Training & Behavior
House Breaking Your Puppy
House breaking rewards a strict schedule more than any single trick — a puppy taken out at the same predictable moments learns the routine faster than one let out only when it seems to need to go.
Set a Schedule Early
Take a puppy out first thing in the morning, after every meal, after naps, and last thing at night — these are the moments a puppy is most likely to need to go, and hitting them consistently prevents most accidents.
Reward the Right Spot Immediately
Praise or a small treat given the instant a puppy finishes outside — not after walking back inside — makes the connection between location and reward as clear as possible.
Accidents Happen — Don’t Punish Them
Scolding a puppy for an accident found later teaches fear, not the lesson intended, since the puppy can’t connect the punishment to an act from minutes before. Clean it thoroughly and refocus on the schedule instead.
Did You Know?
A puppy’s bladder control develops gradually — as a rough guide, most can hold it for about one hour per month of age, up to roughly eight hours by adulthood.
Related Reading
Dog Gifts
Copyright © 2005–2026 Dog Pound. All rights reserved.