House Training Puppies

Dealing With Accidents

All that remains is a successful way to stop your puppy when he begins to make mistakes. The most important thing to remember is you must catch your puppy in the act. When you find yourself too late, and your carpets are currently being ruined, stop him immediately. Do not wait for him to finish. You are going to stop the puppy from doing anything wrong by using what is called "An Interrupter". Interrupters are anything that interrupts a negative behavior so that it can be replaced by a positive behavior. Examples of interrupters include the leash and collar, a squirt bottle, rattle can, or a verbal correction. These are only a few you may come up with more of your own. Follow the definition of an interrupter and always be humane.

The leash and collar interrupter is the drag line that your puppy is always wearing. When you witness your puppy beginning to squat or raise their leg, you will use the leash to give him a pop-release (a quick jerk-release) on the collar to stop his negative behavior. Then, you will take him to his potty spot, on leash, for 10 minutes. If he doesn't finish, remember that he still has to go potty. Watch him very closely. If he does relieve himself than wait until he is completely done and say "Good", and use your potty phrase. For example, if your potty phrase is "go potty" then you will say "good 'go potty'".

If you are using one of the other interrupters the procedure is much the same. When using the squirt bottle on stream, not spray, squirt the puppy on his face if possible. Aim for the nose and not the eyes. The squirt bottle should be filled with plain water. If necessary you may mix up to half water and half vinegar, or half water half lemon juice. The half/half will be the strongest mixture you should use. If using a rattle can, which is a soda can, with two or three pennies inside, you will shake the can to startle the puppy. Do not throw the can at your puppy! Clapping hands and stomping may be used instead of the rattle can. The verbal interrupter can be used by itself or in conjunction with the above interrupters. It is simply the use of your voice to stop the negative behavior. Examples would be "No, No!", "Bad Dog!", "Ah! Ah! Ah!", or "Hey!". After using an interrupter you must fallow through by immediately taking your puppy to the potty spot.

If you have completly missed the training opportunity to stop your puppy in the act, you still may apply the "10 second rule". You have 10 seconds from the time your puppy stops doing something wrong to give a correction, or he may not understand why the correction is being given.

This process, when followed very carefully, can result in a house trained puppy in two to four weeks. Each puppy will learn at his own pace so have patience. Also keep in mind that potty trained puppies can have accidents for the first year to year and a half because of their immaturity. This is normal, so love them through it, and show them their potty spot again.