Remember the first day you brought your precious pooch home? You were so excited and full of pride. You still are, of course, but discovering little 'accidents' from your small dog around the house (and in your favourite shoes) can sometimes be frustrating. But fear not, house training your small dog is a lot easier than you think. Plus, there are lots of ways to make house training a positive experience and fun. For instance, praising your puppy with rewards when it 'performs' in the right area can make the training quick, easy and better for you both. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge, the right attitude and perseverance!
Let's face it, 'accidents' are going to happen, especially with small dog puppies. When they do, don't punish or reprimand them - it's asking too much of their little bladders! It's also confusing if the scolding comes long after the deed is done and they've forgotten all about it. It's better for you to give positive reinforcement when they perform their duty in the appropriate places, rather than creating negative associations with elimination. The more encouraging you are, the more receptive your small dog will be.

When cleaning up the mess make sure it's spotless, since you don't want to leave a trace of the familiar odour. Otherwise, your precious pooch may think its okay to "do its business" in that spot again.

How often?
Although the predictability of your small dog 'having to go' will improve with age, the early weeks can be a bit of a guessing game. Because of their tiny bowel and bladder, small dog puppies need to urinate or defecate more often. Oh yes, prepare to be busy in the beginning. But, there's good news! The older your puppy gets, the longer your puppy can wait to be taken out.

The truth is that your puppy doesn't really want to mess its bed or crate. But sometimes your little friend doesn't have a choice, especially in the early stages of learning how to house train. Sometimes your precious pup just doesn't have the means to tell you. Whatever the case, your favourite friend certainly doesn't want to disappoint you. So, be patient! With a little time and practice, it will get better.

Scheduling
Your small dog's sleeping and eating times are factors that you can control to some extent. Start by taking your small dog outside for about 5 minutes first thing in the morning, and follow up with 15 minutes after its eaten breakfast. The sooner you establish a routine for your precious puppy, the more stable its bowel and bladder habits will become.

Also, keep a consistent schedule with meal times. Make sure to complete meals and snacks several hours before bedtime. It is recommended to leave your small dog's meals out for only 30 to 40 minutes, and then put them away if they are unfinished. That way, your small dog will learn to eat when its food is out and it will establish a good routine.

You also want to avoid sudden changes or table scraps in your small dog's diet. Of course, your schedule is important in this process too, so give your small dog puppy meals at times when you know you'll be there to let it outside afterwards.

Training
Most dogs will need to learn 'eliminating' outdoors, so try to identify a designated area and give them positive feedback when they relieve themselves. If your small dog doesn't go right away, let it take a moment to sniff around and adjust to the thrill of being outdoors.

Wait with your small dog, and repeat a command such as "hurry up" or "be quick" when they're eliminating, and give them praise when they've accomplished their mission. Your instinct may be to give your precious pooch "some space" while eliminating, but if you stay on top of giving commands at this time, your little friend will be more likely to make the connection and follow your order.

So, when do you know for sure that your puppy is house trained? If four consecutive weeks have passed without any "accidents" inside, you can safely say that your little friend has been "broken-in". There's nothing more satisfying than knowing that you and your puppy have succeeded together. And that, we're sure, is going to be a relief!

By taking the time to toilet train your small dog, you'll not only prevent 'accident' from occurring, but you'll also encourage it to be more independent. Plus, when your precious pooch does 'go' in the right place at the right time, it's just another reason for you to give it even more hugs, kisses and treats. Now that's rewarding!

The information above is of a general nature, and may be used as a handy guide to help you monitor your pet's well being and development. It should not be used as a substitute for professional advice. All decisions regarding your pet are your responsibility.