Dog-Puppy House Training

The number one reason dogs are given up is because they are not house-trained.

The most effective way to house train a dog/puppy is to limit its responsibility.

Keep the dog/pup in your line of vision. Stay ahead of the messes.
 If the dog is given enough chances to go out, most, if not all, accidents can be prevented.

When trying to limit the dog’s responsibility in the house, crate training is best.

When the dog/puppy is left alone or at night, it should be in a crate. The crate should be large enough for the dog to stand up, turn around, and sleep comfortably. The first step in house training is to teach the dog/puppy to keep its crate clean. The dog/pup will begin to see the crate as his/her den. When using the crate, do not leave the dog/puppy alone for more than 4 to 5 hours at a time. After 4 to 5 hours, have someone walk or take it outside. It is okay to confine a dog/puppy overnight because when they are sleeping, their systems shut down. It’s ideal to place your dog or puppy’s crate in your bedroom. This gives the dog 6–8 additional hours with you. Dogs crated in the bedroom where you are sleeping tend to be calmer and less needy, along with being less demanding of your attention.

A brown dog running on green grass in a fenced yard.
Behind-the-scenes of a vintage film shoot with crew and actors.

Restrict Rooms Until Trust Builds

Try to keep the dog or puppy out of rooms with soft surfaces until the dog/pup is reliable. You can use baby gates to limit the dog’s access to certain rooms. You cannot trust your puppy to treat the whole house as his/her den until it is fully mature. When adopting an older dog, expect a bit of a transition period. This can last about a month while limiting the dog’s responsibility as if it were still a young puppy.

Change of residence for a dog can be stressful, with possible house training mistakes as a result of such stress. Usually, when a dog has a mistake, it means they don't have a clue as to what is expected of them. They have not associated the area they have messed in as being part of their den. Hence, why limiting responsibility is a must, and do not give the dog unsupervised freedom of the house until it's reliable for weeks.

Customized Guidance at Your Home and Neighborhood Where Most Needed

Medical issues may be a culprit. Be sure the dog has had a veterinary check-up along with a stool examination. Bring a fresh AM sample to the vet to check for parasites, which cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Sometimes too much or too little attention can lead to accidents, as well as changes in the household. Changes can be new residents, new pets, or radical changes in your work schedule or routine with the dog/puppy. Be aware that if you have toddlers, and should their pampers leak, this can also trigger accidents.

Dog training indoors with attentive Jack Russell.

Trust-Based Dog Training Approach

The secret to success is to get the dog on a schedule. Put the dog out at high points of probability. Don't rely on the dog telling you it has to go. That does not work if you are gone, sleeping, showering, etc.

Woman training a dog in park.

High Points of Probability to Put Dog Out Are

  • Upon waking
  • Prior to and when released from confinement
  • After playing
  • After a visitor's arrival
  • After walks
  • Before and after car rides
  • After accidents
  • If dog is restless, trying to leave room, or whining
  • After eating or drinking
  • Pups under 3 months: within 15 minutes
  • 3 to 6 months: within 30 minutes
  • Over 6 months: within 45 minutes

Note: Keep dog under strict visual supervision until it does relieve itself outside.

Why a Routine Matters for Your Dog’s Success

Adjust the Schedule When Needed

Of course, some dogs may vary with their toilet patterns. If the dog slips up and messes before the scheduled time, do get it out that much sooner in the future.

If you catch the dog starting to mess in the house, do not punish the dog or puppy. A negative sound may be needed with some training, but definitely not for house training. Swiftly/gently pick up the dog to interrupt and rush it outside. Never punish an accident. Do not ask him/her if they did it or stick their nose in it. Punishing or yelling at a dog when house training is ineffective. The dog will not connect your anger with its mistake. It will only associate your presence with anger and not the mess. If you punish, the dog may become reluctant to relieve itself outdoors when you are around for fear of being scolded. Nor should you correct after the fact, for it may cause the dog to fear you or, at the very least, create stress and confusion. So when an accident occurs, think about why it occurred and see that you don't put the dog/puppy in a position where it can repeat that mistake.

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Clean Accidents the Right Way

When accidents do occur, it is important to neutralize the odor with an enzyme-type cleaner. Nature’s Miracle is highly effective and sold in pet supply stores.

Do not clean pet messes with ammonia because it has the same odor properties as urine. Nor should you use a deodorizer, for the odor will only be layered, not removed. Dogs can smell something diluted a million to one. We can smell only a ten-to-one dilution. A chemical change in the spot must occur, so the dog is not lured back to the spot again via smell. You can create your own enzyme-type cleaner by mixing a solution that is 25% white vinegar and 75% water, but Nature's Miracle is more effective/efficient.

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Watch for Natural Timing Cues

When you put the dog out, make sure it does urinate and/or defecate. Dogs normally have a bowel movement after each meal.

f the pup has not relieved itself when taken out... keep it on a very short leash attached to your side or tied very short to where you are sitting. Take it outside every 10 to 15 minutes until it does relieve itself. Try to be sure the dog is taken to a calm and less visual/audio distracting area where it can focus on relieving itself. Do not praise the dog when it is relieving itself, as that may distract from the task at hand and interrupt the process... but do calmly praise it afterward. Do not play with the dog outside until it has finished. You can train a dog to relieve itself in a specific area provided you consistently take it to that specific area every time on a leash. If you do not have a yard... take the dog to an acceptable, preferably grassy area (not a neighbour's lawn) and immediately pick up after it. If the dog does go in your yard, clean up immediately to avoid flies and sanitation issues. It will also prevent you and the dog from having to tiptoe through a 'minefield'. Many dogs will not want to venture into an area that is too messy. Follow these guidelines and the task of dog or puppy house training will for sure be much easier on both you and your furry friend.

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