W ith a consistency and good timing you will be able to successfully housetrain your dog or puppy in no time and with minimal accidents.

You will need:
A dog crate – The crate should be only big enough for the dog or puppy to sit up and turn around. If it is too big, your dog will be able to relieve himself in one corner and sleep in another.
Irresistible treats – Be ready to lavish your dog with praise and reward every time she eliminates in an appropriate place.
A leash – You should always take your dog to the same spot to go to the bathroom. So, even if you have a fenced yard, a leash is a handy tool in housetraining. A good walk around the block before bed or before you leave the house will give her an opportunity to relieve herself appropriately. Additionally, if you keep her close to you while you’re in the house, you will find that you will learn to read her “I have to go” cues a lot easier.

Please read about crate training to familiarize yourself with making it a positive experience for you and your dog. Once you know how to introduce the crate, you will find that it is invaluable to housetraining. Not only will your dog learn very quickly that outside is the best place to go, but your sanity and carpet will be saved.

Using a crate to housetrain is a simple concept – whenever you cannot watch your dog or puppy closely (when you’re not home, when you’re in the shower, at night), she should be in the crate. As soon as you remove her from the crate, take her outside to the predetermined elimination location.

What is a predetermined elimination location? It’s the spot you want Spot to go to every time he has to go to the bathroom. Dogs will learn to go back to that place each time they have to go to the bathroom if you reinforce through repetition and positive reward that this is the best place to go.

If you take your dog directly from the crate outdoors, there will be little opportunity for mistakes. When she goes, praise her, give her treats and generally make a big fuss.

And when she’s not in the crate? SUPERVISE!
Establishing a routine will make the housetraining process go much more smoothly. As we’ve already discussed, you’ll be taking your dog outside whenever she is let out of her crate. Other opportune times are: first thing in the morning, last thing at night, before you leave for school or work, and 10-20 minutes after each feeding (regular feedings mean a regular bathroom schedule as well).
It’s those times between your routine that you should be especially vigilant. Watch for clues that your dog has to go. Sniffing in circles or disappearing behind the dining room table, whining, and going to the door are cues that it’s time to drop what you’re doing and head outside.
You may want to try the tethering technique. Leash your dog and fasten the leash to your belt loop or wrist. This will keep your dog near and he will be less likely to sneak off and have an accident. As an added bonus, this facilitates bonding!

Potty time is not playtime
Once you’ve taken your dog out to go to the bathroom, don’t let her distract you with cuteness and playfulness. This is the time to do business. If, after a few minutes, your dog hasn’t gone to the bathroom, go back inside and try again in about 10 minutes.

OOPS!
Accidents will happen. If you catch him in the act, make a noise or otherwise distract your dog. Take him immediately outside and reward him when he goes in the correct place. If you don’t catch him in the act, you have to just let it go. It’s likely your dog has forgotten what he’d done. Some people advise you to pick up solid waste and take it outside with the dog to show where the proper bathroom spot should be.
Be sure to find an effective odor eliminating cleaner for cleaning up urine. Dogs will tend to go back to a spot that smells of urine. You will want to remove the odor completely to prevent future accidents.

Step-by-Step
1. Never let your dog out of sight – try tethering and crating
2. Establish a bathroom routine – take him out at predictable times each day
3. Use your leash to take her to the same spot each time
4 .Give a command like “go to the bathroom” or “pee” (it can be anything, even “flush”)
5. Praise and treat when the job is done