by Debbie Paulsen

Created on: October 28, 2008   Last Updated: September 04, 2009

If you want to properly train your puppy to be an enjoyable member of your family, we are talking house training your puppy, so you do not have to clean up puddles, and, yuk, piles. First of all remember this word, it is the most important word you need to know when training any animal, young or old. Consistency.

With that in mind let us proceed. I recommend getting a few things in order prior to the arrival of your bundle of joy. Not just bowls, food, color coordinated leash and collar, and squeaky toys. Those are the fun things. You have a couple other things to take care of first.

Very important before your puppy arrives be sure your carpeting and floors are freshly cleaned. Pay careful attention to carpeting. Use a good odor neutralizer like Febreeze. This is to make sure Jr. doesn't start out with unfair footing. If there have been past accidents, or even heavy foot traffic areas, that may smell of earth, or soil to a dog, the spot will kind of beg to be used as as a potty.

Another not so fun part, invest in a good quality, proper size kennel. Trust me, it will save you and your puppy many exasperating moments. I have witnessed couches eaten alive, very expensive leather cowboy boots chewed to bits. Need I go on? That is the chewing that is amusing. Another point of crating when your puppy is alone is the danger of electrical plugs. Of Course the final reason to employ crating is to confine messes. You have your puppy, you have your carpets clean, you have your crate. What now?

You are of course going to go through the initial excitement of introductions, and new home smells, and new surroundings. Try to do this in stages. When you arrive home in the car, walk your most likely already excited puppy, to where you would like the 'business' done. Most likely puppy will go. Praise puppy, and be sure to use the word or phrase you wish to associate with pottying outside. By the way, Potty Outside, gotta potty outside, works pretty well. Outdoor excitements at a conclusion proceed inside.

If we are dealing with a very young puppy keep this thought, What goes in, will come out. Usually sooner than you think. Puppies are a lot like human babies. Their digestive systems are under developed, and often combined with the diet consumed, can produce some very prompt results. Puppies require smaller meals, more often daily. As soon as your puppy has finished eating, or drinking, say, gotta go potty? Gotta go outside? Whatever you choose, but Be Consistent. Say it. Do it.

Act aggressively to prevent accidents. When I say act aggressively I do not mean at all in a violent response. I am referring instead to acting aggressively to prevent. Prior to the accident. Most puppies do catch on quite readily. It is more a matter of your habits forming their habits. Approximately one to two hours before 'bedtime', take away water. You can experiment here, some may be fine with one hour in advance, some may need a little longer. Always walk before bed. It does not matter if it is raining, or cold, it is up to you to develop his habits. Be consistent. Potty Outside, and it is up to you to get your puppy there.

Also practice using other simple verbal commands. Sit, come, etcetera. Simple words, but you begin to establish communication. A good companion animal is loving, and intelligent because he was raised to be so. A well behaved pet is something you can be proud of accomplishing.

Now, about crating. Use your better judgement. Some people gate off areas. Some people sleep with their dogs, and are with them all day. Crating will most likely save you some aggravation though if you use it when you know you will be away an extended time. In puppy lingo, like more than two to three hours.

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