Giving your puppy free run of your entire home is a bad idea and usually extends the housebreaking process.
Some people buy a crate and keep their puppy in the crate. Other people designate a room such as the kitchen as the puppy room and use baby gates to prevent their puppy from having free run of the house. Since puppies will not want to ?mess up? their space, they will let you know when they have to go to the bathroom. When your puppy ?tells? you that he has to go, and you consistently respond to his signals by taking him out, he'll learn that he is to go outside to relieve himself.
Step 2'Know the Signs
Your puppy will tell you that he has to go outside, but you'll need to understand his body language to figure that out. Some puppies will bark, whimper, or whine. Other puppies will circle or begin to sniff around the area. When you see your puppy begin to sniff or circle, you should immediately pick him up and take him out.
Step 3'Be Consistent
At times it is tempting to just ignore the signals. You may have just taken your puppy out, or you may be busy and hope that your puppy can wait a little while longer. The key is to consistently take out your puppy when he begins to signal that he has to go out. The more consistent you are, the shorter the housebreaking process will be.
Step 4'Reward Your Puppy
This is one of the most important rules to follow! After your puppy relieves himself outside, be sure to praise him by telling him what a wonderful puppy he is. You can also reward your puppy with a dog biscuit. Again, it's important to be consistent.
Eventually, your puppy will learn that when he signals, he gets taken outside; when he relieves himself outside, he gets a treat. It sounds simple, but it works!
