One of the first challenges faced by many dog owners is training their puppy to relieve himself outside and not in the house. Although training should begin from the time you bring your puppy home, real results should not be expected until
he is about 16 weeks old. That's when puppies have gained full bladder and bowel control. Before then, waiting to go outside is physically impossible.
In the meantime, you should take your puppy outside right after playing, eating, waking up, and the like. He will soon start to get the idea that certain things are done outdoors! It is important to be vigilant and consistent when housetraining your puppy.
Generally speaking, it's more difficult to train a smaller dog
than a big one. Small dogs see a house as a large enough area to live in. As a result, they have the desire to mark their territory inside. Larger dogs prefer to mark a larger area and thus are more willing to go outside.
No matter the size of your dog, limit his freedom in your home until training is complete. Crates and gated enclosures can help you accomplish this task. Any mistakes that are made and not immediately noticed will confuse your dog and make the process
take longer.

How to Train
Take your puppy outside once an hour, whether it's needed or not. By doing this, you'll determine how often your puppy needs to be let out. At this point, you must go outside with him every time. This way you can praise your dog immediately, as soon as he relieves himself.
When you are outside in the area where you want your dog to relieve himself, reinforce the idea with a short phrase, such as 'do your business' or 'potty time.' You should never use this expression at any other time. If you're inside and want to take your dog out, use another phrase, such as 'let's go outside.'
Praise your puppy sincerely when he goes in the right place. Praise can be in the form of a treat or by doing what your puppy wants to do when he's finished. This could be playing
outside or immediately going back inside.
If you see your puppy making a mistake while you're inside, scoop up your dog and say 'outside' while you're taking him there. If you can't carry your dog, use a leash.

When You're Not Home
When you're not home, keep your dog in a safe and confined place, such as a crate. The
crate should be large enough for your puppy to lie down and stand fully erect. Many pet owners prefer plastic crates with wire windows and doors because they provide a cozy
'den-like' environment for the pet and are easy to transport. A small room enclosed by gates will also work, as long as it's not a location where your dog may go to the bathroom.
Don't leave food out when you're not home. Your dog should have access to water, but not while he is in the crate or right before he will spend a long amount of time in the crate. Feed your puppy only when you're there watching. Remember, controlling when food is put into the body makes it much easier to train when and where the waste will come out.

No matter the size of your dog, limit his freedom in
your home until training is complete. Any mistakes not
immediately noticed will confuse your dog and make
the process take longer.

What to Do at Night
Many people wonder why a dog can hold his bladder for 8 hours overnight but not for 8 hours during the day. The reason is simple: During the night, the body is at rest and bodily
functions slow down. During the day, they're more active.
When you wake up in the morning, be sure to take your dog out immediately. If possible, take him out more than once.

When an 'Oops' Happens
If your puppy makes a mistake and you don't see it happen, don't punish your puppy. The 'accident' is your fault for not paying attention, not your dog's fault. Punishment during
housetraining is considered negative reinforcement and can make the training process more difficult. Remember, commitment and consistency are the keys to successfully housetraining your puppy.
Housetraining can be frustrating, but keep in mind that it is possible. With proper supervision, your pet will know where to go when he has to go, leaving your house mess and
smell-free.