How to Housebreak Your Dog
Having trouble teaching Fido where to use the bathroom? Don’t fret! Housebreaking can be as easy as 1-2-3!
A very important factor in housebreaking is ROUTINE. Feeding the dog at the same time and the same amount everyday is important. Once you get to know your dog’s system, you will be able to anticipate when potty breaks are necessary. Stick with the same high quality diet. Switching his food suddenly or using a low quality dog food can give him loose stools and make it harder for him to hold it while you are gone.
PICK ONE WORD that the dog can associate with bathroom breaks to help the dog understand what you want him to do. For example, while you are outside, tell him to “GO POTTY.” When he goes, begin to praise him using the word “Good potty Fido!” Be consistent with the word you use so the dog does not become confused. Take the dog to the same general spot every time and keep him on leash. This way he will become familiar with what you want him to do when you go to this spot. REMEMBER TO PRAISE HIM WHEN HE GOES OUTSIDE!
CRATE TRAINING is a great tool in helping housebreak Fido. Dogs do not like to mess in their crate. A crate is an indoor kennel that provides the dog with a den when you are not home to supervise him. He should have enough room to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. If there is more room than that, he may use the bathroom in the crate. If you have a puppy, you can block some of the crate off and move the divider as the dog grows. You will want to exercise him before and after leaving to give him ample time to use the bathroom. When you leave, put him in his crate with a favorite toy. Do not put food or water in the crate. For more information see our article on crate training.
It is important to SUPERVISE your dog closely while housebreaking. Keeping him in the same room with you will help keep him from being able to use the bathroom without you seeing it. If he does have an accident, make a loud noise to get his attention (hopefully he will stop going to the bathroom) and then quickly take him outside and praise him for going there. Clean the mess up with a product made specifically for animal elimination such as Nature’s Miracle. DO NOT rub his nose in it or hit him - that will only confuse the dog and make him scared of you! Instead, try to head off the problem in the first place by becoming familiar with signs your dog may give you before he has to go to the bathroom so you may start to take him outside before he goes. Dogs do what works for them so positive reinforcement is the best way to communicate with your dog.
