In the days when dogs ran free in the wild, they were free to relieve themselves whenever and wherever they liked. When humans began bringing them into their homes, however, things had to change. Potty training is a troublesome exercise that all dog owners must address. There are a few tried and true methods, however, that do work.

#1: Crate Training

One easy way to house-train your dog is to buy a crate or cage just big enough for them. After feeding your dog, lock them in it if you will not be supervising them. Dogs do not like to eliminate where they sleep, and if their crate is too big, a dog locked within may relieve themselves in one corner and sleep in the other. You don't want to keep your dog here for too long, of course, as they will eventually have no choice when they can no longer hold it.

#2: Go Out After Feeding

If you will be supervising your dog, simply take them outside shortly after you feed them. Watch your dog eliminate, then praise them. Your dog lives for your attention and will try his best to please you. This will instill in them the value of eliminating outside.

#3: Paper Training

When your dog is alone, or after eating you can put them in a small tiled room like a laundry room, and line the floor with paper. After a week of this start to remove one paper at a time, until there is only one left. Dogs are creatures of habit and will look for the remaining paper to keep up their routine. Now, move that single paper closer and closer to the back door, until it is actually outside. Leave the paper on the lawn for a few days. After that time you can get rid of the paper all together. To make the process easier you can actually purchase puppy papers, which they have at any pet store. This has a certain scent that makes puppies and dogs want to do their business on it. That way you can skip all that. Leave the puppy paper anywhere you want it that's accessible to your dog, and after a week or so move the paper outside. Your dog will follow it. Then remove the paper all together.

#4: Ringing the Bell

This is a great way to house train your dog and stop the barking or crying they may do when they need to go outside. Get a bell hang it by the door, where your dog can reach it. Now, every time you let your dog out to relieve themselves, ring the bell. Sooner or later your dog is going to fill in the gap and assume that the bell must ring before they can go outside. So your dog will start to ring the bell every time they need to go out and do their business.

#5: Go On Command

The final method is the most tenuous, meaning you won't see instantaneous results no matter how good your dog is at commands due to the biological nature of elimination. This method lets you form another bridge between events. In this instance, when your dog relieves themselves you can use a key phrase that they will associate with elimination, such as 'Go potty!' or 'Go pee!' You can also use a clicker instead of a phrase. As was mentioned, this won't result in instant elimination, but your dog will get the idea as to what they are supposed to do.

Always remember that you as the dog's owner bear the responsibility of raising them right to be the dog you want them to be and that their natural instincts in many cases will conflict with what you find acceptable. Your dog needs you to show them what the rules are in the house.

Misbehaving dog? Need to house train a puppy? Get dog training advice and dog training products at http://www.dogbehaviorexpert.com