It’s no easy task toilet traing your puppy as they have to relieve themselves a lot - sometimes every hour and like babies, always after eating, sleeping and playtime.

An untrained puppy must be with you all the time so that you can learn what the signs are for “I need the toilet’. The most obvious sign to look out for is the sniffing for a good location.

If you see your puppy sniff a spot on the carpet or floor, take him into the back garden to a spot you have designated for him and let him relieve himself. Always take your puppy to the same spot each time you want him to pee or poo as this will quicken the training process. This is because when a puppy goes to the loo he releases something called pheromones and when he smells the pheromones again a couple of hours later, it will automatically trigger his natural instinct to pee or poo in the same spot again.

While your puppy is doing his business, in the right place, quietly praise him but don’t be too noise or enthusiastic and this will distract him from the job in hand. Once he has finished, give him lots of praise to let him know he did exactly what you wanted him to do.

If you take him outside and nothing happens, bring him back inside and either keep him next to you so that you can watch him, or purchase one of the many dog cages on the market to put him in for 5 - 15 minutes before trying again.

Continue in this way until your puppy goes to the toilet and always be consistent and committed in your approach so that you can both get through this stage in relatively good time.

If you are unable to keep an eye on your puppy then put him in his dog cage as this will help to potty train him but also help keep your house in one piece.

Please do not keep your puppy in his dog cage all day if you go out to work. Your puppy will still need to go to the loo every few hours and also have his lunch. If you can’t come home at lunch time, ask a friend or neighbour to help or hire someone to take your puppy out and feed him.

Remember that correcting your puppy does not mean punishing him. Never rub his nose in his deposit if he has an accident. A puppy will not understand that when you put his nose in his pile of poo or puddle of wee that you are telling him that he is a ‘bad dog’. Some dogs may even like the poo smell.

Correcting means picking up your puppy and taking him to the designated spot outside, quietly praising him while he goes to the loo, and then giving him lots of praise when he has finished.

ideas-4-pets have a new toilet training product on their site called the Ugodog and this excellent, innovative product can make toilet training easier for both you and your puppy.