A dog crate (optional)

A leash

A flexible schedule for several weeks (so you can accommodate the dog's biological clock). Organized dog lovers work out the timing with their employers even before picking up the puppy.

Plastic bags for disposing of your dog's mess. Not only is it the law in most municipalities, "doggy-bagging" is the civil thing to do (if only as a courtesy to your garbage collectors)

At least three hours a day for a period of up to three weeks (yes, that's what you're in for)

2torial #0827: Learn2 Housebreak a Puppy Are your carpets dog-tired? What's the first trick every dog needs to learn? Not Roll Over or Fetch the Slippers, but the much more practical skill of Don't Go Inside the House. Fortunately, dogs are naturally amenable to, shall we say, bodily-need modification--but it still takes time, effort and patience to teach them the difference between shag carpeting and a patch of weeds. Housebreaking a dog requires more than simply laying down newspaper on the kitchen floor. The trick is to understand the way the canine brain works, and harness your dog's doggy nature to work for you. This 2torial shows you a time-tested way to do just that. Although a multitude of housebreaking methods abound, this approach is one that's easy to learn (for you and your dog) and easy to stick to. Accidents will happen, but after three weeks of consistent effort, you should be well on your way to having a well-trained pooch. Before you bring your puppy home in his swaddling clothes, make sure you know what's in store. Consider this list of minimum requirements for dog ownership: 1. Commitment: Dogs are demanding--not as much as babies, but definitely more than cats. For the first three weeks you have a puppy, plan to be home as much as possible. If you can't be there, make sure you have someone reliable who will. If neither of these is possible, consider tropical fish instead. 2. Consistency: Dogs are creatures of habit, and house-breaking is a process of creating good habits. As a result, you must be willing to stick to a strict schedule, at least for the first month or so, with regularly scheduled times for meals, walks, play and sleep. That means Saturday and Sunday morning, too--no sleeping in! 3. Patience: Your new puppy won't always hold back until he gets outside. Mistakes are inevitable, and they're going to tick you off. Slapping and shouting may temporarily relieve your frustration, but they contribute nothing to the process of housebreaking your dog. In fact, no form of reprimand is effective unless you catch the dog in the act, and anything more than a strong no and a firm shake is excessive. Step 1