Housebreaking a puppy can be a fairly simple process—but that’s not to say it’s easy: success requires patience, consistency, most of all, diligence!

Being a Fear Free-certi�ed hospital means we have specialized trainingin procedures, practices and tactics to help your pet be calmer andless fearful while in our hospital. You can �nd more information and

pet training tips on our website at https://funkstownvet.com/canine-housetraining/

Here are the steps for housebreaking a puppy:

HOUSEBREAKING 101

TURN YOUR PUPPY INTO A “GO-PRO”!

Find a treat that your pet �nds delectable and cut it into very small pieces, and then only give it when you are house breaking.

Keep your puppy in a relatively small area or con�ned to the room that you are in so that you can observe for any behaviors that may signal that your puppy needs to eliminate.

When you see circling or sni�ng the ground more than usual or other signals that are unique to your puppy, pick your puppy up and calmly take him outside to the desired spot. Always take your puppy to the same spot, tell him to “go potty” or whatever command you want to use. Make sure that everyone in the household is using the same command.

Puppies are easily distracted, so if your puppy doesn’t eliminate in a couple of minutes, go back into the house. You may go back out and have the puppy to try to eliminate again in a few minutes.

Feeding your puppy a set amount of food at set times will also help your puppy eliminate on a more regular schedule.

Most puppies instinctively need to eliminate after eating, drinking, playing, resting, sleeping or being con�ned. Plan to take your pet out 5 to 30 minutes after these.

When your puppy begins to eliminate, gently praise him. When he �nishes eliminating, immediately reward him and praise him enthusiastically. Over time you will want to remove the treat rewards and only continue the praise reward.

Preventing accidents is key! Since accidents are our fault don’t scold your puppy; simply remove the puppy from the room, quietly clean up the mess, and deodorize the area.

Careful attention is needed to prevent accidents. Watching for signals and learning your puppy’s needs will help. The more you are home with your puppy, the easier housebreaking will be.

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