Housebreaking the puppy mill or pet shop puppy may present quite a challenge. These dogs have learned that it is okay to go against their instinct and soil their crates. This habit is very difficult to train out, which is one of the many reasons you should never buy from a pet shop or puppy mill. But it can be done with patience.

Set a routine and use a clicker (described in Chapter 14) to encourage housebreaking. Whenever you take him outside and he eliminates, click and treat. If he eliminates in the crate, clean it up. If he leaves feces in his crate, move it outside to continue to encourage him to eliminate outside.

With a puppy mill dog, it is very important to keep him in the smallest crate possible (one that he can stand up, turn around, and lie down in), but not to leave him in there for long. Assure him that he's able to relieve himself outside at certain times of the day, and he'll count on you to do this.