Housebreaking

Crating a dog for housebreaking is based on the natural instinct of a dog not to soil his den. Whenever you take the Fifi out of his crate, take him immediately outside and put him on his "bathroom" area. Use the words you will use consistently, such as "Go pee" or "Go potty". When Fifi goes (usually by accident the first time), praise lavishly: "Good Fifi!" The more excited you are, the more lavish the praise, the more the dog likes it. A little dog treat will help to reinforce the "good" behavior. Give the treat and the praise as quickly after the dog has relieved himself as possible to reinforce the association. Every time you take him out, perform the "ritual": use the same place, the same words for instructions, and the same praise. Your dog is learning. Remember to take the dog out after every nap, meal, and any time you take him out of the crate.

Whenever you cannot watch the dog, keep him in his crate (this will only be necessary until he is housebroken). When you can give him your complete attention, let him play outside his crate. It's a good idea to confine the dog to a room where you can watch him comfortably and where the floor can easily be cleaned. In most houses, this is the kitchen. He'll play for a while, and then begin sniffing at the floor or performing a circling behavior. This is an indication that he needs to relieve himself. Take him immediately the "place" outside and perform the ritual: say your words ("Pee pee" or whatever you have decided to say) and reward and praise (Good Fifi!). Make a commotion over how good he is!

If you do not catch the dog before he starts to eliminate but you catch it early in the process, make a loud noise to stop the process. A loud noise can be a "NO!" shout with a sharp hand clap, a few pennies shaken in a coffee can, or anything that will cause a startle response. Then immediately scoop the dog up, take him to "the place" outside, and perform "the ritual". DO NOT do any of the following: rub his nose in it; continue to yell at him; punish him in any way; hit him with your hand, a newspaper; or anything!!! DO NOT put him in his crate as a punishment.

Remember, every time Fifi leaves the crate, get up from a nap, eats (allow at least 15-20 mins, after eating), first thing in the morning and last thing at night, perform the housebreaking ritual. It will be a very short time before your dog is housebroken, provided the dog is old enough to have bladder control (bichons, for example, do not begin to housebreak until they are approximately 3 months. old).