Skip to content
Skip to content

Housetraining Basics HOMEWARD TRAILS RESOURCE LIBRARY: DOGS!

Sleeping dog

Your new dog or puppy will likely need at least a refresher on housetraining. Even a dog who was not having accidents in a foster home will need some guidance as they learn what is expected of them in your home.

Most dogs will pick it up quickly but consistency is key.

Becky, all images on the site should have a caption AND an alt Tag!

Housetraining Basics

To begin with you will require the following:

-a crate only large enough for the puppy to stand up and turn around comfortably

-a schedule for going outside

-treats for whenever you go outside with the dog

-good observing skills to prevent accidents patience

Crate

The puppy must be crated whenever you’re away or can’t actively supervise, i.e. when you’re busy around the house, sleeping etc. This will make him hold on so that you can have a success outside later. If you find the puppy is soiling his crate, the likelihood is that the crate is too large: the puppy can use part of it as a toilet. Speak to us if he’s is a chronic crate soiler.

Schedule

1. First thing in the morning

2. A few minutes after each meal. This is often when puppies will have a bowel movement. You will discover your own puppy’s rhythm. 3. Every hour on the hour. Take the puppy outside on leash for five minutes in a small area. Always return to the same spot so he begins to associate the area with its purpose. Don’t interact with the puppy. Have a play period once he is finished. If nothing happens after five minutes, bring him back into the house and crate him for another thirty minutes. Then try again. If he does eliminate, he may have a free period in the kitchen or confinement area, or, better yet, a nice walk. This acts as an added bonus for performing. 4. During the night. A very young pup (6-7 weeks) may need to go out once during the night.

Treats

Every time the puppy eliminates outside, lavish him with enthusiastic praise during the act and follow with an extra special treat (a small piece of cheese, hot dog, liver). If you find that the praise makes him stop in the middle of eliminating, save it until just after he finishes.

Pay
Attention

Your puppy will give off signals that he needs to eliminate. It’s essential that you learn what these are so you can prevent mistakes. Common behaviors include circling, restlessness & sniffing. Whenever you see these, take the puppy out!

Patience

Don’t lose your cool. Most puppies will have accidents, especially in the beginning of training. Since your puppy will be supervised at all times when loose in the house, you will be able to provide the proper feedback as the dog begins to eliminate or, even better, take him out before he even starts (see “good observing skills…” above). If you catch him starting to eliminate inside, interrupt him with a sharp sound. This may even prevent him from finishing. Urgently say “outside” and then get the puppy there as quickly as possible. Stay outside for the 5-minute period and praise & treat if he finishes eliminating. If not, bring him back inside and either supervise or crate him for another try later. If the puppy has an accident in the house or in the crate and you did not see it happen, it is futile and even detrimental to punish him after the fact. Simply clean up the spot and then apply a commercial odor neutralizer or 50% vinegar to water. This will help prevent a certain location from smelling like an “indoor toilet”. Most importantly after any accident, vow to supervise more closely in future and/or add another outing to your schedule.

FAQ

Most Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if there is no one to come home while I’m at work to let him out after 4 hours?

Try to find a doggy daycare that can provide your puppy with the attention he requires during the first 4 months. The more accidents that go without feedback, the longer it will take to house train.

I follow the schedule but my puppy urinates several times an hour in the house! Is he normal?

Have your veterinarian check whether the puppy has a urinary tract infection.

My puppy is four months old and still having frequent accidents. Help!

My guess would be that he has too much unsupervised, loose time in the house. Remember that each time he eliminates in the house without being caught, he is being de-trained. Tighten up your regime.

I want my dog to eventually go outside but I’m confused. Should / paper-train first and then later train him to go outside?

If you have access to the outdoors and your goal is for the dog to eliminate there, paper training is unnecessary. It’s easier on the dog to not first teach him that it is okay to eliminate inside and then later change the rules.

I live in a high rise with a small dog. Is paper-training him okay?

You can permanently paper train the puppy (assuming it’s a small dog!) in the same manner as outlined for “outside training.” All your trips will be to the paper, rather than outside. Choose one location for the paper. Just be sure to also take him for walks and outings so he gets adequately socialized.

Courtesy of the San Francisco SPCA

More News from the Trail!

  • Come See Us at the Washington Auto Show

    We are thrilled to be joining our friends at Subaru of America, Inc. at the The Washington Auto Show again this year from January 19-28. We had a blast showing off our dogs and puppies the last two year! We love the opportunity to introduce Homeward Trails to lots of new people and see so many old friends and adopters. Come out and meet and adopt some great dogs at the Subaru booth. We are also still in need of volunteers are needed for many shift to help handle dogs and transport dogs to and from the Adoption Center and foster homes. The convention center is metro and bus accessible if you are not transporting dogs. You can enjoy the auto show for free before or after your shift. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Sign up and come join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F084EA8AE2DA5F49…

  • Helping Happy Hounds – Fee Waived Hound Adoptions

    As you may or may not know, Virginia animal shelters are filled with Hounds. These amazing dogs are most often discarded by callous hunters, found starving wandering the countryside. Many never make it as hunters and are then tied up to chains or left along the side of the road like old furniture. A good number of them do not make it out of shelters alive.But these dogs – like all dogs – are amazing and worthy of families. We just cannot get them families fast enough to stop them from dying in our shelters when there is no more space.And so we are trying something new here. ALL HOUND DOGS ADOPTED FROM HOMEWARD TRAILS WILL BE FREE. Yes, we are WAIVING ADOPTION FEES for Hounds for the foreseeable future.We hope that will entice well-matched applicants to consider a Hound now. Use the money you save on training, treats, toys.We think all dogs are worthy. But the reality is that some take extra incentives. Some have more barriers to getting adopted. And the result is well, more end up dying. And no – this does NOT mean we are just giving dogs away. All applicants will still go through our application/screening process to ensure good homes. This is just us trying to save more dogs by eliminating one more barrier to adoption. And hey, Hound lovers can use all the extra money they can get to buy treats, right?Help us help these Hounds. Our program Helping Happy Hounds is live NOW. Let’s save some lives!

  • Our Current Supply Needs – Can You Help?

    Each year Homeward Trail spends thousands and thousands of dollars on supplies to care for our animals and support the general operations of our organization. We always strive to keep our costs as low as possible so that we can spend every extra dollar saving more lives.  One simple way you can help is by donating these supplies – everything from postage stamps, to cleaning supplies, to ink cartridges and paper, to dog and cat food and litter. Our wish lists are updated regularly so you can always find our most current needs. Please consider donating supplies to help us cover the cost of these items. The more we are able to get donated, the more animals we can help. Thank you! Adoption Center Wishlist Meow Palace Wishlist Dog Enrichment Wishlist Trails Home Farm Wishlist Farmhouse Wishlist Trails UP Wishlist  Puerto Rico Wishlist

More News from the Trail!

  • Come See Us at the Washington Auto Show

    We are thrilled to be joining our friends at Subaru of America, Inc. at the The Washington Auto Show again this year from January 19-28. We had a blast showing off our dogs and puppies the last two year! We love the opportunity to introduce Homeward Trails to lots of new people and see so many old friends and adopters. Come out and meet and adopt some great dogs at the Subaru booth. We are also still in need of volunteers are needed for many shift to help handle dogs and transport dogs to and from the Adoption Center and foster homes. The convention center is metro and bus accessible if you are not transporting dogs. You can enjoy the auto show for free before or after your shift. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Sign up and come join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F084EA8AE2DA5F49…