Easy Puppy Housebreaking

Housebreaking Your Puppy the Easy Way!
By Anthony W Robinson

Trying to housebreak a puppy can be trying times for you and your puppy. It's easy to get frustrated, aggravated, and overwhelmed. More than one new pet owner has wondered if they made the right decision because of this. Well, it doesn't have to be this way. You may be surprised to learn how easy it can be when using the right techniques. Remember that your dog wants to please you, and if you can let him know that going outside instead of in the house makes you happy, he'll gladly do it. You may also be surprised to learn that some of the "tried and true" methods absolutely do not work and are usually counter productive. Let's take a look:

We'll begin with this: your puppy may not physically be able to "hold it", since they don't develop that particular muscle until they're at least 12 weeks old. If you have a puppy younger than that, you'll have to make sure that you're taking him out often enough to relieve himself. Remember, he really can't wait. Make sure you take him out after every meal, and at least every 2 hours. When he does go, make sure you praise him like there's no tomorrow. He wants your approval, so positive reinforcement will work wonders. The more you encourage him, the more he'll want to take care of business outside.

So How Do I Do That?

Here are a few pointers when housebreaking your dog. First, take him to the same spot every time, and use the same command every time. You have to be consistent with him to get the desired results. Make sure that anyone who takes the dog out does the same thing. This will serve to cement the notion in his head. Also, make sure that you don't play with your puppy during these walks. You have to let him know that now is about business, not playing. If you've ever known anyone who had a dog that took forever to go, this is why. Get your puppy in the habit of going outside, taking care of business, and coming back in. Trust me when I tell you this will save your hide when you wake up late for work one morning and need to get out the door.

What Am I Doing Wrong?

The biggest mistake people make when housebreaking a puppy is to scold the puppy after the fact. You absolutely cannot scold him unless you catch him in the act. If you yell at him after he's done, he will think that whatever he's doing at that moment is why he's in trouble. If you get home and find a mess, just take him outside to the spot you've chosen and give him the command to go. Don't scold, he just won't understand. It's something you'll have to accept and move on. The same holds true when it comes to rubbing his nose in it. You've got to be kidding. All your puppy will know is that you're mad and sticking his nose in something unpleasant. He won't get what you're trying to say. Not to mention this is not humane and completely unnecessary.

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