7 Tips to Housebreaking your Puppy

What do you do when that cute little fur ball leaves little "presents" all around the house. Most people don't know what to do when housebreaking their new puppy. When you are inconsistent in your training techniques and don't have a plan in place, housetraining can take much longer than necessary. Sometimes the dog never gets house trained.  Shelters are full of dogs who have never had proper training and were given up by their owners in exasperation. Below are 7 tips to training your puppy so he won't be one of those statistics.

1. Be consistent. Have set times that you take puppy out. Upon awakening, before going to bed, and after ever meal are good times to start.

2. Always take your dog to the same spot outside to do his business.

3. Have a short easy code word or phrase to use. I always tell my dogs to "go potty". My friend tells hers to "go wee wee". Whatever you pick, use it all the time.

4. When you take your dog out, do not talk or play with him until he does urinate/defecate. Just stand by quietly with him.

5. Once your dog completes the task, praise him quietly. Wait until he is finished though so you don't startle or distract him.

6. If you puppy has an accident, do not clean the area with any products that have ammonia in them. Ammonia is an ingredient in urine, and will only attract the puppy to use that spot again.

7. Do not yell at your puppy or stick his nose in it when he has an accident. It is usually counterproductive.

Bonus Tip: When your dog does urinate in the house, clean the area with a paper towel. Take the soiled paper towel out to the area where you want him to go, and leave it there. It will attract him to that spot the next time you go out.

Housetraining Puppy Tip

Harley's Dog Tip: Housetraining Trick

Most people who have raised puppies, have had housetraining issues at some point. Here's a tip to help your little one know "where to go."

Next time you have to clean up your puppy's accident, use a paper towel. Then take the soiled paper towel outside to where you want your puppy to do his "business." Put the paper towel down in that spot. Next time you take your puppy out to potty, take him to that spot. The smell of the soiled paper towel will remind him and encourage him to potty there and not in your house.

Til next week,

Ask Joey: My 2 puppies are trouble!

My Puppies Are Trouble!

Dear Joey,

   My husband and I just adopted 2 adorable puppies from the pound. They were litter mates and seem very close to eachother. They don't listen to us at all. Our biggest problem is trying to potty train them. Whenever we take them outside, all they want to do is play with each other instead of "doing their business." Any suggestions?

Millie C.

Moyock, NC

Dear Millie,

  Hey you don't live too far away from us!  Your puppies have bonded with each other instead of you. It's only natural since they have known each other since they were born and have been together through the scary time of being separated from their mother and getting put in a cage at the pound.

  You want them to bond with you! First of all, I suggest you and your husband each take a puppy through a puppy obedience training class. Also, both of you should try to spend some time every day alone with each puppy. Play with them, take them for a walk, cuddle with them, just do it without the other puppy present. This will give them a chance to bond with you.

  As for the potty training, take each puppy out by themselves. Take them to the spot (away from where they may hear or see the other puppy) you want them to pee and poop. Tell them to "go potty" or whatever keyword you use. Then stand quietly while they sniff around and look for the perfect spot. After they do their business, praise them, play with them for a few minutes and then take them inside and repeat the process with the other puppy. After both have pottied, bring them both outside and let them play together, and better still, try to engage them into playing with you. Throw a ball for them maybe.

  Yes, this may sound like alot of work but once they are house trained, you can try taking them both out at the same time again and see how they do together. Eventually, they should be fine together and it will be much easier.

  Good luck and keep us posted!