What's the easiest way to house break a dog?

Question

And how long should it take? I've been trying to potty train my pup (she's about 5 months) for the last 3 months... She's been doin' good recently, but hasn't fully grasped it.

Answer 1

Do NOT use pee pads. This teaches your dog that it is ok to go in the house and confuses him.

Always keep him in the same room as you so you can keep an eye on him. If he wanders too much get a leash and tie him near you so you can watch. As soon as he starts to go tell him no no no no and run him outside. When he goes outside praise him. As he becomes more trustable you can let him have 2 rooms at a time and eventually you won't need to watch him at all.

If you can't watch him or are gone put him in a crate. Make sure the crate is only bid enough for him to lie down, turn around and stand up in. Also don't put any blankets or stuff like that in there until he learns. Otherwise the pee gets soaks up and he doesn’t care that he messed his crate. Most dogs will not go where they sleep. This will also set your dog up for success. Since he can't go in the house because he is in a crate or being watched and corrected then he won't have a chance to get away with and think, well, if mommy's not home I can pee on the carpet! and it will take much longer to re-train the more often he goes.

Do not leave his water or food out. After he eats or drinks find out how long it will take for him to have to go. Then get him outside when he'll need to go and reward him for going potty outside.

Take him out before bed and before going in his crate, and don't give him food or water 2 hours before bed or being in a crate for a few hours.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I have a 3 month old boxer, and I have been going with the crate method ever since I have gotten him, and believe me, it works wonders. You start off by buying a crate that's only big enough for it to stand up, sit down, and turn around in. Whenever you are not able to supervise the puppies every move, and I do mean whenever, crate her. That way you will minimize accidents in the house. The dog will then think of the crate as a den and dogs loathe eliminating in their den.

When the time comes for her to come out of the crate, take her outside IMMEDIATELY. Once you take her out and she goes, praise, praise, praise, and more praise. Do no play with her until she gets back into the house, so she won't associate playing with going to the bathroom. That's pretty much it. Of course it takes persistence and you will have the inevitable accident, but its extremely important that you take any accidents as just that, an accident, and do not scold the dog.

If you see her in the going to the bathroom stance in the house, do something to distract her, and then take her outside. Whatever you do, don't use the pee pads because they encourage the dog to go on the inside, and that is not consistent with the idea with going outside.

I listed some crate training websites for you also.

Answer 3

I think it all depends on the dog. My now 2 year old dog took until 6 months to fully potty train, and my puppy, now only 4 months was potty trained since 3 months (THANK GOD). I got really lucky with this last one. But I just take them outside often until they pee and tell them GOOD. If they have an accident in the house I just say NO and put them outside for a few mintues.

Answer 4

There is also a biology factor - they can't hold it through the night until her bladder has developed enough to "hold it" through the night. Mine were probably about 8 months old when they could hold it.

In the mean time - you will have to take the puppy out every few hours. Say something like "go tee tee'" or "go potty" - what ever phrase you want to use. When your puppy does it - praise her - a lot. Make it the biggest deal. It's OK if the neighbors think you are a nut job.

At night - confine the puppy. I crate trained mine. However, I put their crates in my room. They would start to get restless in the middle of the night and that was the sign that I needed to get up and take them out. Again - same routine outside.

If you catch the puppy in the act of going potty in the house - holler "no" - tell them 'bad dog" etc. Immediately take them out side and tell them "go potty". When the puppy does his business outside - praise him. Eventually - the dog puts it together - in the house gets me in trouble - in the yard gets me petting/attention.

I taught mine to go to the door when they want out. When you go to take the puppy out - stop at the door. Put the puppy in a sit (obviously puppy has to know how to sit). Once the puppy sits - open the door. Do this each time you take the puppy through the door. Eventually the puppy learns that sitting at the door makes it open.

Right now - I think it may be her bladder just has not developed enough.

Answer 5

I would definately use the crate method. It might also help to put a bell on the door and when she has to go out, make her ring the bell first. She will soon learn that when she wants to go out she has to ring the bell. Also, try going out with her on the leash. That way, she won't get distracted as easily. When she's finished doing her buisness, let her off the leash and run around for a bit, making sure to tell her that she's a good girl. If she pees in the house, don't get too upset. Just take her back outside and don't let her back in until you've cleaned up the mess. Also, usually when they leak like that they still have something left, so try and make sure she goes before you let her back in. Set a time limit so you don't leave her out for too long. It's a long process, but it will work out eventually. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 6

potty training a dog is hard. you should of started with the potty mats from the day you got your dog. if your dog pees on the mat reward her and make sure she isn't scared of it. this should take at least a good week. or make her used to a leash so she nows if she wants to pee its outside. take your dogs at least 3 times a day or just try staying outside with her. or if you have friends and they have girl dogs let your dog spend a day with them outside. or just take them to petsmart they will do the work for you.

Answer 7

Crate training and consistency. Puppies get confused if you let it be ok sometimes and not others. Firm 'no' does good... not physical reprimands.
Depending on your schedule I have always never let the puppy eat or drink after 6pm....
Puppies will ahve accidents occasionally too... but dogs aim to please, if you are adament about it and use rewards for good behavior he/she will grasp it.

Answer 8

Consistency.

Answer 9

after i feed my dog i would take him outside immediately and play or just sit with him and when he went to the bathroom i gave him a treat and praised him then we would go back inside...i did the same if he drank a lot of water at once....then as time went on i let him stay inside longer after he ate...he knew that to get a treat he had to use the bathroom outside and he caught on quick....the tuff part was at night but he soon learned to lick my hand to go out....this only works if your dog is treat motivated....

Answer 10

If she's doing good recently, then stay consistent with what you are doing. She's probably right on track.

I'm a crate training fan but if what you are doing is working, stick with it and be super-consistent.