Puppies do not have a lot of room in their torso or 'trunk' area. When they eat, the pressure placed against their bowls and bladder by an expanded stomach make them have to go. So don't get frustrated at the amount they have to go, take them out. I like to carry young pups outside after they wake up as to decrease the chances of starting to go on the floor.

The best way to housebreak is to crate train, which is addressed in a separate area under the dog training section. Crate training makes the puppy hold its bladder because it cannot escape from the crate. When you give your puppy the run of the house, it can go anywhere, so why should it wait and go outside?

Many people have a harder time potty training small dogs because they are more lenient with them. Also, the smaller messes are not as irritating to clean up. Don't let the round head and huge eyes fool you. A puppy is a puppy in many ways.

The rough gauge you can give bladder control is the puppy's age in hours. A two-month-old puppy can hold their bladder for maybe two hours, and possibly four while asleep. Eight weeks seems the perfect age, but get ready for the midnight runs. They will last at least a month. Most puppies can make it trough the night by four months. Their night may be shorter then yours, so be warned.

When the puppy is awake, it should go out before it eats, after it eats, and every two hours. After it drinks, after it plays, and whenever it wakes up. Any intense action should lead to a bathroom break. This constant venture into the outside will help the puppy get the clue.

It may take a few days for the pup to comprehend outside. Many have never been outside until you take them home. If you catch the puppy having an accident scup it up and run outside. Go barefoot and half naked, but get the pup outside. Then tickle rub ad tell it how wonderful it is. Make a total fool of yourself, and you're puppy will discover going to the bathroom outside is wonderful.

Do now show the spot to the puppy and scold it or rub its nose in it. The puppy is not only clueless about why you are so interested in it smelling the accident, that it may come to one of three conclusions.

One: You want it to go in that spot again. This is why you are showing it to him and becoming excited. (note: this action should be done outside)

Two: You wish for him to go in the house. You do not become this excited about accidents outside, so he's doing something wrong.

Three: You don't like to see him go to the bathroom. This often leads to 'shy' dogs that won't go to the bathroom while you watch. They think using the bathroom makes you angry.

Young pups, especially males, will leak when excited. It takes a while for bladder control to be 10%, but you're on the right road. It takes time.