WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF HOUSEBREAKING Housebreaking a puppy is perhaps one of the greatest challenges of owning a dog. Housebreaking can be trying for both the puppy and the owner, but by following a few simple tips the process can be a lot easier and much shorter lived.                                                     THE RULES House Training Rule Number One: This is The Most Important Rule – If you don't catch your puppy doing it - then don't punish him for it! House Training Rule Number Two: Praise your puppy when things go right. Don't let this be a situation where your only action is saying "No" when they are caught in the midst of using the wrong area. If they do it right – let them know!                                            CRATE TRAINING When attempting to housebreak a puppy, choose one method and stick with it. One of the more popular training methods makes use of a crate (also called a kennel). Crates can be purchased in many sizes and become a safe haven for the dog when you cannot keep your eye on it. A dog's instinct will generally keep it from going inside of the crate; when you take the puppy out and immediately put it in the area where you want it to go "potty," you'll slowly teach it that the indoor area of your home is an extension of the crate and they should never go indoors. This will take a couple weeks, but most dogs pick up on it quickly because it builds on their natural instincts.                                         CONSISTENCY IS KEY Whatever method you choose, you need to stick with it, and keep a strict schedule. If you try different methods you'll confuse the puppy and it won't know where and when to go. Puppies thrive on consistency, so as inconvenient as it may be at times, stay consistent with your housebreaking efforts. Also, if the puppy begins communicating when it needs to go, respond promptly and consistently to those signals.                                         EXPECT SETBACKS When housebreaking, you have to remember that to your puppy everything is exciting and new and even a bit overwhelming. The reason you need to remember this is that your puppy is going to make mistakes, even if you do everything exactly right. If you catch your puppy in the act of going potty where it shouldn't, you should scold it and put it in the area where it should go. If you don't catch them, however, scolding them will only confuse them. While you should expect setbacks, you also need to celebrate small victories. Every time your puppy goes where it should, praise it. Consistently addressing setback and praising accomplishment also encourages housebreaking behaviors and discourages mistakes .                                    PICK A SPOT AND STICK TO IT Pick a bathroom spot outside near the door, and always take your puppy to that spot using a leash. Take him out for a longer walk or some playtime only after he has eliminated. If you clean up an accident in the house, take the soiled rags or paper towels and leave them in the bathroom spot. The smell will help your puppy recognize the area as the place he is supposed to eliminate. While your puppy is eliminating, use a word or phrase, like "go potty," that you can eventually use before he eliminates to remind him what to do.                                 REGULAR FEEDING SCHEDULE Put your puppy on a regular feeding schedule and feed a high-quality diet to make housetraining easier. Depending on their age, puppies usually need to be fed three or four times a day. Feeding your puppy at the same times each day will make it more likely that he'll eliminate at consistent times as well, and that makes housetraining easier for both of you.