No single problem can loom larger for the new dog owner than housebreaking.
But it needn't be an obstacle to a clean and orderly home.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING TO REMEMBER? Your dog wants to please you. Once you show your pet what you expect and give her a chance to live up to your
expectations, your task will probably be completed.

IS ONE SEX EASIER TO TRAIN THAN THE OTHER? Very often, but not inevitably, females are a little easier to train. Male dogs urinate not only to
dispose of body wastes but to advise other dogs, frequently and routinely, of territorial boundaries. This might be rough on your house, at least until the dog is trained. Females don't engage in this behavior. And because a female "goes" less often, she is more readily taught to use one place. This is a permanent advantage. Also keep in mind: if you have valued shrubs, a female won't hoist a leg and soil them.

ARE SOME BREEDS EASIER TO TRAIN? Undeniably, yes. Large dogs seem a
little easier than small ones. And working dogs and the sporting dogs are so eager to please that they're likely to be easiest of all. But success depends most of all on your relationship with your pet.

SHOULD YOU PAPER TRAIN A PUPPY FIRST, THEN GRADUATE TO THE OUTSIDE? Only when there's not other option. Paper training before outside training means, really, that you must housebreak your dog twice. That is more work for you, and confusing for your dog. Sometimes you have no choice. If you
live in a large city, your veterinarian may advise that you not take a very young puppy outside for weeks or even months. This is to protect the youngster from diseases other dogs may have left behind. You might also have to paper train a puppy that is too small to tolerate cold weather.

IS IT WISE TO PUT A PUPPY'S NOSE IN THE MESS HE'S MADE? There really is
nothing sillier than jamming a confused and frightened puppy's nose into
something his nose didn't create?

WHAT ABOUT USING A ROLLED UP NEWSPAPER FOR PUNISHMENT"? Useless! Physical punishment only makes a dog tense, and thus more likely to have an accident.