House-training a puppy

House-training takes time: from a few weeks to a few months, depending on your puppy's age and how consistent you are. Two things matter most: take it out at the right times, and reward it the moment it goes in the right place.

When to take your puppy out

• As soon as it wakes up.
• About 15 minutes after each meal.
• After play or excitement.
• Before bed.
• At first, every hour or two while it's awake. Young puppies can't hold on for long.

Signs it needs to go: sniffing the floor, circling, or suddenly heading for the door.

Step by step

1. Pick one spot: a corner outside, or pads or artificial grass on the balcony.
2. Take your puppy there on the leash and wait quietly, with no play.
3. Say a cue word, like "toilet", while it goes.
4. As soon as it's done, praise it and give a small treat right away. A minute later is too late.
5. Nothing after five minutes? Go back in and try again in 15 minutes.

In a flat, before the vaccines are done

Until your vet says your puppy can go on the street, use pads or artificial grass in one fixed spot. Then move training outside gradually, taking a used pad with you at first so the smell reminds it.

A crate helps

Dogs don't like to soil where they sleep, so a crate of the right size helps a puppy hold on for short periods. Make it cosy with a toy and a blanket, never use it as punishment, and don't leave your puppy in it for hours.

When accidents happen

• Don't shout, hit or push its nose in it. That teaches fear and hiding, not going outside.
• If you catch it in the act, say "no" calmly and carry it to the right spot.
• Clean with an enzyme cleaner. Ammonia cleaners smell like urine and draw your puppy back to the same place.

At night

Keep the crate or bed next to you. A young puppy will usually wake once or twice; take it out calmly and put it back to bed without play.