Housebreaking is a process that is often cited as one of the most frustrating (but rewarding) for new pet parents bringing home a puppy or dog. Whether it’s your first dog, or you’ve done it plenty of times before, it’s never without its challenges along the way. There are two important things to remember when approaching the housebreaking process and they are:
- Patience and consistency are key.
- The best way to house train a puppy will be unique to your puppy.
While every house training process is unique, that’s not to say there aren’t similar techniques and strategies that are beneficial across the board when approaching house training with any dog. According to Puppy in Training, the house training process should take around 4 to 8 weeks on average, but don’t be discouraged if it takes your dog a little more time to catch on. If you find your dog is taking a bit more time, switching up your strategy or trying to implement new techniques can be helpful to encouraging your dog to finally “get it”.
The Basics
There are some basics when it comes to the best way to house train a puppy, and these will be relevant across the board no matter what strategies you choose to use. First and foremost, when you should focus on potty times, and those times a day when you create a house training schedule.
According to the AKC, or American Kennel Club, the most important times to put into your house training schedule are:
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Immediately upon waking – Even before you put the coffee on, when you wake up is the most important time of the day to get your puppy outside and reinforce their good behavior. Right when you wake, put your puppy’s leash on and carry them (if able) out to their outdoor potty area. Have a couple of treats or pieces of food in hand and at the ready and set them down to do their business. When they do, reward them immediately with a treat, praise, or both! Typically, first thing in the morning will be “emergency time” for your puppy, and this makes these trips often a bit quicker than, perhaps, after playtime or in the middle of the day. Use this urgency to your advantage by heavily reinforcing their good behavior.
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After meals – After meals is another important time to prioritize a potty trip. Even after breakfast, when you’ve just let your puppy out a few minutes prior, take the time to give them a bit of outside opportunity to relieve themselves. It’s best to wait about 5 to 10 minutes after the meal has been finished to allow them a little time to digest.
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After playtime – Puppies love to play, and when they’re done, they often find themselves in need of a little bathroom time. As your puppy zooms around the house, diving at toys and bowing at their playmates, their digestive system and bladder is working overtime. When they stop, it’ll often come with an urgent need to go.
- After naps – Naps should be treated much like their morning routine. When a puppy awakes, it’s likely they’ll need to relive themselves, and you’re given an ample opportunity to provide positive reinforcement.
What You Need For Puppy Potty Training Success
Once you have your base schedule ready, you’ll need a few items to keep you prepared and to make the process a bit easier. To get ready to put your house training into practice, you may want to have:
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Training treats or bits of puppy food – In a small bag, pouch, or pocket, having training treats or small pieces of puppy food at the ready is important. When your puppy eliminates appropriately, let them know they’ve done a great job by heaping them with praise and giving them a little delicious positive reinforcement.
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A safe and comfortable crate – A safe and comfortable crate is one of the most important house training tools you can have for your puppy. Not only does this provide a cozy place for your dog to sleep and relax when you’re not around, it helps them to avoid setbacks in the potty training process. The best way to house train a puppy is by avoiding mistakes when at all possible, as each accident can be viewed as something of a setback, and the crate is a simple, useful, and safe way to limit these.
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A potty area – Before digging into house training, designate a potty area for your dog. This is most often a sectioned off spot in the yard, but those who live in high-rise apartments in the city or those with older dogs who may not be able to brave the elements may designate and indoor toileting spot as well.
- Puppy pads (if necessary) – If you are training your puppy or dog to have an indoor toileting space, puppy pads serve a useful purpose. It’s important to note, however, that switching between indoor toileting and outdoor toileting can be confusing for a puppy if your true desire is to keep all elimination outdoors. If you plan to maintain an outdoor elimination schedule, avoiding puppy pads may be a better option. For those adopting senior dogs or dogs who may not be able to make it outside for health reasons, investing in puppy pads is a workable solution to housebreaking.
The House Training Process
The process you use may be different with a current new puppy compared to your previous experiences, and that’s okay. The best way to house train a puppy may be unique to that puppy, and what’s best for one may not be best for another. A basic house training process may look like:
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Start with a routine – Your routine is the most important part of the house training process. This provides the puppy with consistency, as well as plenty of time to learn exactly what you’d like them to do. Your first potty break should be immediately in the morning upon waking, 5 to 10 minutes after eating breakfast, after playtime, after naptime, after lunch or dinner, and before bed. On average, a smaller breed dog will need a minimum of 8 potty breaks per day, while a larger breed dog will require an average minimum of about 6 according to Top Dog Tips.
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Keep focus when outside – While outside, your puppy will be easily distracted. Afterall, the outdoors are filled with interesting smells, sounds, and sights. It’s important that potty time is left to potty time, however. Keep your dog in their designated potty area and limit any distractions they may face. If they do get distracted, help to redirect them to what their business outside is. If a puppy is in a particularly playful mood, you may ignore your puppy’s invitations to play until they get back to the matter at hand.
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If they don’t go, use the crate to your advantage – Sometimes your puppy won’t be ready to go when on schedule, and this may be particularly apparent if you don’t wait long enough after mealtimes or after a play session. Don’t get discouraged or frustrated with your pup, and don’t give them the opportunity to eliminate indoors. Instead, use the crate to your advantage. If your puppy refuses to eliminate during a potty trip, give them a little crate time, about 5 to 10 minutes, and try again. They’ll naturally avoid accidents while in their den space, and it gives them time to work up a need to go. Having this crate time will also help them to train themselves to hold their bladders or bowels as they grow, according to dog trainer Brandon McMillan.
- Patience and positivity go a long way – Patience and positivity are the two most important things to remember when learning the best way to house train a puppy. Getting frustrated or punishing a puppy for an accident can cause anxiety around bathroom time, and you want to actively reinforce when they do what they’re supposed to. Know that house training is a process, and it’s one that if done well will provide both you and your dog with a level of comfort and confidence for the rest of their lives.
House Breaking Puppies Versus Older Dogs
House breaking a puppy versus house breaking an older dog may require slight differences in your strategies or your process, and it’s best to listen to the individual dog when approaching this. Older dogs rescued from shelters may have health conditions that make house training a challenge, or perhaps they’ve spent most of their lives outdoors and never really needed to learn how to appropriately eliminate in designated spots throughout their lives.
When house breaking or house training an older dog, first take them to see their veterinarian to ensure there are no health issues present that create unique house breaking challenges. If they come back with a clean bill of health, know that it is possible to “teach an old dog new tricks”, you just may need to exercise a little more patience than you would with a more malleable younger pup.
With patience, plenty of positive reinforcement on the ready, a good routine, a sturdy crate, and adaptability to your dog’s needs, you’re well on your way to a successful house training experience for you both. Whether you’re working with an older dog or a younger pup, you’re working to teach your furry best friend the skills that will provide them with confidence and success for the rest of their lives.