Puppy Training For Dummies II,
busy people and anyone who wants to learn the basics to have a great dog for life

This is the second in a series of articles that will help you raise the very best puppy possible. These lessons can also be used for adult dogs. The old wives' tale "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", like most tales, is NOT true. To have the best dog possible, pick the lesson you need and start teaching.

Housetraining

As you begin to train your new puppy or your older adoptee, make sure that you remember the basics.

One of the first steps you must take with your new friend is to teach him where to go potty. Remember that a puppy or dog will go potty after he wakes up, eats and plays. Follow ALL of these hints, be patient, and you will soon have a dog that is housetrained.

1) Keep the puppy in a crate or a confine area while unattended.
If the crate is too large, the puppy will have room to use one end as a bathroom. If you have a puppy that is going to get very large, buy a large crate and close off one end with a divider of some sort. If your puppy must be left alone while you're at work, then a larger crate is okay. Put a stack of newspapers at one end for him to use when you can't be home to let him out. A puppy or dog that is untrained and has free roam of the house will make messes in the house and will find something to get into. It is also a huge invitation to mark territory all over the house.

2) Do not use "pee pads".
Pee pads confuse the pup. He does not understand the difference between the outdoors and inside. If you encourage the pup to use pee pads, he starts to think he can go potty anywhere. If you want a dog that will potty outside, do not confuse it. Train the pup to go outside from the beginning.

3) Take the puppy to the same location outside every time.
Use a command to indicate it is time to potty not time to play. I like "hurry up". When the puppy goes potty, give lots of praise. Tell him what a good dog he is. Dogs like knowing they have pleased you. I do not recommend food treats. This encourages the dog to ask to go outside just to get a treat.

4) Be persistent.
The pup must have ample opportunity to learn to go outside and to not have mistakes in the house. If you wait 8 hours to take your puppy out, expect a mistake. The pup cannot hold it that long. Both the puppy and the older learning dog need to be given the opportunity to eliminate every two hours. If you must be gone for longer periods, it is your mistake that the pup had to go in the house and the puppy should not be chastised.
Take the pup out after EVERY meal.
Take the pup out after EVERY play session.
Take the pup out after EVERY nap.
In short, take the pup out after every event in its life while it is learning.

5) Mimic the behavior you want your dog to do to tell you he wants out.
If you want your pup to learn to scratch the door to go out, scratch the door yourself, mimicking the behavior you want your pet to do. You will probably feel silly the first few times but the dog will catch on. You can also take the pups paws and scratch the door before opening it. The dog soon learns that scratching the door makes it open.

6) Clean all accidents thoroughly.
If your puppy does have an accident, clean the spot well to remove all odors so the pet will not associate this spot with his "potty" the next time he has the urge to go.

Remember, the easiest, fastest way to housetrain a pup is to PREVENT accidents.  Be persistent and remember that your pup will need to go after eating, sleeping and playing. Take the time now to housetrain your new friend.