House Training Your Puppies

Ah! September. The kids are back in school. Now is a great time to think about the newest family member, the family puppy.
The best and easiest time for house-training your pet is when he's young. Puppies are open minded and haven't yet developed bad habits. Puppies want to please, and you need to let them know what you expect from him.The most talked about subject in the pet kingdom, is house-training puppies.


The best guidelines for a puppy is that they have one hour of bladder control for each month of age. So a 2 month old puppy can hold his pee for 2 hrs. Plan on taking him out that often.

Like children, puppies learn with rewards, not punishment. The rolled-up newspaper doesn't work. Teach your puppy that your hand is a good thing, for rewards, and praise him lavishly when he does what is expected (when he pees or poops outside).


Choosing your words or phrases (the shorter the better) works the best in puppy training. Make sure everyone in the household uses the same commands for the same expected behavior. For example, when a puppy jumps on you, do not use the same word (like "down", when you use that word to "lie down), use "off" instead. You can use whatever word or short phrase that works best for you and your family, but be consistent.


With puppy house-training, timing is critical. Watch for signs, when a puppy has to "go". If he is sniffing and/or whining, stop what you are doing and take him out. Always take him out after a nap, after eating and after playing. This way you'll save your carpets, and a lot of stress for you and your puppy. The only time you can correct errant behavior is when you catch them squatting. A firm "no" and taking them outside to finish their "business" with praise after they do, will work.Sticking their nose in it after the fact won't work. Blame yourself for lack of diligence and clean up the mess.


Just like children, never let puppies out of sight, it can only mean trouble. This is where crates come in handy, for when you can't watch them for extended periods of time.

When it comes to puppy house-training, there are three essentials to remember. First, consistency, get the whole family on the same page. Second, positive reinforcement. Verbal praise and a pat on the head go a long way. Finally, don't lose your temper, puppies don't understand anger, it stresses them.

Having a new puppy can be very rewarding, and lots of fun. House-training puppies might mean behavior changes will be needed on both sides, yours and you new best friend. Good luck and enjoy!