House training is one of the first tasks you should undertake as a new owner of a puppy. You need to be committed and consistent, the first couple of weeks are extremely important in establishing a good routine for your dog to follow. Puppies learn very quickly with proper instruction. What you teach your new puppy in the first few weeks will usually last a lifetime. 

Some key points for training your new puppy; all puppies have a very small bladder, very similar to a baby. For that reason they will need to go to the toilet quite often. The best way to train your puppy is to have a designated area for your dog to go to outside. This can be as simple as, the general outside of the house, or a specific area of the backyard. Dogs tend to be creatures of habit, if you introduce them to a behavior they will normally keep the same process happening. You need to take them outside on a regular basis - in the morning when they wake, after a nap, after every meal, when they are excited or nervous and the last thing at night before they go to bed.

There are a few tell tale signs your dog needs to go to the toilet. They will walk in circles, sit near the door, sniff or become restless. Always praise your dog for going in the correct spot. Never punish a puppy for little accidents, they are just learning. If your puppy starts to make a mistake tell them “no” in a stern voice, and then take them directly out to the designated toilet area. Don’t discipline them too severely, their mistake has probably happened because you weren’t paying attention to them. When they are in the house always know where they are, by observing them you can help them avoid little mistakes.

Dogs are instinctively very clean animals. They don’t like to soil themselves, or near  where they sleep and eat. They would also rather go to the toilet on grass rather than concrete or gravel, so make sure when purchasing a dog that you have a grassed area for them to play and soil in.

Dogs are very quick learners, they learn by linking cause and effect. You teach your puppy by showing pleasure and displeasure  at their behavior, rewarding them constantly with praise will lead to quicker learning, and will get the best response from them. Spending quality time with your dog is the best way for it to respond to your training techniques. Repetition and consistency will provide your puppy with the best start in life. House training is only the beginning of your training routine, but once you have mastered this, all the other  training you do should come quite easily to your dog.