House breaking a puppy should start immediately, just after you bring him home. Even if he is only 7 or 8 weeks old, he wants to please you so it's important to use puppy housebreaking training methods that will help him develop the correct 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 what his only option is. Puppies will learn very quickly when they are clear about what is expected of them.

Dogs have a natural instinct not to eliminate in their den area and, because of their strong sense of smell, are attracted to areas where they or others have eliminated before. You can exploit these natural tendencies in several ways.

Puppy crate training is undoubtedly the best way to take advantage of these natural instincts and basically involves using a plastic dog carrier 'crate' as the pup's sleep area and place of security. You should get him used to being alone in the crate for short periods of time so that he comes to think of it as his refuge and is comfortable sleeping there.

The second way to use his natural instincts is to read the signs that he wants to go, i.e. your puppy is circling and smelling around, and then to react quickly by picking him up and taking him to the designated spot to eliminate.

The familiar smells in the specified area and your alert and consistent act of getting him immediately to the area will help him get the idea quickly. 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 awakens, after playing or exercise, and after he eats or drinks.