Housetraining is one of the first things to teach your puppy and it is the start of your relationship with them. It is important that the puppy's first experience of housetraining is a positive one.

Here are a few tips:

• Keep your puppy confined to a small play area at first if you cannot keep an eye on him or when you are away from home. This could be the kitchen, laundry, bathroom or a section of a room cordoned off. This area should have a floor that can be easily cleaned.
• Ensure the puppy has a comfortable bed, a bowl of fresh water and plenty of good quality chew toys. The best chew toys are kongs. You will be teaching him to chew toys and nothing else. It is also a great idea to feed some of your puppy's food in Kongs.
• Create a toilet area at the furthest point from his bed. A cheap and easy method is to place newspaper with plastic underneath to ensure nothing leaks through.
• Make sure that the pupp cannot get to other items in the room.

You should always try to take your puppy out at the following times:

• Immediately after the puppy wakes up
• First thing in the morning
• Last thing at night
• A few minutes after eating
  
• After playing
• After any excitement (e.g. after friends meet your puppy).

Reward your puppy

Do not rub his nose in the mess!

Take things slowly, stay consistent and keep a routine.

Remember prevention is the key to successful housetraining.