Most puppies are too young to be held responsible for their bladder and
bowel habits. A pup will go to the bathroom in the right place sometimes. That
may be because she learns fast and is smart, or it may be an accident that
was just lucky. It is your job to create opportunities for your pup to be
successful and to go in the correct place, outside.

Remember these things!

1. Always take your puppy out FIRST thing in the morning, before you do
anything.

2. Always take your puppy out FIRST thing after eating a large amount of food.

3. Use a timer or a clock, set it at 30 minutes, and take your puppy out each
time the timer goes off.  If she doesn't relieve herself, just praise her for going
outside. As she gets older, you can increase the time. You only need to stay
outside with her for a few minutes. Then take her out again every 30 minutes.  
During the day your puppy should be able to hold her bladder for 1 hour.  
However, the first week home, take her outside more often.  This will give you
an idea of how well your puppy can hold her bladder.  Monitor output (pee and poop).

Learn to read her body language.

When a puppy starts circling or sniffing around, pick her up and take her
outside FAST.

NEVER leave your pup unattended in the house or even a room at a young
age. A dog should not be left alone in a house until they are at least one year
old, sometimes two. Make sure they have been well-behaved and trustworthy
with their bathroom habits first.

When you can't watch her, put your puppy in the yard, a pen, or a crate with
some toys. But don't forget about her and don't leave her out there too long!  
She wants to be with you!!!

Give your puppy her last meal aat 4pm, and make
sure she goes outside to relieve herself just before you go to bed for the night.
​DO NOT let her roam free during the night. She should be confined.

Never yell at your dog or push her nose in her messes. She is very young.
Human babies don't learn to use the toilet until they are two or three years old,
right? Don't ask too much of your puppy. Give her opportunities to be
successful.

Be sure to clean up the areas in the house where your dog has already
messed in. Use something that will take away any odor that is there. Dogs will
mess again if they can smell the areas.

Crate Training
We crate condition our puppies at a young age.  They are first introduced to a crate at 3 1/2-4 weeks
of age in their play/sleep area(puppy play den).  At this time the crate door is always left open.  This gives them
the opportunity to explore the crate.  Very often the whole litter will climb into the crate
together when small.  Eventually the puppies start crating individually for eating(3x/day).    

Dogs will usually not mess in small areas because it feels like a cave or home
to them. Then, when the people come home or wake up, they let their dog out
into the yard or on a leash for a walk.  Do not give your dog too much space in crate.
​ Just enough space for her to lay down comfortably.

Crate training is a good way to help your dog become housebroken and to learn to relax and settle down. Dogs
like crates because it gives them a chance to be alone for a little while. Even
dogs like privacy!