't make your puppy feel bad. Take him out frequently.

   Take your puppy out every few hours so he never has to hold it!

4. Spend as much time as possible outside with your puppy and praise and reward him for urinating and defacating in appropriate areas. This is a good time to teach him tricks and play with him.

Tips & Warnings

• This is probably the most time consuming way to housebreak a dog, but I think it is the fastest and the cleanest.
• Our beagle was found abandoned in a park when he was about 3 months old. We were able to housebreak him in a couple of weeks.
• Your life will be easier if you roll up your rugs, protect your upholstered furniture, and keep your puppy in just a few rooms until he is house trained.
• When buying the crate remember puppies grow. You can make a large crate more cosy with a cardboard partition and rolled up old towels.

[halfbakedchef]

on 6/30/2009 Okay Im going to try this. Ill let you know how it worked out. Thanks

[Devero]

on 1/3/2009 Very true, *****

[Addonis]

on 10/30/2008 great work 5 stars