If you have ever brought a new puppy home from the shelter or a breeder, you know how essential it is to get that tiny ball of fur housebroken as quickly as possible. But potty training a puppy usually requires patience, consistency and – yes, time. The good news is that the more time you are prepared to commit to the process at the start, the less time your pup may take to learn his lessons well. Remember, before you bring your pup home, prepare well for the process, and you and your pup will be on the road to a long, happy relationship.

The Advantages of Crate Training
Many dog owners have become quite partial to crate training as a means of potty training a puppy, and with good reason. A crate can perform a multitude of functions with your pup. For starters, it will offer a secure place for your pet to rest and sleep. Secondly, confining your pup to his crate when you are gone ensures that your home will still be in one piece upon you get back. Finally, using a crate for house training your puppy will teach your dog to hold his urge to eliminate until he is in a suitable location to do so. Most dogs will not eliminate in their crate because they know not to go to the bathroom in the same space that they sleep in.

Before placing your pup in his crate for a period of time, you must make sure that he has time outside to potty. When you let your pup out of his crate, you should consistently take him outside straight away. A crate can be a valuable training tool when you are away from home, or if you are involved in an activity for a period of time that will stop you from watching your dog sufficiently.

Never forget that puppies should not be left in a crate all day, although they can sleep in one throughout the night. If you work all day, try to return home for lunch to give your dog a break, or have someone else come by your home to do so.

Paper Training
Paper training does not mean using a rolled newspaper to swat your dog when he potties in the house. That is actually the most ineffective means of house training a puppy that there is. Paper training actually refers to indoor puppy potty training, where you teach your pup to go to the bathroom on papers or training pads that you lay down on the floor for him. This method of potty training for puppies is generally best done when you can confine your pup to a single room in the house, like the kitchen. Whenever you see your dog begin to nose around the floor as if he is looking for a spot, take your pup to the paper potty. When he gets this process down, move the papers closer to the door. Eventually your pet will learn to go to the door when he requires to go to the bathroom.

Check out these aryicles for more practical guidance
how to crate train a dog
house training puppies
Puppy potty training
Potty training your puppy may be challenging, but it is far from impossible. With much patience and consistency, your puppy potty training will succeed much sooner than you might think.