Housebreaking Tips: these simple tips apply for any age dog or puppy
Put your dog on a schedule. You can feed once, twice or more times a day. Remember what goes in must come out. Do NOT free feed by leaving a full bowl of food out at all times. Pick up any food not eaten within 15 minutes. Dogs will not starve themselves unless ill.
Remove all opportunities to house-soil by using confinement and close observation. Encourage the "clean den" concept by providing the puppy or dog with a very small area or crate as their den. Our homes may be too big for them to understand yet that all of our living space is the "pack den". Dogs develop habits very quickly.
Take them out frequently to eliminate so they develop the routine of where you want them to go. Show them where it is to eliminate. You can teach your dog to always use the same area, especially if you start now.
Be patient. A young pup is like a young infant or diapered toddler. Sometimes their bodies are not quite ready to be controlled.
Predicting when:
Immediately upon awaking
15 minutes after eating and drinking
Immediately following a vigorous play sessio
If the puppy sneaks off and "goes" in the house. When you find the mess, just roll up a newspaper and stand in front of your puppy. Strike yourself over the head with the newspaper repeatedly while sternly saying "BAD Owner BAD Owner" for not watching the puppy.
The good news is that house training doesn't last forever. Like all good training you puppy will catch on to what it is you want. If you don't teach him a sign (way to let you know) he needs to go outside then you will have to watch him to see what sign he will be using to let you know.
If you don't have the time or patience for this type of training, then you may want to investigate getting a rescue dog. Or, maybe you don't really need a dog. It could just be a passing fancy. Do you really want an 8 to 15 year obligation?
