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One of your first jobs as a dog owner is house training your puppy, and even if you do nothing else in terms of dog training, you’ll have to do this. That is, unless you are prepared to live with an animal that has no control over her toilet habits.

Fortunately, in most cases, it is easy. Choose a method, implement a plan, add a bit of patience, and you’re done.

In fact, your dog’s natural behavior will help you succeed. For starters, despite what some may think, dogs are clean animals, and given to choice will “make their toilet”, away from where they live.

Secondly, most dogs have a strong desire to please their human companions, and will do just about anything to earn our approval.

Remember these two principles as you house train your dog, as they are the secret to success regardless of the method you employ.

Here are some common methods that are used for house training dogs;

Supervision

Crate Training

Paper Training

Litter Box Method

Now the method you choose is up to you, but as someone who has trained many dogs, using all of these techniques, I’ve found crate training to be most effective. Crate training just plain works, because it draws strongly on the aspects of canine behavior I mentioned earlier.

With crate training your puppy you use these behavioral aspects to your advantage – a much better approach than chasing your dog and trying to haul her outdoors, or to the paper every time she squats down.

You may however prefer one of the other methods, which is also okay – use what works for you. The most important thing is that you remain calm while toilet training your dog. Shouting and getting upset won’t achieve anything other than making the dog afraid of you.

Remember that your puppy is only a baby. I doubt that any parent would scream at a baby who soiled her diaper, or rub her nose in it. So why do it to a baby dog?

Your puppy doesn’t understand what she’s done wrong (how could she?), but stick to your method consistently and she will soon ‘get it’. Dogs are intelligent animals, so your patience will pay off in the end.

Want to accelerate those results?

Then praise your pup when she succeeds.

Your puppy will do just about anything to gain your approval. Praise her when she does her “business” outside, or on the paper, and she’ll be encouraged to do this again, and again.

I don’t just mean a little pat on the head either – really lay it on thick – lots of praise, lots of enthusiasm, maybe even a game or a treat. Do this every time and before you know it you’ll have a house trained puppy on your hands.

Later, when you move on to basic obedience training, your pup will already understand that when she does what you ask, she gets praise and rewards. So house training actually lays the groundwork for all your dog training efforts.

To find out more about dog training, dog behavior, dog health and other useful dog information stop by at www.dogsanddogtraining.com