After the joy and magic of the holiday season comes to an end, the reality of the new year sets in. Not to mention that sometimes frustrating job of housebreaking the Christmas gift puppy. Sure we take the puppy for lots of walks, but we still find ourselves cleaning up their accidents.

An important factor in housebreaking is coming up with a routine and sticking to it. Every puppy should be fed at least twice a day and at the same time each day. It is important to leave the food down for only 15-20 minutes. They can be encouraged to eat by adding some wet food. Give water during eating and regulate it at other times. Do not leave water down continuously and don’t give the puppy feed or water after 8pm (or you will be on bathroom duty in the middle of the night).

Knowing when to take the puppy outside is important as well. They will need to go out before eating, right after eating, upon waking up, before bedtime and after playing. A puppy 8 to 16 weeks should be taken out at least 5 to 6 times a day. This will decrease as they get older. Teach the puppy where the door is, praise at the door and then take them to the outside bathroom area. Each time you take the puppy out, give them a command (ie: hurry up). Praise them when they are finished. Teaching a bathroom command is useful, as in the future it can be used in any situation. When in the house, be sure to keep an eye on the puppy at all times. If they try to ‘go’ in the house, pick them up quickly and take them outside. At night, when you leave the house or when you are not prepared to watch the puppy constantly, put them in a crate or travel kennel.

Crates are useful as housebreaking tools as puppies don’t tend to soil their sleeping area. They are also useful later in life, as they come to think of the crate as their den or home within the home. When first training the puppy to enter the crate, never force them in or close the door behind them. Encourage them by placing cookies or their favorite toy inside. Once the puppy is happy going in and out of the crate, restrain them at the door with your hand (for a few minutes to begin with) and then close the door. Even though they are in the crate, the puppy will still need to be taken out regularly – the needs of the bladder override the instinct of keeping the den clean.