The Happy Puppy Owner's Guide to Housetraining Your Puppy

Dogs are probably the only animals in the world who love unconditionally, with their whole heart and body and soul. There are many stories of dogs saving the lives of their humans, of warning people of danger or of seeming to know when an owner is sick or in pain.

If you've decided to get a puppy, or you've recently brought one home, congratulations! You will have a loyal friend and companion who will enjoy your company, never be too tired to go for a walk with you, and who will always be on your side, no matter what!

One note of caution though. A dog is only as well-trained as he has been taught to be by his owner. It is important that your puppy understands as quickly as possible what is considered acceptable behavior and what is not in your home.

You need to decide early if you will allow your puppy to get on your furniture, where he can sleep, and what he can chew on.

So housetraining your dog now, while your dog is still a puppy is the best way to assure that she/he is a welcome and happy member of your household.

The crate method is one of the fastest and most humane methods of housetraining your puppy.

But, first, here are some do's and don'ts for housetraining your puppy:

DO'S:
Do be assessable to your puppy. If you're going to be gone for long periods of time during the training period, then do not give the puppy full access to your house. Put him in an area where you've prepared for accidents.

Do limit the amount of food and water your puppy has throughout the day. (If it's hot outside, make sure your puppy has enough water to drink, but remember that what goes in, will come out!

Do praise your puppy every time he/she does what you expect him/her to do. Your puppy wants to please you, and he/she needs to learn what behaviors create praise from you.

Do be consistent. You will only confuse your puppy otherwise.

Do be realistic. Your puppy may not be capable of being completely housetrained until he is at least six months old.

DONT'S:
Don't reprimand your puppy when he has an accident. It's going to happen, and if it does, it means that you didn't get him outside in time. Just clean it up and move on.

Don't use the crate as a means of locking your puppy up for long periods of time, or as a punishment.

Don't let your puppy go to the bathroom anywhere except his/her designated area while you are training him/her.

Why the crate method works: Dogs are naturally fastidious animals and they don't like to eliminate where they sleep or eat. Therefore, if your puppy sleeps in the crate, she/he will not use the crate as a bathroom.

First things first:

Puppies need to urinate shortly after they eat, drink, play, chew, run or walk. Depending on the breed, size, temperament and age of your puppy, this can be within 15 to 30 minutes.

1. Keep a record of the times your puppy needs to go for a couple of days. This will help you to learn his natural schedule, and make the training process easier.

2. Plan your "walking" schedule around your puppy's needs. From the time your puppy is about 10 or 11 weeks to six months old, he/she should be walked between 5 and 10 times a day. Once your puppy is between six months and 11 months old, this will drop to around 4 to 6 times a day. And when he/she is an adult, walking your dog three to four times a day will be sufficient.

3. Especially after your puppy has spent the night in his/her crate, do not return from your morning walk until he/she has eliminated. (If for some reason you do have to return, put your puppy in his/her crate, and then take him/her out every fifteen minutes or so, until he/she goes.) Make sure you give your puppy lots of praise and affection, once he/she has done what you wanted.

What the crate means for your puppy:

A crate is your puppy's home away from home, his/her sanctuary in times of stress and his "bedroom" at night.

Make sure that your puppy associates his/her crate with positive feelings. Put his/her favorite blanket, chew toys and treats inside the crate. When helping your puppy get used to the crate, leave the door open until your puppy shows no sign of fear of the crate.

The more comfortable your puppy is inside the crate, the less likely he/she will be of soiling it.

Never let your puppy out of the crate for bad behavior such as barking, whining or scratching.

How To Get Started:
1. Establish a regular schedule of feeding and going outdoors.
2. Put the puppy in the crate at night, but make sure you take him/her out first thing in the morning and don't go back in the house until the puppy has finished.
3. After the puppy has gone, bring him/her in, and let him play for an hour or so. (Remember not to give your puppy complete run of the house until he is completely housetrained.)
4. Feed the puppy.
5. Using the chart you created, take the puppy outside within 15 minutes of the time you know he/she is going to need to go. Don't come back in until the puppy has gone.
6. Bring the puppy in and let him/her play.
7. Put the puppy in his/her crate for a nap.

Repeat this schedule throughout the day.

Yes, this is a lot of work. But the method is effective, it works quickly, and your puppy will soon become housebroken, and as he/she gets older, your puppy will let you know when he/she needs to go. In the meantime, you'll be able to have complete confidence in your puppy!