House Training
The principles underlying house training are very simple. You want to teach your puppy to eliminate on a specific surface or in a specific location, while at the same time preventing him from developing a habit of eliminating on any unacceptable surfaces or areas. Following are some tips for successful house training. Ask your veterinarian about paper training if it is not practical to take your puppy outdoors to eliminate.
Keep Your Puppy within Eyesight
Prevent your puppy from starting any bad habits in the home by keeping him within eyesight of a family member 100 percent of the time. When this can't be done, your puppy should be confined to a relatively small, safe area. Your puppy should be under supervision or confined until he has gone at least four consecutive weeks without soiling in the home.
Create a Schedule
Teach your puppy where to eliminate by frequently taking him to the desired area and allowing him to sniff around. Your puppy should go out shortly after he eats, plays, wakes up from a nap, before confinement and whenever he sniffs around like he has to eliminate. Feed your puppy two to three times daily on a regular schedule. Avoid feeding your puppy for an hour before confinement and before bedtime.
Reward Good Behavior
As your puppy eliminates, quietly praise him, and when he finishes, give a Science Diet© Puppy Treat or Science Diet© Puppy kibble as a reward. Reward him immediately, not after he returns indoors.
Accidents Happen
Puppies are not perfect and messes will occur. When this happens, do not make the mistake of punishing your puppy. This will damage your relationship and may actually slow down house training. If you catch your puppy in the act of eliminating in an unacceptable area, make a sharp noise (clap your hands, stomp the floor) without saying anything. You just want to interrupt the behavior, not do anything that will frighten your puppy. Then, immediately take your puppy outdoors to finish. Be sure to clean up any odor from floors and carpeting to help prevent resoiling. Wash bedding regularly and take your puppy out during the night if necessary, as sleeping on soiled bedding could slow down your puppy's house training.
