Housebreaking Your Puppy
Generally speaking, when an animal is born in a nest, he has a nature instinct to move away from the nest before going to the bathroom. Dogs are no exception to this.
Puppies will begin to venture away from their sleeping area, to go to the bathroom, at around three weeks. They will need to be taught not to pee in the house, since we consider it to be our nest. Each time,when it comes to housebreaking, take your puppy to the same spot after the following:
1. First thing in the morning
2. Immediately upon waking up
3. Once every hour
4. Shortly after each feeding, exercise, play time and any excitement
5. Last thing at night.
Be sure to walk outside with your puppy. You will also need to wait and be patient. Whenever he begins going to the bathroom, say a phrase such as “be clean”.
After he has finished, enthusiastically praise him and play a quick game with him. In order to keep the area clean, pick up the mess and flush is down the toilet.
It is important that you have patience with your puppy, as he will get easily distracted when outside. If you leave him alone, chances are he will spend the entire time at the backdoor trying to get back in. Then, if you let him back in, he will relax and go on your floor.
It is important that you do not pick him up, but rather lead him out the back door. This will teach him that when he needs to go to the bathroom, he should go to the back door.
Shout, if you ever catch your puppy going to the bathroom in the house. What you shout is not important, but rather how loud you do it. You want to be loud enough to capture his attention and stop him in the action. However, do you shout so loud that it frightens your puppy and he runs for cover.
Do not get angry or punish when housebreaking your puppy, as this makes the puppy regress. It will also cause your puppy to avoid going to the bathroom in your presence, because he thinks it will make you mad. He will then begin to sneak away and do it, which will make it much harder to correct his behavior.
After you have shouted, run towards your back door, calling his name in a happy and enthusiastic tone. This will encourage him to follow. Go outside and wait for him to relax and finish going to the bathroom.
After he goes, say your chosen phrase and praise him. When you housebreak, clean up the mess, be sure to put him in another room.
For more detailed advice on housebreaking, preventing problem behaviors, and step-by-step how-to’s for obedience trainnig, check out Daniels Steven's highly acclaimned, "SitStayFetch." It’s considered by many owners as the ultimate resource for dogs and new puppies.
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Housebreaking Your Puppy

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