Your New Puppy: Helpful Housebreaking Hints

Getting a new puppy is always an exciting new experience, especially for the first time dog owner. Of course, with a new puppy comes new responsibilities. Perhaps one of the most challenging is teaching your new furry friend about how to do his "business" outside. When is the best time to switch your puppy from paper training to the great outdoors? How should you treat your puppy when he has those little oops moments? Follow these easy tips to help your new family member "do the doo," out where puppies are supposed to poo.

Far too often, people make housetraining out to be some great insurmountable task that must be undertaken. In fact, housetraining a puppy isn't really all that hard; by following a few simple steps and keeping some key items in mind, training your new puppy is surprisingly quick and easy. Before you get all excited, however, there are a few key points that you should always keep in mind:

Puppies tend to develop their "potty" habits within the first few weeks of life, so the earlier you can start housebreaking your puppy, the better.

Dogs are creatures of habit and routine - feeding and then taking your puppy outside at regular times, each and every day, will help to housebreak him. Additionally, most puppies like to piddle in their usual spots. Try and take him to the same place every time he has to go out.

Puppies, in general, do not like to do their business in the same place that they lay down and rest.

Most behaviors will be repeated if positively reinforced. Don't be afraid to take a few treats in your pocket, when you go outside with your puppy, and don't be afraid to praise him when he's done his duty outside. Try not to startle, or interrupt him when he is going, but be sure to give him a treat and lavish him with praises of "Good boy!" when he goes to the bathroom outdoors. Dogs are natural praise-seekers and will try to make you happy. Showing him what pleases you will only help to encourage this behavior.