When the excitement of bringing a new puppy home wears off, the reality sets in that the puppy needs to be housebroken. If not properly supervised, a puppy will just do its business anywhere in the house. It is up to the adult, or master, to take control.
The key to efficient housebreaking is patience. The puppy must be led outdoors to an area designated as the "potty" and allowed to investigate the spot. Eventually the puppy will recognize it as the area to go. Taking a 6-8 week old puppy outside every 1-3 hours will ensure a good start to training. Using positive reinforcement and an occasional treat as a reward for good behavior will make the experience much better for both the pet and the owner. Never rub their nose in an accident or scold them. Use kindness and patience as you would with a child.
Monitoring your puppy's mealtimes and being consistent will aid in the process. Take your puppy outside in the morning, after meals and after a nap. You also want to take them outside if there was a period of time they have been left alone and again right before bedtime. This will reinforce where they should be relieving themselves. Creating a schedule for your pet over time is good for you and for them.
Some pet owners use a crate for training as an alternative method. Providing a crate for your pet to sleep in will encourage them to hold it until you let them out, as they will not want to mess where they sleep. Taking the puppy directly outside as soon as you let them out of the crate reinforces where you wish for them to do their business. The rule of thumb is to not purchase a crate that is too large for the puppy, or they may identify an area for waste and an area for sleep. Either method you choose is a matter of preference, just remember to be consistent and be kind.
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