Housebreaking

When the dog is not with you, within your sight, he needs to either be safely outside, confined to one room or in a crate. This crate should be just large enough for him to stand up in, turn around in and lie down comfortably in. Most dogs, in a crate this size, will not urinate unless they have been crated for too long or they have some urinary tract problem. Judge the time your dog can be left in the crate by the number of months in age plus one, i.e. 4 months old = 5 hours. I don't recommend keeping a dog in a crate longer than 5 hours except for overnight.

When not in the crate or outdoors, the dog must be watched. This can be facilitated by keeping him on a leash and stationing him in each room you are in within your sight. To station a dog, have him on a leash and fasten the leash to a chair or table. The leash should be long enough so the dog can be comfortable. An excellent alternative to the leash is a portable pet pen.

Provide your dog with something to lie on, a non-tippable water bowl and a toy - in each room. When you leave the room, take the dog with you and "station" him in the next room. When stationed in this way, you can watch your dog any indication of a need to eliminate. You can act immediately and take the dog out; preventing any accidents in the house.

If you notice your dog circling and sniffing around (a sign that he needs to eliminate), use a cue phrase to "ask" him if he needs to go. Act excited if he makes any response and take him out.

Stay with your dog outdoors to make sure that he does eliminate. If he does, give your dog a tasty treat immediately. After just 5 seconds, the dog won't understand that he's getting the treat for eliminating in the proper place.

Anticipate that dogs usually will need to eliminate after eating, upon waking and after playing. Feeding should be done on a consistent schedule, to encourage regular elimination.

If you do discover an accident in the house, don't chastise your dog. This is very important. If even a few minutes have passed, the dog can't connect the reprimand with the act of eliminating in the house. Yelling at your dog after the fact causes confusion and anxiety which makes housebreaking more difficult. Thoroughly clean any area that has been urinated in with an enzyme odor neutralizer.

If you do catch your dog in the act in the house, you can clap your hands to get your dog's attention. Take the dog immediately outside and praise lavishly if he eliminates outside.

This method should be continued for a few weeks, and reinforced if any accidents happen later (ones not related to urinary tract problems or old age) .