How to Housebreak a Stubborn Puppy

Housebreaking puppies can be difficult enough with a dog who aims to please, but if you find yourself with a stubborn puppy it's easy to get frustrated and overwhelmed. The good news is even stubborn puppies can be housebroken, but it's going to take a shift in strategy and some extra surveillance from you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby gates
• Treats or toys
• Leash (optional)

1. Confine your puppy to a small area, preferably with hard floors. If you've already encountered problems with housebreaking you need to keep the puppy where you can always have an eye on him, and if that area has floors that are easy to clean it will make your life that much easier. The kitchen is usually a good choice; put up baby gates, and make sure you move puppy's food and water where he can get at them.

2. Keep an eye on the puppy at all times. For dogs that struggle with housebreaking it's vital that you catch them in the actual act of having an accident, and that requires near-constant supervision. When you see her squatting, immediately say, "No!" and take her outside.

3. Find the motivation that works. If your puppy seems to have no desire to be housebroken, you probably haven't found the right reward. If treats and praise aren't working, try rewarding him with something else he likes. Try throwing around his favorite ball in the backyard after every time he successfully does his business outside, or buying a new and exciting toy that he gets to play with after going out.

4. Give puppy plenty of opportunities to go outside. Once she has the basics down, try to transition from catching her having accidents to giving her opportunities to go outside. Once you feel like you're making progress, try letting the puppy out of the confined "training" space for a few hours at a time, still keeping an eye on her to watch for accidents.

5. Stick with it. The more dogs struggle with housebreaking, the more owners want to give up; but it is incredibly important to persevere. Staying consistent will pay off in the long run.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are having trouble keeping the dog in one room, or don't have time to stay in the room yourself, keep your puppy on a leash instead. This ensures that he is always nearby and you can monitor his behavior. Make sure you thoroughly clean any area where your puppy has had an accident. Dogs have a very acute sense of smell, and if there is any trace of the accident remaining they will smell it and return to that spot to use the bathroom again and again.

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[iamaeagerbeaver]

on 11/12/2009 Nice article, very informative. =)