Getting a new puppy home has the most wonderful emotions attached to it. Holding your puppy, cuddling him, watching him play can all be sources of great pleasure. However the joy and ecstasy ends the moment you walk into the first puddle of puppy pee or when you see your favorite rug with a big wet pee stain on it. And as these incidents are repeated with regularity you are just about ready to pull your hair out.

Well lets get the facts straight your puppy is not exactly choosy when it comes to picking a relieving spot, so in other words your couch will do and so will the kitchen. The answer is to all your puppy pee related woes is ‘housebreaking’.

Simply put housebreaking is the puppy equivalent of potty training. Since your puppy dint really have a shiny potty where he was taught to do his job at fixed times he is a little confused about the right place. So the entire house seems like one big potty. And even though the first few times this act on your puppy’s part is tolerable it loses its charm real fast.

And if you are going through a similar experience where your cute fur ball has turned into a pooping, peeing mean machine lets take you through the ‘housebreaking’ course.

Some important tips:

Since your pup cannot stop himself from relieving or in other words control his urges naturally till the age of 3 months your training will have to start before he reaches this landmark age. So, when he crosses the 3 month boundary he will know that there is a fire hydrant waiting for him outside and the couch is certainly no place to raise his leg.

Your puppy will need to answer natures call at least a few times a day and most definitely after a meal just like human babies.

A tell tale sign is when your puppy starts sniffing around slowly to find the perfect spot or starts circling a spot to make sure that its a good place to do his job.

A good way to start housebreaking your dog is to take him out every time he is done eating and every time you see him sniffing around intently.

The first few times there are bound to be some incidents and accidents. The important thing for you is to let your dog know that his behavior is not acceptable. Wait to catch him in the act and with a serious expression dole out a loud and sharp ‘NO’. Yelling at him half an hour down the line won’t help because he will have no idea why he is being yelled at.

Keep your slippers and house coat ready to take your dog out promptly if it looks like he is going to do his job right then and there.. And every time he pees or poops outside don’t forget to pat him, appreciate him and give him a treat.

Dogs are remarkably sensitive to human emotions. Also, they are no different from human beings and are constantly looking for positive strokes and like to please. Once your dog realizes that doing his job outside makes you happy he will be more than willing to oblige. But you need to show that to him. A few days into housebreaking, try to observe his toilet schedule and try to take him out accordingly. If he feels the urge each night or early in the morning at a specific time, that is the perfect time to take him out. This will ensure a happy dog, a happy owner and certainly a clean house