We can imitate nature by providing your dog with his own den, in this case a crate.  Pick a crate size that will accommodate your pet when he is full grown.   This will provide you service for a long time.  When your puppy is small, section off an area that will be adequate for his current needs.  Remember, our idea is for the puppy to keep his den clean.  By keeping his room small he will be unable to find a corner in which to "potty". Your puppy should be able to stand, sit and lie down comfortably, but have no room to spare.

Your young pup is coming to you with an open mind.  It is up to you, with consistency, repetition, praise, patience, and kindness, to help him develop into a dog of which you can be proud.  A simple rule that must be followed is when the pup is left unattended, he must be restricted to his crate.    

Take your puppy outside after he eats, drinks, plays, or sleeps.  After he finishes his "job" outside, heap praise on him, as he wants to please you.  Then, bring him back inside.

Restrict the puppy to his crate at bedtime, when you are away from home for several hours, or when you are unable to watch him closely.  As long as he is old enough and has control, he will hold "it" until given the opportunity to go outside.  Remember, be fair!  He is only a baby!

Furnish the crate simply.  Use a rug, crate mat, or blanket to provide him with a comfortable area.  Make sure the entire floor area is covered.  This will help convey the idea that no area is to be used as a potty.  Allow him a toy to chew on while crated.  Favorite toys should always be returned to the crate when playtime is over.

The crate will serve as his home for his lifetime.  He will feel comfortable and secure in it.  It will be an asset when traveling or restricting his activity when non-dog friends or relatives come to visit.  The crate can also be used to house the dog when you do not want him underfoot and is an excellent restraining device for your dog while riding in the car.

A crate is a helpful investment that will be worth its weight in gold.  Use the following schedule for a step-by-step schedule of how to housebreak your puppy.

    1.   Bedtime - take the puppy outside and give him the opportunity to exercise.  If he has previously pottied in a certain spot, take him back to the same spot.  If he is to be on a leash, don't choke him.  Use a buckle collar for exercise, or a properly fitted training collar on the dead (non-choking) ring.

     2.   Morning - THE VERY FIRST THING - pick him up and take him outside.  He's tried to be clean all night, so you hurry and he will do his business in a rush.  Watch him and make sure he has gone.  Many puppies go twice first thing in the morning.  Now, bring him in and give him freedom in a confined area such as the kitchen with the door blocked.  Baby gates work well for confining the puppy for his play times.

     3.   Feed - after you have done your first morning chores and had your breakfast, feed him his food.  It may work well to feed him in his crate if you so desire.  After he eats, take him outside.

     4.   After you see him potty, bring him inside and put him in his crate.

     5.   Noon - take him out of his crate and take him outside.  Watch him and make sure he goes potty.

     6.   Bring him inside after he potties, and give him confined freedom with you watching for an hour or two.

      7.   Feed - follow steps 3 and 4.

      8.   Dinner time - take him outside to go potty.  bring him in for confined freedom while you prepare your own dinner and his.  After you eat, feed the puppy, then take him outside just as soon as he finishes.  Do NOT feed your puppy later than 6:00 PM.

      9.   After dinner - allow him controlled freedom (always with you keeping an eye on him) until about 8:00 PM.  Take him outside to potty, then put him in his crate.  Just before you retire, go through the bedtime routine (step #1).

If you keep up this routine for at least two weeks, preventing him from pottying in the house in the process, and praising him for being good, the pattern should be set.  You can now start allowing him a little more freedom from his crate.

After a few more weeks, if the puppy is good, crate him only at night and when you leave the house.

Once you are confident of his progress, start limited introduction to other rooms, but only when you are with the puppy and when your attention can be on him.  IMPORTANT - during these periods of freedom, be sensitive to any whining or attempts to go to the door, to any loss of interest in you or a toy, to any circling around by the puppy - immediately take him outside.

If by some chance, your puppy has an accident, let him know by your voice and expression that you don't want this and that you are angry - that he is bad and wrong - and put him outside.  In order to do this correction you must catch the dog in the act - you can't correct for something he did an hour or even a few minutes ago.  He only associates with now.

GOOD LUCK!!!