When I was house training my puppy I realized that there were certain principles which were important to follow if the puppy was going to be potty trained quickly and easily, with minimum upset to the dog and minimum mess in the house. Here are what I consider to be the 3 golden rules of house training my puppy.
1. Love and patience
Puppies, like babies, need lots of love and patience as they start to learn their way around the world. When a puppy first comes into your home it is likely to be a traumatic time, even if you are very affectionate with him.
Remember that he has suddenly been taken away from his mother and siblings into a strange environment with people and maybe other animals that he does not know. He may have had a long car journey like nothing he has known before. His food may be new and unfamiliar. Your house may be colder, warmer, noisier, quieter or smell different than he is used to.
So when he first arrives he is likely to suffer from a little stress. Dogs, like humans, tend to suffer from digestive disorders when they are stressed. Keep this in mind and be very patient with him through the training.
2. Set a schedule
I found that house training my puppy in the fastest way meant setting a firm schedule. Feeding times need to be consistent from day to day. You will need to feed in the morning and evening at the same times every day and then give the puppy a chance to do the toilet outside afterward.
This is not always easy if you do not follow a regular schedule yourself - for example, if you are used to getting up later on weekends, or if you work shifts. But while you are house training a puppy it is vital. Dogs need boundaries and schedules both psychologically and physically. Your puppy will be house trained much faster if his digestive system has a schedule to follow.
3. Do not punish
There is no point in punishing or being angry with a puppy who has a toilet accident in the house. A puppy cannot understand that something as natural as doing his business could be bad, and they will just get scared if they are punished for it.
Instead, remind him in a loving way that the place for doing the toilet is outside. Don't take him outside right after the accident because that will reward the unwanted behavior. But take him out after he eats and be real pleased with him when he does his business outside at those times.
Of course, be sure to make going outside a fun and happy time as well, so that he associates going outside for the toilet with happiness. This was the best way for me when I was house training my puppy.
