House Training Made Easy

From The PetGuy Archive

Originally published in LEO on November 17, 1999

Welcome to The PetGuy Archive, a collection of original newspaper columns, television features, and educational resources spanning more than three decades. These articles are presented as they were originally published, along with updated commentary that reflects today's best practices in pet care while preserving the original advice and perspective.

Original Article

One of the biggest reasons animals end up in shelters is because of behavioral problems and the inability to housebreak. While a dog that urinates in the house will wear on the nerves of even the most patient person—myself included—it is something that can be easily avoided. As always, the best cure is prevention.

When you bring a new dog home, no matter what its age, you should have some means of confinement. This can be most easily accomplished with a training crate, but it also can be done simply by shutting the pet into a small room (no, not a closet—a room). Most folks think the reason for this is to keep the mess confined to one area, but that is only partially correct. Dogs are denning animals and like to keep their area clean. A dog needs his den. When given the option of going to the bathroom in his crate or holding it until he can be let outside, most dogs will quickly learn to opt for the latter. While not all dogs respond quickly to this method, about 90 percent do. It is the first method to try.

For years, I heard that newspaper should be used for puppies to "go" on. But in fact, this is not so. While it will keep the mess off your floor, you are actually teaching the dog that it is all right for him to relieve himself inside the house. Then you will scold him for this behavior later while trying to convert him from paper to going outside. Again, some people have had success with this method, but ultimately it is very confusing for your dog.

House training is not only potty training. The process should encompass all aspects of living in your house. For instance, it is not OK to teethe on your couch or chair. It is not OK to jump on guests. It is not OK to run wildly throughout the house without regard for the human inhabitants. It is not OK to chew on electrical cords or other potentially dangerous items. These are all training issues, and most can be accomplished with a training crate.

Using a crate effectively means that the dog enjoys his time inside it. You should offer him appropriate chew toys (such as a Nylabone® or Kong®) to satisfy his need to teethe instead of letting him chew your belongings. When you are gone, be sure to leave these toys inside the crate with him. When he gets bored and needs to teethe, he will gladly chew on these items instead of waiting until he is out to chew up your favorite shoes.

Be sure that when you return home, you let him out of his crate quickly. Always take him outside for bathroom time right away, before he has a chance to go elsewhere in the house. Remember, in the early stages of crate training, the crate is his den—not your house. Over time, he will learn to respect your house. If he is always in the habit of "going" outside, that is where he will continue to want to go.

Quick Tips for Safe Crate Training

• Always take your dog's collar off before putting him inside his crate. Yes, I know of a dog that hung herself in her crate.

• Never keep a new pet crated for more than a couple of hours at a stretch. You will defeat the entire goal of crate training if you leave your pet in it so long that it has to go to the bathroom inside, making housebreaking much more difficult.

• Always lift a young puppy from the crate and carry him outside for potty time. This will help keep him from squatting as soon as he is outside the crate.

By using this method of training, you will have a well-adjusted pet that is a joy to keep inside your house.

The PetGuy Perspective Today

More than a quarter century after writing this article, I'm pleased to see that one of its central recommendations has stood the test of time: crate training remains one of the safest and most effective ways to house train a puppy.

What has evolved is our understanding of how dogs learn. Today's trainers place even greater emphasis on positive reinforcement, rewarding good behavior instead of punishing mistakes. Consistency, patience, and establishing predictable routines continue to be the foundation of successful house training.

One point that deserves additional emphasis today is that a crate should always be a safe, comfortable place for a dog—not a form of punishment. When introduced properly, it becomes a secure space that helps puppies develop confidence while making house training much easier for the entire family.

Today's Best Practices

Even though this article was originally written in 1999, these additional recommendations reflect today's veterinary and professional training guidance:

• Reward puppies immediately after successful trips outside with praise and affection, avoid a treat if possible.

• Establish a consistent schedule for feeding, playtime, and bathroom breaks.

• Never use a crate as punishment.

• Clean indoor accidents with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odors that may encourage repeat accidents.

• Be patient. Every puppy learns at a different pace, and consistency is more important than perfection.

  
  

About Jeff Seidenfaden

Jeff Seidenfaden, known to many as The Pet Guy, has spent more than three decades helping families better understand and care for their pets through newspaper columns, television appearances, public speaking, and educational outreach. The PetGuy Archive preserves these original articles while adding modern context for today's pet owners.

Original Publication

This article was originally published in LEO on November 17, 1999 and has been digitally preserved as part of The PetGuy Archive.

The original article has been lightly edited to correct scanning and formatting errors while preserving its original content and intent. Additional commentary reflects current pet care recommendations and was added for today's readers.