House breaking tips:  Your puppy should be started on house training the minute you bring him home. Have your supplies (treats, training pads, play pen) in place and ready to use. Scheduling and consistency is very important in house training your new puppy. Puppies will naturally need to relieve himself upon waking, after playing and shortly after eating. A regular feeding/sleep schedule are important and help you predict when the pup will need to eliminate. Remember that a young puppy does not have complete control over its elimination - THE SMALLER THE BREED, THE MORE OFTEN THEY MUST GO. Frequent trips to the yard (or pee pads if you want to train your dog on pee pads) are very necessary in the first two weeks. Do not play or talk to the puppy during these outings, he is learning that this is the elimination time, not play time. Quickly bring him or carry him to the same area to do his business (using an exercise pen to keep him where he’s supposed to be). Give him the command “go pee” or “go potty”. Once your puppy is ALL DONE his business, give LOTS OF PRAISE and/or TREATS to reinforce his behavior. If he doesn’t go after several minutes, put him back in his play pen for a short time, and then try again later. A very young puppy will not be able to hold his urine all night, so be prepared to take him out during the night. If your puppy wakes in the night and suddenly starts to whine, he probably needs to relieve himself. Quickly and quietly take him to the pee pad or outside to do his business. Immediately return your puppy to his pen- NO talking, NO treats, NO cuddling. Punishment for mistakes in the house in these early weeks doesn’t teach, and can cause behavior problems - the trick is to prevent the mistakes from happening in the first place! Remember that your love and approval are the most important things you can give your puppy - this is the best incentive used in any training.