Capable Canine Tips Tips Archive   How do I housetrain my puppy (or Adopted Adult Dog)? Whether you are housetraining a pup or retraining an adult dog - the approach is much the same.The differences are: a pup may not yet have the physical ability to control his need to eliminate for long periods of time, until 4 to 5 months of age. A healthy adult dog is capable of controlling his elimination urges, so in some cases an adult dog can be housetrained very quickly.If your dog has a mistake indoors, do not punish him after-the-fact. It is your mistake, not his. Dogs live in the moment. He will not associate the punishment with the right crime. Just clean it up (using an enzyme-based cleaner - I like Nature's Miracle). Vow not to give him so much freedom. If you catch your dog in the act, calmly interrupt him and take your dog outside to the "elimination spot." Again, do not punish, if you do, you only teach your dog it isn't safe to eliminate in front of you, and your dog will learn to go behind the furniture, under the table, or any area that is not often occupied by humans.I recommend using the "umbilical approach." This means when you can not supervise your dog, keep him in a crate, x-pen, or gated off room. When your dog is with you, keep him on a leash attached to you. Establish a daytime routine - first thing in the morning - put your pup out to eliminate - Go out with your pup, you want to see that he goes, some times pups get so excited about going out side they forget what they went out to do - then they return inside the house, relax and eliminate!!! If you want him to go to the same area each time - keep him on leash take him to the "spot" and wait. Reward your pup/dog with a treat and/or praise when he does go. If your pup does not eliminate - simply bring him back into the house and put him in his crate, wait 15 minutes and go back out. Take your pup out to the "area" after all play times (even if he went out 15 minutes ago), after chewing   on a chew toy or bone, and after eating of any kind.While housetraining you want to take your pup out no less than every two hours. Go out with him each time - praise and reward by playing for a few minutes. Keep a daily log for one week, writing down when (and what) your dog goes. Once you have this documentation of his routine, you can start reducing the number of time you take your dog out, based on your dog's elimination schedule. As your dog becomes more trustworthy, you can start to give your dog more freedom. If he backslides it is your fault, for giving too much freedom too soon. Simply, back up to a more restricted routine, and proceed more slowly.At night have your pup/dog sleep in a crate, in or near your bedroom. If your dog wakes up during the night and cries, most likely he has to go out. Take him out; reward him when he is finished. Bring him in and immediately return him to his crate (bed), so he will not learn to wake you for a play session.Dogs do not house soil out of malice or spite. They just don't think that way. If your dog urinates or defecates every time you leave him alone in the house, there is a chance that it is related to stress. Punishing him will only make your dog more stressed, and make the problem worse. If you are having serious housetraining problems, you may need the services of a trainer or behavior consultant. The majority of dogs want to keep their dens clean and will happily learn to use appropriate elimination areas if given the chance.