Two most important points in house-training
your dog are careful, constant reinforcement of confinement (when indoors) and
scheduling. Confining your dog to a small area like a crate or a part of a
room with an easily cleaned floor will encourage it to "hold it" until she
gets outside. Keeping your dog on a regular schedule of feeding and walking
outdoors will make it easy for your puppy to keep clean in the house. After
your puppy has successfully gone potty when and where it is supposed to, she
can be allowed freedom to play inside before its next period of confinement.
Dogs, like wolves, have a natural instinct to keep their dens clean and to
leave their den to defecate. This is why confinement works so well. Until
training is complete, your dog should be confined anytime while in your house,
except for times immediately after she has gone potty, when you can be fairly
sure an accident won't occur.

When your puppy makes a mistake while the
course of training, harsh methods of correction are not best. If you catch her
"in the act", just say in a disapproving tone, "Wrong" or "Nuh-uh-uh" and then
bring her outside and show her where she should have gone. If you find the
evidence after the fact, just clean it as soon as possible, but not in the
presence of the dog. Be sure to have on hand a quality pet urine cleaning
product like Natures Miracle. Natures Miracle will remove all the funky dog
odors so the dog is not attracted to go in the same place again. Following
each feeding, don't just let the dog outside, but rather take the dog outdoors
and stay with her. When she does go to the bathroom, always say the same
designated word such as "potty" or "do it" . That way, she will learn to
associate the word with the act. Later, when you take her for a walk and say
the word, she will know what to do! When she does what she should do, don't
forget to show how delighted you are by praising in a positive tone what a
good dog she is! The above suggestions will work, even if you work away from
home.

While a dog may remain in your fenced yard
during working hours, very young puppies will probably have to remain indoors.
Crating a puppy for 8 hours is too long � the puppy does not have that much
room in their body. Instead, confine it in a small area such as a part of your
kitchen or bathroom. (Make sure that you "puppy-proof it for safety) or buy an
exercise pen (small kennel). Next, place a box or large dishpan in the area
and fill it with cedar shavings. Wipe up a small sample of the puppy�s urine
and feces with a paper towel and place in the cedar box so the smell will
attract the pup and give it the idea of what to do there. The box can be
cleaned by scooping out the dropping just as a box of kitty litter is cleaned.
Later, as the puppy matures, and you want to teach it to go outside, take some
smelly cedar shavings and place them in the area of the yard where you want
your dog to go.