MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION!!!
These are the keywords when it comes to housetraining. A dog or puppy that hasn't gone a month or so without having an 'accident' should NEVER be left to roam out of your direct line of sight!
Puppies need to pee...a lot! They need to pee:
When they first wake up in the morning, usually twice before their bladder is empty
When they wake up from a nap
About 15 to 20 minutes after drinking
After playing for 15 or 20 minutes
After meals
Last thing before bed time
They poop a lot, also:
When they wake up
About 15 to 20 minutes after eating a meal (and pups under 6 months should eat 3 times/day)
And last thing at night
Potty trips should be specifically to 'take care of business'. This means take puppy out on a leash and be prepared to be there for 10 minutes. Take puppy to the designated Potty Area and stand there. Don't follow puppy around, don't take to puppy or play with puppy. Don't let puppy play with a leaf or chew on rocks...pup can do all those things AFTER relieving him/her self.
Taking along a nice treat or toy can reward pup for their efforts, but make sure pup is empty before playing.
If you just put pup outside and expect her to potty on her own, she will become distracted by...life, and won't go until she's back in the house where she is bored or suddenly discovers her bladder is FULL!
If you yell at puppy, he's liable to start looking for an out-of-the-way place to go, and not wanting to go when you are outside with him, or hiding behind the bushes, so refrain from spanking your puppy after an accident.
