After three gloriously beautiful days that the puppies got to spend all day out in the yard romping and playing, it turned cold and rainy during the night last night.  This morning, they were not happy at the thought of staying in the big crate they share at night.  So, we had to come up with plan B.  We have ended up with them in the master bath where there is run to play, but not enough room for us to have to “hunt” messes.

This works as another step in their house breaking as well.  By expanding their area in the house and putting down puppy pads, we are working on getting them used to the idea of just having the one area that they use as their bathroom.  There have been some accidents today, but also quite a bit on the puppy pads.  This is a process you just can’t get frustrated at and have to keep working on with them.  Positive reinforcement and keeping the accidents cleaned up with a cleaner that contains natural enzymes (I prefer Nature’s Miracle and get it at Tractor Supply.) is a must.  This type of cleaner breaks down the smells and removes them.  Any other cleaner will just mask the smell to humans, but leave it there for pets to find.  It will also possibly “set in” the smell so that it can not be removed with the enzymes later on!

Also, remember that it is best not to be formal with their training or expect no accidents until they are older than 12 weeks and their little bodies are completely ready for house breaking.  Before then, you are just preparing them for making things easier and helping them get the hang of things!  This means using puppy gates or similar barriers to form a small area of your house that is easily cleaned is the best way to start out and then go from there!  When the weather is nice, you can play with them in the yard and take them out frequently to help them get used to a “clean” area!