Quick Tips: Housetraining

Have a pooch who likes to pee and poop in the house? When I fostered a 4-to-5-month-old puppy recently, I had to brush up on my own housetraining skills.

One basic rule of housetraining: do NOT punish the pup for making a puddle or a pile in the parlor. She is only doing what comes naturally. If she's a puppy, all the more reason to be patient. They can hold it only so long. It's your job to teach her where to go, and it's your job to manage things until she ‘gets’ it. There's a variety of techniques for house training. Here's one:

When you bring your dog home, puppy or full grown, confine him in a dog-proofed area, such as the kitchen, playroom or a mudroom. Place his bed at one end of the space and newspaper or pee pads at the other, just in case. Use babygates or a corral to keep him confined. Every hour, take him outside on a leash and escort him to his pee area. Wait patiently until he relieves himself. It may take a while. Just be patient. When he finally squats or lifts his leg to pee, pause until he's close to being done, say "YES!", begin praising him lavishly and offer him a yummy treat. If you are a using the clicker method, click when you think he's almost done, then give him that yummy treat. Also, keep that praise coming. Over time, he'll learn that peeing/pooping outside is not only what you want, but it's much more rewarding for him. Eventually, he'll get the message and it will become second nature.

Puppies should go outside hourly without fail. Adult dogs who are becoming acclimated to a new home should be taken out at least every two hours the first couple of days. If your puppy or dog is inside and assumes the position to pee or poop, be calm. Say a word or phrase (“Outside!,” “Let’s go Potty!”) and escort her outside to her pee spot. Then wait. You probably startled her, so she'll probably take a few minutes to relax before she can relieve herself. When she does, say "YES!" or Click, praise her lavishly and, if you were able to grab one on the way out, give her a cookie as reward for doing it right.