There is basically two schools of thought when potty training a puppy or adult dog. While these two methods have their proponents and champions, only one has delivered consistent results no matter what the breed, size or age of your pet.

If you do end up searching around the web, you're certain to find people who support one way or the other to housebreak your dog. The problem is that many times there's a lack of follow through or consistency by the owner that results in a failed housebreaking effort.

While the excuses range from not enough time to limited ability to be involved with your pet during training, the reality is that this simply isn't acceptable. You MUST be consistent in your training if you ever expect your puppy dog to be consistent in his potty training.

This is the single most important tip for successfully potty training puppies or adult animals. Contrary to many, it's also possible to potty train an old dog. Older dogs sometimes take a little longer because you need to break bad habits along with establishing new ones.

The first method that many people seem to prefer is the idea of piddle pads or an area where Fido can go to the bathroom without assistance. You may find these people, keeping their pet an enclosed room or bathroom with newspapers are absorbent pads being placed in a corner of the area. There are several problems with this method.

You're encouraging your pet to use your home as a bathroom! All dogs are trained by association. This means that if there's one area of your house where your puppy is encouraged to use, soon they will associate urinating and defecating in that area as something you want them to do. If it doesn't bother you to clean up this mess on a daily basis for the life of your pet, and this is a potential way to at least partially housebreak your pet.

The second method is much more effective and eliminates any approval going to your dog should they relieve themselves in your home. The crate training method uses a canine's natural instinct to keep their personal space clean. Dogs, being pack animals, will not relieve themselves in the same area that they sleep and eat. Crate training uses this natural instinct to provide you opportunities to associate going outdoors to use the bathroom and positive reinforcement.

This can work with your puppie too!

Remember that your pet wants to please you and when you give your approval for going in the house, you can never expect your pet to be completely trustworthy in your home!

The two most common reasons given for attempting to housebreak a dog by allowing them to urinate in the home are that the pup is alone during the day and the weather. There are many people in the Northeast in colder climates that have dogs that are only partially housetrained because owners were unwilling to stand outside for five to 15 minutes in the winter. These are also the people that complain that their dog just can't be housebroken.

The other reason given for allowing an even encouraging their dog to relieve themselves inside their home is that they are away during the day. While I realize that people must work, there are alternatives that are available with a little planning. Remember that we're not talking long term here. The vast majority of pets can be expected to be almost completely housebroken in less than six months.

It doesn't matter if you want to do Dachshund puppy potty training or Saint Bernard training, the process is always the same. Consistant and lots of praise will get your dog on their way to becoming completely housebroken.

Successful house training demands consistent behavior from the owner. It's only through that consistency that your puppy can be successfully potty trained. The end result for your efforts will be a pet, who can be relied upon to keep your home free of your and poop