When housetraining your dog, it doesn't matter whether you are starting the process with a puppy or an adult dog, your aim is to teach him that it is not acceptable to go to the toilet in the house. Any new dog requires some training, but as we all know, rescue dogs are special, they can also present more of a challenge, as less is known of their history and they may have unknown triggers which cause them to mess at home.

Four easy steps to stress-free housetraining

• Learn to predict when your dog will need to go to the toilet. This is usually after he has eaten, woken up, after a play session or after any exciting event. Most dogs will do a number of things before they actually leave a puddle (or something worse) on the carpet in front of you. They may sniff around on the floor, begin to circle or squat, and appear to be distracted. When you suspect that your dog needs to go to the toilet, encourage him to go into the garden.
• Show him to the same place each time and give a simple command, such as "Be quick!". Wait with him, and if he goes to the toilet, praise him gently while he is doing it, then praise him enthusiastically afterwards, and give him a tasty food treat or initiate a game If your dog is showing no signs of relieving himself after a few minutes, take him back indoors. At this stage you know he is very likely to go in the near future so supervise him constantly. If he begins to sniff around or circle, clap your hands or call out to interrupt the behaviour, then lead him back to the garden.
• At times when you are unable to supervise your dog, it is important to confine him somewhere where you won't mind if he makes a mess.
• NEVER punish him for messing in the house, train him out of it instead. If you punish him it may make him more fearful and prone to go to the toilet even more. He may try to hide his mess from you, either by going in concealed areas, such as behind the sofa, or by eating the evidence. It may also encourage him never to go to the toilet in front of you, making housetraining practically impossible.

Housetraining Advice for Rescue Dogs

During the early days with your dog, try to stick to a schedule for feeding, walking and sleeping. This will help him adjust more quickly to your routines and away from those he was used to in a kennel environment. Until he has had time to adjust, leave newspaper on the floor by the back door whenever you leave him so that he can go to the toilet on this if necessary. Place polythene underneath the newspaper to prevent any leakage onto the floor. This is important as your dog's strong sense of smell will invariably attract him back to go to the toilet in the same place.

Most adult dogs will have been house-trained, but some may have been in kennels for a long time and may need reminding. Take your dog outside to the garden on numerous occasions and build up the routine of regular walks during the first few days to remind him of the right place to go. When taking him to the garden, make sure you stay with him for reassurance, and praise him when he goes to the toilet. Older dogs normally prefer a secluded area in the garden to relieve themselves, and may be unwilling to go to the toilet while on a lead.

Your dog is likely to be both excited and slightly anxious during the first few days of his new life. He may develop loose bowels, which may in turn cause him to have house-training accidents. If this occurs, try not to be upset or react adversely towards him. Clean the soiled area with biological washing powder solution or special products available from your veterinary practice. Many other household cleaning products will not remove the smell entirely, and your dog may be attracted back to the area.