Hi Pam.   Well your Altiquin pup's house training is under way. Your pup will only use newspaper or grass. When any dog toilets, they will always look for an area that has the right smell. That smell will be their own waste, or a familiar smell---like newspaper or grass. So, if a pup makes a mess on the floor by mistake, it is very important that you clean and bleach that area so that they cannot smell that area again. If you don't, they will always go back there as their toilet. At home, choose an area in your garden that the pup can use so that when he grows up he will naturally gravitate to that spot.

You will soon see his habits. As soon as he wakes he will want to empty himself. Before he does, pick him up and take him to the spot he is to use. To start off, put some old newspaper there so that will become familiar. When he eats he will also want to empty himself. Therefore, feed him somewhere close to that spot as well to begin with. He will have accidents. People say to rub his nose in it and throw him outside. But, that does not work. Clean up after him and make sure, as soon as you see his nose down on the floor looking for a smell, to pick him up and take him outside. If you leave him inside for any length of time, put newspaper down and he will use that.

When he starts walking outside to toilet by himself, then praise him. This will encourage him more to do it. In fact, every time he goes outside, praise him. He will soon take the hint.

I hope this answers your question fully.

Yours faithfully,  Paul,  Altiquin Dogs

altiquin@esatclear.ie