House Breaking your puppy

Housebreaking and Basic Commands: Guidance for New Puppy Owners.

As part of your puppy’s early training, we’ve introduced foundational behaviors that you can build upon to make the transition to your home as smooth as possible. Below are details about housebreaking and basic commands, along with tips to continue this important training.  

Housebreaking

We’ve begun introducing your puppy to the concept of appropriate potty behavior. Puppies are naturally clean and prefer not to soil their sleeping area, so we’ve used crate training and routine potty breaks to lay the groundwork for housebreaking.  

Steps We’ve Taken:

1. Crate Introduction  

  • Your puppy has been introduced to a crate as a safe and comfortable space.  
  • Short periods of crate time have been paired with rewards and praise to create positive associations.  

2. Potty Break Schedule:

  • Puppies were taken outside after meals, naps, and playtime to establish a routine.  
  • A designated potty area was used to encourage familiarity with where to go.  

Tips for New Owners

  • Establish a Routine: Take your puppy outside first thing in the morning, after eating, and before bedtime. Regular breaks every 2–3 hours are essential at this age.  
  • Supervise and Limit Freedom: When indoors, supervise your puppy closely to prevent accidents. Use baby gates or an exercise pen if needed.  
  • Reward Success: Praise and reward your puppy immediately after they potty in the correct spot. Avoid punishment for accidents; instead, redirect them gently.  

 

Basic Commands

We’ve introduced your puppy to some basic commands to encourage focus, cooperation, and good manners. Using positive reinforcement, we’ve made these early lessons fun and rewarding.  

Commands Introduced

 

Name Recognition

  • Your puppy responds to their name with eye contact or attention. Continue to call their name cheerfully and reward them for looking at you.  

Sit

  • The “sit” command was introduced by holding a treat above their nose and moving it back until they naturally sat. Praise and treats followed the behavior.  

Come

  • Using a happy tone, we encouraged your puppy to come when called and rewarded them for responding.  

Crate Command

  • Phrases like “go to your crate” were paired with treats placed inside the crate to make it a positive experience.  

Tips for New Owners 

  • Short Training Sessions: Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes to match your puppy’s attention span.  
  • Use Positive Reinforcement: Always reward desired behaviors with treats, praise, or play.  
  • Consistency is Key: Use the same words and gestures for each command to avoid confusion.  
  • End on a Positive Note: Finish each session with a success to keep your puppy eager to learn.  

By building on the housebreaking and basic command training we’ve started, you’ll help your puppy continue to develop good habits and a strong bond with you. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, feel free to reach out—we’re here to support you and your puppy every step of the way!