The problem is as old as when we first domesticated dogs about 15,000 years ago - how do you housetrain a dog? And, nowadays, with our lack of time and energy, we wonder how quickly it can be done. Can it be done in a month? A few weeks? A week? Yes! It can be done in approximately a week and, though you may have accidents down the line at different stages of your puppy's life, it is a fix that will stay and can be re-learned quickly.

Very few puppies will be housetrained when you get them. If they're slightly older, such as 16 weeks, your pup may be well on his way (pups under ten weeks cannot control their urination more than a few hours). But, at this age, you're bound to come across little puppy piddles and poopie buried under the rug. The keys to training your pup quickly are: time, tenacity, patience and consistency. So, you may have to take a little time off work up front but it will pay off later.

1. Use the Crate! Once your pup is comfortable in his crate, use it to help with housetraining. Your puppy is unlikely to soil his area so the longer you can train him to be in the crate, the less likely he is to have accidents.

2. Watch That Dog! Keep on eye on your puppy as much as possible. The more times you can catch him just as he's about to go to the bathroom, the quicker he'll learn. Watch for the signs, and immediately grab him and place him outside (even if he's started peeing). The signs of an imminent bowel movement are: squatting, sniffing in out-of-the-way places, and turning circles. You've got to be quick because a puppy can find a spot and urinate in five seconds.

3. Praise, Praise, Praise! When you get your pup outside, praise him even if he managed to finish his business on your new sweater. Never admonish your puppy for accidents.

4. Enlist the Help of Others! The whole process will be easier and more effective if family members or friends can help.

5. Banish That Smell! When there are accidents, immediately clean ...

Your furry bundle of joy is now leaving not-so-joyous bundles and puddles throughout your house. What steps should you take to ensure puppy house training success for your favorite canine?

Both with puppies and dogs with established potty problems, a combination of management, training, and appropriate sanitization is recommended. For adult dogs that have had reliable potty behaviors and suddenly begin having accidents inside, a veterinary visit including urine and/or fecal samples is advised. Instead of thinking of "how to housebreak a puppy" think about how to housetrain a puppy! It is the training, not the puppy that is broken.

Assuming a healthy dog, you're ready to start training! First, you'll need some supplies:

• Crate/Ex-Pen
• Tether (a six foot leash is fine)
• Nature's Miracle enzymatic cleaner
• Treats, toys
• Notebook/record keeping forms
• Patience

Now you're stocked, and can start training appropriate elimination behaviors.

Step one: Feed on a schedule. Dogs that eat on a schedule eliminate on a schedule.

Step two: Use a notebook or chart to keep track of when your dog eats, drinks, and eliminates. Also note what the dog was doing before the elimination - dogs frequently must "go potty" after: meals, naps, and playtime. Look for "pre-elimination" behaviors and note these - many dogs will sniff around, paw at the ground, or offer other indicator behaviors pre-elimination. These behaviors should become a cue to you to take your dog out for a potty break. Look for patterns; find your dog's elimination schedule by reviewing your notes after a week or two.

Step three: Management. Use a crate if you are unable to supervise your dog. Purchase a crate that is just large enough for the dog to enter, turn around in, and lie down. Too large crates give dogs enough room to eliminate on one side and relax comfortably out of the mess on the other side. Crating takes advantage of a dog's natural desire to live in a clean environment.

While crates are great housetraining aids, avoid crating your dog for longer than he can reasonably be expected to hold bladder/bowel movements. Generally, puppies can last one hour more than they are months old up until the age of 6 months, but this will vary for each individual (toy breeds especially may have difficulty "holding it" this long).

If you are gone all day at work and your dog cannot hold it that long, you must either arrange for someone to take the puppy out mid-day or provide a "safe spot" (many people use "potty pads") until he is mature enough to control his elimination behaviors for the duration of your workday.

Use tethers for management when you are home. Freedom in the home is a privilege that should be earned after potty reliability is established. Tethering the dog to you allows you to recognize pre-elimination behaviors and thus, provide well-timed potty breaks.

Step four: Reinforce all correct responses. Every time your dog eliminates outsid...