Please could you give me as much advice as you can on house training a 8 week old puppy. Does a lead work best? When to put him out? How often? etc etc. I am trying to designate a certain area to keep it away from childrens area, and we have such a large garden finding it would be difficult if he went just anywhere. I would appreciate any advice you have to offer and a big thank you in advance as my computer does not allow cookies so I can not register! Please help me. xxx

Your best bet is to buy a copy of "The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey, which is full of helpful puppy-raising tips. Basically take pup outside as soon as he wakes (whether first thing in the morning or after a nap), after plays, after meals, and every half-hour or so when he's awake. Put him in the place you want him to use, and when he performs (may take a while) give him the 'keyword' you intend to use ("Busy", or "Hurry up" or "Go wee" or whatever). When he's finished give him lots of praise.

A couple of weeks of consistent effort from you should see him well on the way to being clean in the house.
:)

it depends on yourself & time etc,
i will tell you what i do,that gets results QUICK. saying that i dont work for a few weeks when i get a new one!
ok i take the puppy out to the garden every hour slowley building up to two hours. PLUS whenever pup wakes up, eats.plays. we quickly rush out to the garden & i take the puppy to the same place  & say my word "quick-quicks" or "poo-poohs". if the puppy was likely to get distracted i would keep a lead on. when they gone i say "good quick-quicks",let them have a little playtthen its back inside.
i always go out with them when they are starting, & on day two or three mine ask to go out by going to the back door.
they also sleep with me in my room so i can continue this through the night,every few hours. yes im like a zoombie,but its worth it!

You should put the puppy out
: Shortly after each feed
: After playing
: After exercise
: After any excitement (e.g. visitor arriving)
: Immediately upon waking
: First thing in a morning
: Last thing at night
: And at least every hour
If your puppy is circling in the house or sniffing the floor take him outside but do not carry him make him walk. If you catch your puppy going, shout, not loud enough to scare him but just so that you distract him. As soon as he is distracted run away from him to the back door calling his name happily to get him to follow. Always go outside with him and give lots of praise when he goes. Bring him back in and put him in another room if there is any mess to be cleaned up. Use a cleaner that with take away the smell of urine. Never get angry with the puppy if he does wee in the house. Hope this helps.

Sarah xxxx