Puppies can be introduced to the concept of housebreaking as early as 5 weeks old, while they are still with their mother. Puppies have a natural instinct to stay clean and to eat and sleep in a different area than the one in which they eliminate. Therefore, as soon as puppies are eliminating on their own and mobile enough to navigate the whelping pen, they can begin to learn to use a specific area for soiling. Breeders can use this natural instinct by putting a box of litter into the whelping pen and seeding it with a liquid urine scent. Within a few days, most puppies will begin to use the litter box on their own. Toy breeds of dogs tend to mature more slowly and may take longer to develop their natural inclination to keep the area clean and use the box, but even they can learn to use one area before they leave their mother. For toy breeds that have trouble climbing over the sides of a box, a pad on the floor can be used. Because puppies tend to eat anything they can pick up, it is important not to use a clumping clay type of cat litter and to use either a pellet-type paper product or wood shavings instead.
Once at home
Puppies that have been exposed to the use of a litter box or pad are generally easier to housebreak when they go to their new homes. However, they probably will have developed a substrate preference for the material they have become accustomed to using. This means if they are accustomed to eliminating on a surface of pressed paper pellets, for example, they will want to continue to use that surface. You can use this to your advantage by either placing a box with the same material near the door you want your puppy to use or by placing the same type of pellets on the ground outside where you want him to eliminate. Use of the same liquid urine scent will help with the transition and a few drops on the litter will attract the puppy.
Getting set for success
Your goal for the puppy is to have him succeed at housebreaking and to have as few “accidents” as possible. For that to happen, the puppy will need to be confined to a relatively small area at first so that he can easily find the box or the door to the outside. Dog ex-pens, baby gates, and crates are excellent ways to keep the puppy in a small area until he has learned to eliminate outside or use the box/pad reliably. A small room for larger breed puppies and an area of about 8 by 4 feet for smaller breed puppies is a good rule of thumb. Set up the area for the dog in a room with a floor that can be easily cleaned, such as in a kitchen. The area should have a bed or crate at one end, along with food and water dishes. If you use a litter box, place it as far from the food and bed as possible. If you want the puppy to go outside, place the bed and food as far from the door to the outside as possible. The idea is to make it easy for the puppy to identify the difference between the area in which they eat and sleep and the area you want them to use to eliminate. If you are playing with the puppy or have him out of the small area, you can keep him on a leash so he does not wander around and eliminate in the house. This makes it easier to keep the puppy close and keep track of what he's doing. A bell can be fastened to the puppy’s collar while you are using the leash and then you can hear where he is or know he is awake.
Crates for bedtime
The housebreaking training will go faster if the puppy sleeps in a crate at night and is confined to a crate when no one is around to watch him. The crate needs to be small enough to feel like a cozy little cave with just enough room for the puppy to move around. For more information of selecting a crate for your dog, see Crating Dogs.
When used correctly, the crate will help the puppy understand housebreaking because he will not want to soil the crate he sleeps in. At 8 weeks of age a puppy should be able to sleep through the night (for eight hours) as long as he has an empty bladder and bowels when put in the crate. However, during the day he will need to get out to exercise and play. A good rule of thumb is to not crate the puppy longer than one hour for each month of age.
Setting up a schedule
Each time the puppy goes outside you must go with him - even if you have a fenced yard. This is because it is vital that you praise the puppy each time he eliminates where you want him to. If the puppy is encouraged to go to the same spot, it is not only easier to clean up feces but will also keep the area more sanitary and more family friendly.
Keeping a regular schedule for trips outside is one of the best things you can do to help you puppy learn what you expect. Some puppies may need to go out more often to establish and elimination location and to start a schedule. Your goal should be to take the puppy outside to eliminate first thing in the morning, after every meal, before and after every nap and play time, and always right before going to bed at night. Take the puppy outside with you using a leash if you do not have a fenced yard. As you go out, tell the puppy you are going “outside,” repeating yourself over and over until you get outside. In time the puppy will associate the word "outside" with the behavior of going to the door and going out. Once outside the most important order of business is to eliminate. This means play time must wait until after the puppy has done what he went outside to do.
Rewards for good behavior
Don’t talk to the puppy or play with him when you first get outside. Simply walk over to the area you want him to use and wait quietly while he sniffs and explores. The moment he urinates or defecates, reward him with praise using a soft and gentle tone. A small treat will also help to make a positive impression. Once he is finished, then it can be time for playing. The play time itself is a reward; however, keep in mind that if you are outside playing for a while, the puppy will need to eliminate again before going back inside. Each time he does his business outside, lavish praise on him. Puppies love to please their humans, and praising them lets them know when they have done so. Do keep in mind that when you are giving your puppy attention through praise or play, he will concentrate on you and not on what he is doing. This is why it is important to ignore him when you want him to do to do his business.
When accidents happen
Your goal is for the puppy to not have accidents in the house. But, of course, accidents in the house will happen. When they do it is important that you respond appropriately. If you catch the puppy having the accident you must react immediately by correcting and instructing him in what you do want him to do. Raise your voice a bit and say “outside.” If you are lucky, you will startle him enough to interrupt the flow. Then quickly usher him outside and follow up with lots of praise when he continues his business. Do not use “no” because you don’t want the puppy to associate the command with urinating and defecating; you simply want him to do it in a different place.
If you don’t catch your puppy in the act, it is very important that you do not do anything except clean up the mess. Use a pet-safe product designed to remove odors that may prompt a future accident in the same location. Once the deed is done, the puppy has no idea what you mean if you tell him he did something wrong. Puppies understand the present. Even a few seconds after the deed is done is too late. Chalk it up to an accident, clean up the mess, and forget about it. Then promise yourself to be more vigilant about taking the puppy outside and heaping on the rewards for good behavior.
Build on success
As the puppy grows and begins to understand what you want, gradually give him more freedom. After successful trips outside, an empty puppy can spend some time in the living room or playing in another area of the house as long as you remember that another trip outside is going to be needed soon. Try to be consistent using one door to go outside, and make sure the puppy goes to the door by himself. Do not carry him to the door or place him outside, even if he is very small. A puppy needs to learn the process of going to the door and going outside on his own. Remember to continue to say “outside” as you go to the door, and be sure to praise him when he is successful. It may be tempting to allow him to go out alone, but don’t skip the important part of reinforcing his success with praise. Time spent now will reap benefits later.
Older dog and puppies
When you adopt an older dog or puppy that has not had previous training or exposure to a litter box, the same process can be used. It may take longer for the older dog to understand the concept, especially if he has never lived in a house before. One good trick is to put a leash on your dog and tie him to your belt or around your waste whenever you are in the house. Take the dog with you as you move around the house during the day. This way you can be alert to signs that he needs to go and can catch him in the act rather than finding him doing his business in another room. The idea is to build confidence and ensure success early on by keeping the dog as close to you as possible. Be sure to heap on the praise and rewards whenever your dog eliminates outside. Even older dogs want to please their humans.
Elizabeth Wells, Ph.D. - Michigan State University
