· Don’t be in a rush to give your puppy or young adolescent dog run of the house.

Too much freedom too soon often leads to housebreaking problems.  It is recommended that you wait until the dog is at least 12 months of age before granting complete freedom.  Restricted freedom (ie., the dog is confined to one or two rooms) for short periods (no more than a couple of hours) is a good way to transition the dog over a period of months from the crate to full household privileges.
 
 

· Feed the dog at regularly scheduled times.  Do not leave food out all day!

Leaving food out all day, or “free feeding”, exacerbates housebreaking problems because the dog’s bowels never become regulated.  Free feeding also leads to picky eaters.  Switch to scheduled feedings by choosing two times per day for adult dogs, usually one in the morning and one in the evening (puppies require three to four scheduled feedings per day).  Put the food down, and give the dog 15 minutes to eat.  If he doesn’t eat or he doesn’t finish his meal in 15 minutes, pick up the bowl anyway.  It may take a day or two for the dog to become accustomed to the new routine, but don’t worry, the dog’s survival instincts will kick in when he’s hungry enough, and he’ll eat with a vengeance!
 
 

 · Don’t assume your dog has emptied just because you let him out.

Dogs don’t necessarily “go” when they are outside alone (in a fenced-in yard, of course).  That’s because they’re too busy watching the world pass by!  Therefore, it’s best to walk your dog on a leash; otherwise, watch him while he’s outside to insure he’s relieved himself.  If your dog has been outside alone and you’re not sure if he’s gone, bring him in and crate him for five minutes, then take him out on a leash and encourage him to go.
 
 

· Don’t scold your dog unless you catch him in the act.

Scolding a dog for an accident that has already occurred, even if the accident was a minute or two ago, is totally ineffective from the dog’s point of view.  Yelling may make you feel better, but the dog just thinks you’re in a bad mood.  The only way the dog will associate your displeasure with a housebreaking accident is to catch him in the act and take him right outside!
 
 

· Prevention is the best cure!

Your diligence will prevent most accidents.  Keep the dog crated when you aren’t home or can’t give him 100 percent of your attention.  Don’t feel guilty about crating the dog, either.  It’s far better to prevent accidents and thereby preserve your relationship with the dog than to end up disliking the dog and perhaps even giving him away in frustration.  If the dog must be crated for long periods of time, just be sure to give him plenty of exercise and attention when you get home.  Quality time with you will more than make up for the time spent in the crate!