Your puppy must always have access to the “out” door. This smart Parson Russell Terrier is patiently waiting for his owner to take him for a walk.

      Set a Schedule

      Despite what your friend tells you or what you read on the Internet, puppies have little or no bladder control until they are about five or six months old. Accepting this fact of puppyhood is the first step in any successful house-training program. Puppies mature at different rates, so your puppy’s control may develop earlier or later. As he matures, he will gradually learn to hold his bladder for longer periods of time.

      Until your puppy begins developing some reliable bladder control, you must take him outdoors frequently. Yes, it is nearly a part-time job, but your 100-percent commitment to a regular schedule means that your puppy will learn quicker, which means fewer accidents in the house. The fewer accidents he has, the more reliable he will be as an adult dog. If you are inconsistent, your puppy will suffer in the long run because he will not understand the household rules.

      Problems often arise when owners fail to recognize how frequently their puppy needs to relieve himself. As a general guideline, take your puppy outdoors at the following times:

      •first thing in the morning when he wakes up, and at least every hour throughout the day

      •about fifteen minutes after drinking water

      •about thirty minutes after eating

      •immediately after waking from a nap

      •every time you arrive home

      •anytime you take him out of his crate

      •anytime he shows signs of having to go

      •last thing at night

      This guideline is for young puppies, which, of course, are unique and individual. You may need to tweak or adjust this schedule to fit your puppy’s particular needs. Minimize accidents by providing your puppy with a regular schedule of eating, sleeping, and eliminating. When you are committed to a regular schedule, your puppy will learn that relieving himself occurs on schedule.

      What about Breed Size?

      Experts disagree about whether small breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers, are more difficult to house-train than large breeds. Some suggest that a small-breed’s pea-sized bladder and not-yet-developed sphincter musculature are the likely cause. Small-breed house-training problems are often unnoticed if the puppy sneaks behind the couch or other furniture to do his business—unbeknownst to his owner. Having a small breed means that you will need to be as diligent—if not more so—as the big-breed dog owner.

      Set a Plan

      Now that you have an idea of when and how often your puppy will need to potty, decide on a specific potty spot in your yard. If you don’t have a fenced yard, or if you live in an apartment or condo, you will need to find a nearby grassy area (some people choose to use a piece of Astroturf on their deck). Wherever you choose, always use the same spot. You’ll confuse your puppy by moving the spot daily or weekly.

      Each time your puppy needs to potty, take him to his spot. Watch your puppy closely to be sure he relieves himself. Do not play with him yet—just stand around and pretend to ignore him until he goes. It may take a few minutes, so be patient. Just as he is finishing doing his business, calmly praise him with “Good potty” or “Good puppy.”

      You will need to repeat this routine many times throughout the day, beginning as soon as you wake up (or, more likely, when your puppy wakes you up) until just before you go to bed. If your puppy is younger than three months old, he will probably have to potty in the middle of the night, too.

      Puppies are most active during the day—running, jumping, playing, exploring, and being puppies. Because of their small bladder size and lack of control, they need to relieve themselves many times during the day. During the night, however, they are usually exhausted from the activities of the day. As a result, many puppies can sleep five to eight hours without having to potty.

      Some owners get lucky, and their puppy sleeps through the night. Others are relegated to months of sleeplessness. Remember, the puppy is not being naughty or willfully disobedient. He is a puppy. If your puppy wakes you in the middle of the night or early in the morning, it is best to get up with him and take him outside. The fewer accidents he has in his crate, the less stressful the house-training process will be, and the quicker he will learn to potty outside.

      If you take your puppy outdoors and he gets sidetracked playing or sniffing bugs and does not relieve himself, you must put him in his crate for five or ten minutes and then try again. (If you are not using a crate, keep your puppy where you can watch him like a hawk for those five or ten minutes). Do this as many times as necessary until your puppy relives himself outdoors.

      Never assume that your puppy has done his business. You must see him empty his bladder or bowels. Here is the reason why: If your puppy gets distracted outdoors and forgets to potty, and then you bring him back indoors and give him free run of the house, guess where he is going to potty when he is no longer distracted and has a sudden urge to go? It’s a safe bet he will potty on your carpet. Be upset with yourself, not with your puppy, because it is not his fault. Chalk up the situation to experience, and endeavor to be more observant in the future.

      Another important reason for going with the puppy when he potties is the foundation of the Come command. When he is finished doing his business, calmly praise him with “Good potty” or “Good puppy,” and then make a game of having him chase you back to the house. Tell him, “Good boy!” and then run toward the house while you clap and cheer him on. When you get to the house, offer verbal praise and reward him with a yummy tidbit. Remember, young puppies are eager to follow you anywhere and everywhere. Plus, you are inciting his natural chase instinct. So by going with him to potty and then having him chase you back to the house, you maximize every opportunity to begin to instill desired behaviors.