House training puppies can be the biggest challenge in pet ownership, and can cause a lot of frustration and headache when it takes longer than you had expected. Do not give up! Use these tips to learn how to train a puppy like a pro! If you have been trying to toilet train your puppy for a while without success, use these key tips to evaluate your strategy and improve your methods.

• Use a Leash – when taking your puppy to the potty spot, use a short leash to keep him in the right away and prevent him from being distracted and wandering off to explore. Some puppies are shy, and it is best to look away from them while they do their business.
  

• Potty Schedule – dogs will typically go during the same time frame each day. Usually when they first wake up, 30 minutes or so after eating or drinking, after playtime or walking, and before bed. Note when your puppy is going to the bathroom so you can take him for potty breaks at the right time.
  

• Allocate the Time – remember that house training puppies is not an easy task, and you need to allocate the proper time to train a puppy where you want him to go potty. If you can take a week to stay home and really focus on the house training process, you will be rewarded. Patience is key!

• Crate Training Puppies - Keep the puppy confined to a very small area during the day while you are house training him, and take him out to go potty about every 2-3 hours. Immediate take the puppy to the potty spot, and wait there with him for 15 minutes while giving him the chosen command to “go potty!” or “do your business!” If he does not go, take him back to his crate, and then repeat the process again in 20 minutes or so. By keeping your puppy confined to a crate or small area, he will resist going in his “house” and you have a better chance of getting him to go where you want.
  

• Clean up the Mistakes Quietly and Completely – use a special cleaner meant to remove all traces of urine and feces odor so your dog does not keep going to the same spot as prior accidents.
  

• Watch him like a Hawk! – One of the key mistakes pet owners make when house training puppies is that they do not watch the puppy carefully to avoid from accidents happening. Each time your puppy has an accident, this is a lost opportunity for house training, and may reinforce bad habits. When your puppy is away from his bed or home area, he must be carefully watched in the way you watch a toddler. It just takes a second of looking away for an accident to happen, to pay close, close attention. In fact, do not take your eyes off of him. As soon as you see any indications that he is about to go (circling, sniffing the floor, squatting, etc. shout a load ‘No!” and pick him up and immediately take him to the proper spot. Sometimes this might surprise or confuse them, and they refuse to go. Take them back to their crate and bring him out to the potty spot in 15 minutes.
  

• Try Something New – if you have been trying for weeks or months to train your puppy to go indoors without success, it may be that your dog is naturally inclined to go outside. Try taking him outside and see if your dog is willing to go outside. Some dogs may simply be confused about indoor potty spots, but take them outside and they instinctively know what to do!
  

• Walks and Exercise – playtime and going for walks may increase your puppy’s urge to go to the toilet. Watch your puppy closely after playtime and try to get him to go potty. It may take several tries, so be patient. Some dogs may go in the middle of a walk. This is fine, as the main thing you want your dog to understand is that the house is not the toilet.
  

• Certain Breeds can be Harder to Train – certain breeds such as Maltese dogs can be harder to train and you need to have patience and allocate a longer period of time to learn.
  

• Be Consistent – remember that it takes time to learn new habits, and a new puppy is a baby. Give your puppy the consistency he needs to learn good toilet habits. He wants to please you, but if you are not consistent in the house training, puppies can get easily confused and will be “learning” bad habits.

If you have tried these methods consistently with no results for several months, it may be time to talk with your veterinarian about medical issues that can interfere with house training.Learn the proper methods for how to train a puppy, and you will be greatly rewarded with a wonderful and loving relationship with your 4 legged friend.