A puppy isn t born knowing that your carpet is not an acceptable place to relieve himself. Stay outside as often as possible during nice weather so your puppy can develop a preference for eliminating outdoors. Help him develop a liking for surfaces like dirt and gravel by taking him outdoors to eliminate after eating, playing and sleeping or, ideally, every 15 minutes. When it s time, go straight to a predesignated area and don t leave until the puppy urinates. Tuck your puppy into a cozy crate in your bedroom at night.
Dogs are den animals and don t like to soil the area where they sleep.
Carry the puppy outdoors when he becomes restless in the middle of the night, and wait until he s finished relieving himself. If you do want to take him outside, set your alarm if you sleep too deeply to notice that your puppy has started fidgeting, and carry him outside at those times. Be consistent with training. Consult a pet behaviorist if you have problems. Reward your dog with puppy treats and praise every time he successfully eliminates outdoors.