Housebreaking Tips

Instinctively, dogs will not toilet in the area in which they lie.  But that's a relatively small area and it takes training for your dog to understand where it is acceptable, and unacceptable, to do her business.

Whether you've just adopted a puppy, an adult dog, or a shelter dog, the most effective way to get your message across is with positive reinforcement.  Select a designated toilet spot outside and praise her lavishly for using that area.  Decide what word of phrase you want to use as a cue and prompt her with that phrase whenever you take her to the potty spot.  Make sure you give praise as she's almost finished so that you're reinforcing the act of peeing or pooping.  (My daughter's timing was a little off and her dog Lucy used to think that "go potty" meant squatting!)

If you've adopted a shelter dog, you may find the housebreaking process to be a little more challenging.  Depending on how much time your new friend lived in the shelter, she may have become desensitized to pee and poop in her living area. Restrict her access to the house and keep your eyeballs on her at all times so you can catch her if she's about to go. 

It is very important to limit your dog's opportunities for having accidents--it's those mistakes that are going to hinder your housebreaking efforts.  Unless you catch her in the act, you cannot correct her!

Crate-training is the easiest path to housebreaking.  For those of you who have a problem with crate-training your dog, please keep in mind that dogs are den animals and need a place of their own.  It's no different than having your own room.  Bella loves her crate and often puts herself in it for naps or in the evening when she wants to go to sleep. 

If your dog has an accident, it's YOUR fault.  Review the situation and figure out what you did, or did not do, that enabled your dog to have the accident.

A dog is considered housebroken if she's been accident-free for six months.  Until then, do not give her free access to the rest of the house. 

Good luck!