Three steps to a housetrained dog

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It's crucial to start housetraining as soon as possible--ideally, the day your new dog or puppy comes home. The habits your pup forms now can set the precedent for weeks, months, or even years to come, so a little effort now saves lots of time and frustration later on. Once you've set up your home with the proper supplies, you can get started.

Housetraining is quite simple, but the program you follow will vary depending on your situation.

The "you've got a yard or a dog old enough to go outside" program

Then you're ready to start. Here are the three steps to fail-proof housetraining:

1. Keep your dog in her crate, with a few stuffed chewtoys to keep her entertained, when you're not playing with her or watching her closely. This is also where she'll sleep. A crated pup will "hold it" to avoid soiling her sleeping area.

2. Release your puppy or dog from the crate every hour and quickly run her--on leash if necessary--to a toilet area outside. It's best to use the same area each time so pick a spot that's convenient for poop-scooping. Tell her to eliminate, using a phrase that you don't use in normal conversation, such as "Go pee or poop!" or "Do your business!" Give her about three minutes to go, standing still and letting her circle, which is normal dog behavior, before eliminating. Most puppies will pee at each bathroom break, and poop every two to three breaks.

3. Praise her enthusiastically immediately after she pees or poops and reward her with freeze-dried liver treats. It's a good idea to stash some treats in a screw-top jar near the toilet area so you'll have them close at hand. Offer one treat for going anywhere outside, two treats for going within five yards of the exact area you want the dog to use, three treats for within two yards, and five treats for a bull's eye.

After she's gone, take her back inside for a play or training session for a half hour or so. If your dog's old enough to safely venture into the outside world (three months of age at the earliest), take her for a post-poop walk as an additional reward.

The "you've got a pup and no yard" program

Then you'll need to teach your pup to use an indoor toilet until she's  [Continued]

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