Remove all uneaten food within half hour of feeding. Small breed pups, and toy pups should be fed four times a day. Larger breed pups can be fed two or three times a day. The last feeding should be around four hours before bed time. Remove water two to three hours before bed. Just before bed take the pup out again, and as always you must go out too, ready to offer the reward. Make sure you let the dog run and play. As your pup ages you may also use these outside times to get him, or her, used to the leash and collar.
Continue daily, dogs thrive on routine. He may want to stay out in the yard longer than you do, and this is okay, but remember dogs are basically pack animals, they will not want to be left alone too long. The key to successful house training is dependent on you being out with the rewards. People often get lazy and wait for the dog to come in before rewarding it, but the dog then associates the reward with coming in. If you are consistent you should have a fully house trained pup in a few weeks.
Don'ts
Do not use pee pads or newspapers. These encourage dogs to pee in the wrong spots, the dog does not understand why its okay to urinate on some things but not others.
Do not give attention to a pup who cries while in the crate, this rewards them, and encourages them to whine. Even yelling is giving the dog attention - you must totally ignore it.
Do not use the crate for punishment, it is the dogs safe place, a den.
Do not disturb a dog when they go into the crate, and make sure all children know to leave the dog alone if it goes into its "den".
Do not give any food or water to the dog while it is in the crate, this will only make it need to go to the bathroom sooner. A good, safe, chew toy is okay.
Do not take any pup off your property until it is fully vaccinated (around 12 weeks) this is to prevent him getting a disease such as Parvo.
Do not leave a pup in a crate for more than eight hours at a time, or more than sixteen hours in a day. If you work, try to come home at lunch to take the pup out, or have a neighbour do it.
Common problems
The biggest problems are caused by human error, of which I have mentioned the causes in the "Don'ts" section above. Mainly giving attention, either positive or negative, to a crying pup. The other biggest problem is people who do not go out with the dog, but expect it to learn on its own. Planning when you get a pup is key, if you do not have time to train properly perhaps you should consider getting an older, already trained dog or pup.
Remember dogs respond better to reward than to punishments, putting their nose in an accident is not going to help them to learn that it was wrong.
If the pup is still having consistent problems after 3 months of trying you should see a veterinarian to rule out medical problems.
