Deer Run Animal Hospital
Schererville, IN
(219) 864-7180


HOUSETRAINING TIPS FOR PUPPIES
(and adult dogs too)

Key steps to housetraining dogs and puppies are

  • diligent supervision
  • confinement when unable to supervise
  • a consistent and predictable schedule
  • going outdoors with your dog
  • positive reinforcement
  • avoid negative punishment 
  • Accept that accidents will happen in the beginning 

We need to teach our pups where to potty, not just where not to potty! All this sounds simple enough but in reality it is not always easy.  To get all the details we provide the resources below.  We highly recommend the  APDT housetraining webinar for all new puppy owners!



APDT HOUSETRAINING BASICS WEBINAR  The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has generously provided this very informative free webinar that thoroughly covers all of the basics of housetraining.  A full on-line course that will teach you all you need to know to successfully housebreak any puppy or adult dog! (The download of the webinar may take a few minutes) 

APDT's Keys to Successful Housebreaking A nice handout from the American Association of Dog Trainers (APDT) that summarizes tips on housebreaking your new pup.

Housetraining Your Dog - The Perfect Recipe!   Follow the recipe from Veterinary Behavior Specialist, Dr. Lisa Radosta, and your Puppy Housetraining will come out perfectly!

House Training Basics the Clicker Training Way  From the Karen Pryor Academy, a different twist on house training using the Clicker.

Errorless Housetraining from DogStar Daily  Dr. Ian Dunbar gives great advice on house training on the DogStar Daily Dog Training website.

House-training Basics for Dogs of All Ages From Certified Pet Dog Trainer, Joan Mayer and the Inquisitive Canine Website

DDFL Housetraining Your Puppy From the Denver Dumb Friends League Humane Society.

BF House-training Dogs The Best Friends Society offers their best tips on house-training.

SF-SPCA Puppy Housetraining Checklist  These simple checklists can keep you on track while you are housebreaking your dog.

SF-SPCA Adult Dog Housetraining Checklist

A Foolproof Potty Training Plan from Veterinarian and Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Sophia Yin 

What To Do When Your Puppy Potty Training Plan Fails  More help from Dr. Yin 

Perfect Puppy in 7 Days for even more from Dr. Yin on housetraining and all things puppy, buy her book at this link.  Highly recommended!

Housetraining the Adult Dog Who Has Bad Habits a frustrating problem that needs a positive solution!

CRATE TRAINING & CONFINEMENT: 
The Secret to safe and rapid Housetraining

Creative Commons photo by rossination 

APDT Crate Training Handout  A crate can be an invaluable tool for teaching a dog to eliminate outside the house, and is one of the quickest ways to help housetrain your dog.  A crate also provides a safe haven for your dog when you need to be away.

How to Crate Train Your Dog this link takes you to the great Karen Pryor Academy's clickertraining.com website.  Although this article has a holiday theme, it contains fantastic suggestions for making your pup's crate a fun and happy experience.  Highly recommended reading for all crate trainers!

DDFL Crate Training Your Dog From The Denver Dumb Friends League Humane Shelter

BF Crate Training: The Benefits for You and Your Dog  From the Best Friends Animal Society

SF-SPCA Confinement and Crate Training  More great tips from the San Francisco SPCA

Chew Toys & Food Toys Dont forget to offer super tasty food toys and chew toys when you are crate training.

OTHER POTTY ISSUES

DDFL Submissive and Excitement Urination

BF Submissive and Excitement Urination in Dogs

Urine Marking in Dogs