If you have ever brought a new puppy home from the shelter or a breeder, you know how essential it is to get that tiny ball of fur housebroken as quickly as possible. But potty training a puppy usually takes patience, consistency and – of course, time. The good news is that the more time you are willing to commit to the process at the beginning, the less time your puppy may take to learn his lessons well. Remember, before you bring your puppy home, prepare well for the process, and you and your puppy will be on the road to a long, happy life together.

The Advantages of Crate Training
Many dog owners have become quite partial to crate training as a means of potty training a puppy, and with good reason. A crate can perform a multitude of functions for your puppy. For starters, it will offer a secure place for your pet to rest and sleep. And, restricting your puppy to the crate when you are gone will ensure that your home will still be in one piece upon your return. And finally, using a crate for house training your puppy will teach your dog to hold his urge to eliminate until he is in the proper location to do so. Most dogs will not eliminate in their crate because they know not to go to the bathroom in the same space that they sleep in.

Before placing your puppy in his crate for a period of time, you must make sure that he has time outside to potty. When you let your pet out of the crate, you should always take him outside straight away. A crate can be a excellent training tool when you are away from home, or if you are involved in an activity for a period of time that will keep you from watching your puppy sufficiently.

Don’t forget that puppies should not be left in a crate all day, although they can sleep in one throughout the night. If you work all day, do your best to return home for lunch to give your pet a break, or have someone else come by your home to do so.

Paper Training
Paper training does not mean using a rolled newspaper to hit your pet when he potties in the house. This is without doubt the most ineffective means of house training a puppy that there is. Paper training actually refers to indoor puppy potty training, where you teach your puppy to go to the bathroom on papers or training pads that you put on the floor for him. This method of potty training for puppies is generally best done when you can restrict your puppy to one room in the house, such as the utility room. Whenever you see your pet begin to nose around the floor like he is looking for a spot, take your pup to the paper potty. When he gets this process down, move the papers closer to the door. With time your puppy will learn to go to the door when he needs to go to the bathroom.

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how to housebreak puppy
Puppy potty training
Potty training your puppy may be challenging, but it is far from impossible. With a bit of patience and consistency, your puppy potty training will succeed much sooner than you might think possible.