There are several techniques that can be used to house train a new puppy. All of them are effective if implemented correctly. It is important with a young puppy that you monitor when they eat and drink. Only allow them to eat and drink while you are watching them. It is not wise to leave a young dog unattended with food and water. Puppies will go to the bathroom shortly after they eat or drink. Therefore, it is important to take them out immediately after they have anything to eat or drink. You want to eliminate any chance for a puppy to use the bathroom in the house. The more that you can get them to use the bathroom in the desired place, the quicker they will learn. If your puppy is able to use the bathroom in the house, it will take longer for them to learn they need to go outside. It is important that you try and prevent any bathroom use in the house. If your dog uses the bathroom in the house, it is important that you catch them as soon as possible; preferably before they even finish. Grab your puppy and sternly tell them “no.” You can stick their nose down toward the place where they had the accident but do not actually stick their face in the accident (it is unhealthy and can cause infection and disease). This will teach your dog that using the bathroom in the house is unacceptable. If your puppy has an accident, quickly take them outside to the desired bathroom area and walk them around telling them to “go pee,” or whatever command phrase you choose. These accident prevention tactics should be used with whatever house training technique you choose.
It is important to teach your dog where it is inappropriate to go to the bathroom. More importantly however, is that they learn where they SHOULD use the bathroom. To assist in teaching this to your puppy you should follow a few important steps: When house training, do not allow your dog to go outside and run around freely. They should be kept on a leash and be told to “go pee,” or whatever command phrase you want to use. Just opening your back door and letting your dog run around in a fenced in yard will not teach them to use the bathroom outside. Going out to use the bathroom should not feel like free play time. It should be obvious to your puppy that you are trying to teach acceptable behavior. Always take your puppy out the same door and to the same part of the yard. This will help the dog establish a routine to associate with going to the bathroom. Once your dog understands this routine, you will find that you will spend less and less time outside before your dog uses the bathroom. Also, once your dog is house trained, they will go sit by the door they associate with going to the bathroom to let you know they need to go out. Always reward your dog for using the bathroom outside. Keep treats in your pocket when you take them out. Continually repeat your bathroom command when you are outside. Once they use the bathroom tell them they have done right by speaking in a happy voice. Immediately give them a treat and love and affection. A normal routine should be started for going outside. Puppies have to go to the bathroom rather frequently. You should take your puppy out once or twice an hour at first. You want to keep this routine for at least a couple of weeks. Once your puppy begins to get older you can start going out less and less.
A young puppy will not be able to make it all the way through the night without using the bathroom. You will have to get up a few times through the night to take them out. To make this easier, be sure that your puppy does not get any food or water for at least an hour before you go to bed. Also be sure to take them out right before you retire for the day. It is a good idea to have a puppy sleep in the same room as you so that you can hear them if they wake up and need to go out.