If you have just brought a new puppy or dog into your family and plan for them to be a house dog, getting your new pet house trained should be your first priority. There are many dog potty training methods that will help you out and the method you choose to use will depend on your own personal preference and your family’s lifestyle.

Paper training is one type of potty training you can use. The basic idea here is to teach your new dog or puppy to do their business on a paper somewhere in your house. Praising them when they do what you want is important and getting after them (in a loving yet stern manner) when they make a mess in the house. You can combine this with the next technique to encourage them to go outside when possible, but use the paper if they have to go inside.

Training your dog to go to the bathroom outside is one of the most common methods of house training. One way to go about doing this is to take your new dog or puppy out frequently and praise them when they go to the bathroom to let them know they did what you want. Scolding them when they make a mess in the house is important too. If you want to combine techniques, you can praise them a little bit when they go on the paper and praise them excessively when they go outside. This will help them know you want them to go outside, but it is ok if they have to use the paper.

Another possible technique to use is called crate training and works well for people who can’t let their dog out frequently. Check out the links at KDMGermanShepherds.com for more information on obedience training for dogs including the Ultimate House Training guide and the Secrets to Dog Training program which will train your dog to be nearly perfect.

For those of you who own a German Shepherd, be sure to check out the German Shepherd puppy training page we put together at KDMGermanShepherds.com. You will find helpful advice for German Shepherd puppies as well as more information about some of the top dog training courses available on the internet.