Bringing a German Shepherd puppy into your home is an exciting time. Known for their intelligence and loyalty, German Shepherds make wonderful companions. However, like all puppies, they require consistent training, and housebreaking is one of the first and most important steps. This guide provides a comprehensive approach to housebreaking your German Shepherd puppy, ensuring a clean and happy home for both of you.
Understanding the Basics of Housebreaking
Housebreaking, also known as potty training, is teaching your puppy where it is appropriate to relieve themselves. The goal is to prevent your puppy from eliminating inside your home by creating opportunities for them to go outside. Consistency and patience are key to success. Remember, a dog is a creature of habit and learns by association. Consistent training helps them quickly understand that the only acceptable place to relieve themselves is outdoors.
Key Concepts in Housebreaking
There are five key concepts to teach your puppy during housebreaking:
- Designated Potty Area: Teach your puppy where you want them to go potty.
- Forbidden Areas: Teach your puppy where you don’t want them to go potty.
- Holding It: Teach your puppy to hold it when they don’t have access to the potty area.
- Communication: Teach your puppy how to tell you when they need to go potty.
- Potty Command: Teach your puppy a phrase or word to go potty when you need them to.
For this guide, we’ll assume you’re training your puppy to go potty outdoors. If you prefer indoor training, simply replace “outside” with “potty area”.
Preparing for Housebreaking
Before you bring your German Shepherd puppy home, gather the necessary supplies and set up a routine.
Essential Supplies
- Crate: A crate provides a secure den for your puppy and aids in housebreaking.
- Leash: A 6-foot leash is essential for taking your puppy to their designated potty spot.
- Collar: For attaching the leash and identification tags.
- Pet-safe Cleaner: To clean up accidents thoroughly and eliminate odors, which can attract your puppy back to the same spot.
- Treats: Use small, tasty treats to reward your puppy when they eliminate outside.
- Baby Gates: If you plan to restrict your puppy’s access to certain areas of the house.
Setting Up a Routine
- Feeding Schedule: Feed your puppy at the same times each day. Consistent feeding times lead to more predictable potty breaks.
- Potty Schedule: Take your puppy out frequently, especially after waking up, after meals, after naps, and after playtime.
- Designated Potty Spot: Choose a specific area in your yard for your puppy to eliminate. Always take them to the same spot so they associate the scent with going potty.
Step-by-Step Housebreaking Method
Step 1: Crate Training
Crate training is a highly effective method for housebreaking. Dogs have a natural instinct to keep their sleeping area clean. A crate leverages this instinct, teaching your puppy to hold their bladder and bowels.
- Choosing the Right Crate: The crate should be large enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. If the crate is too big, your puppy might use one area as a bathroom and another as a sleeping area.
- Introducing the Crate: Make the crate a positive experience. Place treats and toys inside to encourage your puppy to enter. Feed your puppy their meals inside the crate.
- Crate Time: Gradually increase the amount of time your puppy spends in the crate. Start with short periods and gradually increase the duration.
- Never Use the Crate as Punishment: The crate should be a safe and comfortable space, not a place of punishment.
Step 2: Consistent Potty Breaks
- Frequent Outings: Take your puppy out every two to three hours, especially after waking up, eating, and playing.
- Leash Guidance: Keep your puppy on a 6-foot leash during potty breaks. This prevents them from getting distracted and allows you to guide them to the designated spot.
- The Waiting Game: Be patient. If your puppy doesn’t eliminate within 10 minutes, go back inside but keep them on a leash and try again in 10-15 minutes.
- Ignore Playtime: Avoid playing with your puppy during potty breaks. Focus solely on the task at hand.
Step 3: Positive Reinforcement
- Immediate Praise: When your puppy eliminates outside, praise them immediately with an enthusiastic “Good potty!” or “Good dog!”.
- Reward with Treats: Give your puppy a small, tasty treat immediately after they finish eliminating. This creates a positive association with going potty outside.
- Consistency is Key: Always praise and reward your puppy immediately after they eliminate outside.
Step 4: Supervision and Confinement
- Constant Supervision: Keep a close eye on your puppy when they’re inside. If you can’t supervise, confine them to a small area like their crate or a gated area.
- Recognizing the Signs: Learn to recognize the signs that your puppy needs to go potty, such as circling, sniffing, squatting, or barking at the door.
- Tethering: If you’re not actively training, tether your puppy to you with a leash. This allows you to quickly redirect them if they show signs of needing to go potty.
Step 5: Dealing with Accidents
- Accidents Happen: Even with the best efforts, accidents will happen. It’s important to remain calm and avoid punishment.
- Clean Thoroughly: Clean up accidents immediately with a pet-safe cleaner. This eliminates odors that might attract your puppy back to the same spot.
- Never Punish: Never scold or punish your puppy for having an accident. This can create fear and anxiety, making housebreaking more difficult.
- Supervise More Closely: If you find frequent accidents, it means you need to supervise your puppy more closely.
Troubleshooting Common Housebreaking Problems
Puppy Won’t Go Potty Outside
- Be Patient: Some puppies take longer to adjust to going potty outside.
- Eliminate Distractions: Keep the potty area free of toys, other pets, and children.
- Try Different Surfaces: Some puppies prefer grass, while others prefer concrete or gravel.
- Consult Your Vet: Rule out any medical issues that might be affecting your puppy’s ability to control their bladder or bowels.
Puppy Has Accidents in the Crate
- Crate Size: Make sure the crate is the right size. If it’s too large, your puppy might use one area as a bathroom and another as a sleeping area.
- Medical Issues: Take your puppy to the vet to rule out any medical problems.
- Professional Help: Contact a trainer or behaviorist for advice.
- Past Trauma: Determine if the dog was kept for long periods of time in a cage where it was forced to urinate and defecate where it sleeps. This makes housetraining more difficult, and advice from a professional may be required.
Puppy Runs Around and Plays During Potty Breaks
- Keep on Leash: Make sure your puppy is on a leash about 6 feet long.
- Eliminate Play Triggers: Make sure there are no play triggers around, such as toys, pets, children, etc.
- Ignore the Puppy: Don’t talk to or play with her, don’t yell at her and don’t point out any poop.
- Walk Back and Forth: Just walk back and forth, and don’t make a big deal about anything.
Additional Tips for Success
- Stay Consistent: Consistency is key to successful housebreaking. Stick to a routine and follow the steps outlined in this guide.
- Be Patient: Housebreaking takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if your puppy has accidents.
- Use a Potty Command: Teach your puppy a specific word or phrase to use when you want them to eliminate, such as “Go potty” or “Do your business”.
- Consider Professional Help: If you’re struggling with housebreaking, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
Conclusion
Housebreaking a German Shepherd puppy requires a consistent approach. By understanding the key concepts, preparing a routine, and following the steps in this guide, you can successfully housebreak your puppy and enjoy a clean and happy home. Remember to be patient, stay consistent, and use positive reinforcement to help your puppy learn. With time and dedication, your German Shepherd puppy will become a well-trained and beloved member of your family.