Housebreaking How-To’s

Indian Springs Animal Clinic, P.C. Robert S. Gaddis, Jr., D.V.M.
1583 Cahaba Valley Road. Pelham, Alabama 35124 ● (205) 988-8654
HOUSEBREAKING HOW-TO’S

To successfully house-train a puppy, your efforts must be consistent and constant. If your puppy is six weeks or older, a regimented and careful training program can produce results in as little as one week’s time. Follow these guidelines, and remember-the key factors in house¬training are persistence and patience.

1. Paper-training WILL NOT train your puppy to go outdoors. It will train him to use the papers. You must take the dog outside at the very beginning of training.
2. Try to be as consistent as possible. Use the same door; take the puppy to the same spot outside, and approximately the same time for morning and evening trips. This will make it easier for your puppy, and train him to both wait at the door when he has to go, and to use the same area outdoors.
3. It is important to take the puppy out early in the morning, after waking from naps, and before retiring at night. Also, after feeding, wait until the puppy starts circling or behaving as if he needs to go (usually 15-30 minutes)-then take him out immediately.
4. Do not take the dog outdoors except when training. Limit the puppy’s time outside to a few minutes, and wait until he is completely house¬trained before allowing him to play outdoors. Otherwise, he will not associate being outside with his training.
5. Remember to praise the dog when he does go outdoors, and to verbally scold him in a loud tone when he goes in the house. Puppies want to please-and it is generally not essential to spank the puppy-in fact, this may be detrimental.
6. It may be necessary to limit nightly food and water for the puppy. Keep the dog within a small confined area at night or when otherwise 1eft alone. Animals do not like to soil their sleeping quarters.
7.  Should the puppy develop diarrhea, do not scold it. Be patient and continue with the training regimen. If the problem continues, consult us for treatment.
Crate Training
The use of a plastic or wire crate to confine your puppy is a very effective way to housebreak him. This teaches him that he can “hold it” by reinforcing the denning instinct. Puppies resist soiling their bedding and, thus learn that they can wait to go outside. The crate should be large enough for the puppy to lie down as well as room for a small bowl. You can expect accidents initially if extended periods of time pass between opportunities to go out. The crate can also be 1eft open when you are home as a “sanctuary” for the puppy, as well as a bed at night. Plastic crates are also the safest way to transport a pet in the car. They act as a protective shell around the pet in a collision, protecting him from most blunt traumas.
Please feel free to ask us for assistance in selection of the appropriate size crate if you choose this method.