House training your new dog

Crate-training basics

With crate training, the concept is to take advantage of a dog's natural instincts as a den animal -- which mean he will not soil the den area where he eats and sleeps. Gradually, a dog will build up bladder control until you can trust him to roam freely in the house. Even adult dogs with house training issues can learn anew with crate training.

When you purchase a crate, keep in mind how quickly your dog will grow. A larger crate can be partitioned off to fit your puppy's current size. The dog should have enough space to stand and stretch out comfortably. Make the crate a happy place by adding a comfy blanket and putting the crate near the place where the family spends the most time. Try throwing in a treat and toys or feeding meals to your dog inside. After giving lots of treats and praise, close the door for short periods until your dog is at ease, working up to longer stretches inside the crate. If she barks or cries, don't let her out until she stops, thus rewarding the good behavior.

Upon opening the crate, always take the dog immediately to her designated bathroom spot outside. Remember to give a reward after she eliminates in the right place. Teaching dogs a special command to do their business -- for example, "Go potty" -- will come in handy for years. Afterward, let her enjoy at least 30 minutes of playtime with you before she goes back in the crate.

Most dogs learn the basics of house training by 4 to 6 months of age. The general rule of thumb is that a dog can hold it for as many hours as she is months old. Keep this timeframe in mind when crating your dog. Enlist a friend, neighbor or pet sitter to help when you can't be at home. In a pinch, place the crate with its door open in a larger enclosed area in which you've placed absorbent pee pads.

Crate do's and don'ts

• Do provide water in the crate. A crate water bottle will work if your dog constantly knocks over a regular bowl.
• Don't have your dog in the crate all day and all night, too. Try to keep it to less than 4-hour periods at a time.
• Do provide chew toys such as Kongs to keep your dog occupied.
• Do keep the crate near you overnight so you can hear your dog. Puppies especially may need to go out in the middle of the night.

House training do's and don'ts

• Do maintain a regular schedule so your dog can learn more easily.
• Do learn the signs that indicate your dog may need to go outside, such as sniffing, circling, whining, scratching and walking to the door.
• Don't scold or physically punish your dog for accidents. This will only cause confusion, since dogs do not make connections to the past. Only act if you catch your dog during elimination. Try clapping or a saying "No!" sharply to startle your dog into stopping, then immediately take her outside to finish. Offer tons of praise when she does go outside.
• Do clean accidents well with an enzymatic or pet-specific cleanser to prevent dogs from returning to the same scene of the crime repeatedly.