Vet Blog

A new puppy… the adorable looks, playful antics, sloppy kisses… and the mess!  Bringing a puppy into the home can be one of life’s great joys and frustrations at the very same time.  Difficulties with the housebreaking process are certainly at the bottom of many a new dog owner’s cry “what was I thinking?”

The key to housebreaking a puppy (relatively) rapidly, is for an owner to be present and to respond appropriately every time an untrained pet urinates and defecates.  This may sound daunting, but it can be accomplished with minimal disruption to the household by using a crate.  Puppies have a natural disinclination against soiling their dens, probably so that in the wild they would not leave behind a strong odor that could attract predators.

A puppy in a crate that is just large enough for it to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably is very unlikely to urinate or defecate where it sleeps.  Do not make the mistake of providing the pet with a crate that is big enough for it to designate one end as the “bedroom” and the opposite as the “bathroom.”  A puppy that has been crated for a few hours, say during the morning while an owner has been at work, is will probably want to relieve itself as soon as the opportunity arises.  When you get home, immediately take the dog to outside.  When the puppy cooperates, reward it lavishly.  Make a complete idiot of yourself.  The more times a pet hears “what a good dog you are, I knew you could do it!” the better.  Treats can also be used, but don’t skimp on the verbal praise.  Pets should be taken outside after they have been crated and after eating, drinking, or sleeping.

Once the puppy has emptied its bladder and bowels, it can be allowed to roam the house as long as someone is available to keep a close eye on things.  If the pet begins to circle or otherwise looks like it is about to have an accident, whisk it right back outside.  The only time that a verbal scolding is helpful is if you are present at the moment that the puppy is urinating or defecating inappropriately.  In these cases, a stern “no” and trip back outside is called for.  Never use any form of physical punishment or scold a dog and “rub its nose in it” when an accident is found after the fact.  These actions only confuse pets and make housebreaking more difficult.

Consistency is the key.  Most puppies that hear a cheerful “good dog” every time they relieve themselves outside and a firm “no” every time an accident occurs will be trained very quickly, sometimes in a matter of just a few days.  Once the training has taken hold, the rules around the crate can be relaxed, and the dog can roam the house without supervision.  If a previously housebroken dog begins to have accidents, call your veterinarian.  Any one of a number of health or behavior issues may be to blame.

Article by:
Jennifer Coates, DVM graduated with honors from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999.  In the years since, she has practiced veterinary medicine in Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado and is the author of several short stories and books, including the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms, Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian.  Dr. Coates lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of pets.