When you bring your puppy home, you should start laying the ground work for housebreaking right away. Even at only 7 or 8 weeks old, he wants to please you so it's important to start early using puppy housebreaking training methods that will help him develop the appropriate behavior. He will have no trouble deciding where to eliminate if you don't choose for him. This, of course, is unacceptable. It is up to you to communicate where you want him to go. Puppies will learn very quickly when they are clear about what is expected of them.

Dogs will not relieve themselves in a confined space where they sleep and, because of power of their nose, are drawn to go in areas where they or others have defecated or urinated before. There are several ways you can use these natural tendencies to your advantage.

Probably the most effective way to take advantage of these instincts is, first of all, to use a plastic dog carrier ?crate? as the pup's den or sanctuary. You should get him used to being secluded in the crate for short periods of time so that he is content and happy sleeping there.

The second way to use his instinctive tendencies is to read the signs that he wants to go, i.e. your puppy is circling and smelling around, and then to react immediately by taking him to the usual spot.

he will recognize the scent in the specified area and your alert and consistent act of getting him immediately to the area will help him quickly understand. You will be even more successful if you are observant and pay attention to when he is most likely to go. Be ready to take him out when he wakes up, after playing or exercise, and after he eats or drinks.