Decoding Your Dog's Behavior


By Kathy Santo

How to Housebreak Your Puppy

Q: My puppy has "accidents" in the same exact spot in my house. What can I do to prevent her from using the tile hallway as her personal Port-O-Let?

A: Don't allow her out of your sight. I know, easier said than done, but if you put her on leash and attach it to your belt buckle, you'll definitely notice the cues she gives when she needs to go out — sniffing and circling are the most obvious. If you can't always watch your puppy during the housebreaking phase, and it is a phase, I promise, then she should be put in her crate or other small confined area after you've walked her. Most puppies won't soil their living quarters, so if she needs to relieve herself, she'll let you know by barking, scratching, whining. You may think that since your puppy was outside an hour ago, she can't possibly need to go out again, but if she's sniffing and circling, take her out right away. Never, never punish a puppy for having an accident in the house. The blame rests solely on the shoulders of the human in the house who failed to monitor her properly. Now for the importance of cleaning up well. If your puppy smells even a hint of her previous transgression, she'll interpret it to mean that she's found the indoor bathroom. Use a nontoxic cleaner specifically designed to eliminate odors caused by pets. Or try the old standby of first cleaning with soap and water, and then using a mixture of 25% white vinegar and 75% water as an overspray to mask any lingering odors.

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