There are five essential housetraining facts to know before you start the process of housebreaking a dog or puppy. They are:
• Adult dogs can be housebroken in the same way as puppies.
• Puppies have limited bladder control.
• Dogs & puppies like to be clean and to sleep in a clean area.
• All dogs do best when kept to a routine schedule.
• Dogs have to go...
o After they wake up in the morning or after a nap
o within 1/2 hour after eating
o before they go to sleep
If a dog – especially a puppy – is not allowed to relieve itself at those times, it will most likely have an accident. Don't wait for the dog to tell you that it has to go out. Just assume that he does and take him outside.