Routines vary from puppy to puppy, but you should take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, naps, and play sessions, and every few hours during the day. Your puppy needs to urinate and defecate on the last walk of the night if you hope to have a good night's sleep.

Most puppies can be reliably housetrained by the age of 6 months, but some take longer. Teach commands and reward your puppy when he goes in the designated areas to speed the housetraining process. As your puppy squats to urinate, praise as the puppy goes and reward him with a treat after he is done. Use a "get busy" command for defecation and again lavish praise and reward when the puppy finishes the act. Most puppies can be taught to relieve themselves on command.

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