Housebreaking issues are one of the reasons Italian Greyhounds are turned into Rescue. When I got my first Italian Greyhound almost a decade ago, she was so good that I had no idea other Iggy parents were tearing their hair out with accidents in the house. However, when I became involved with IG Rescue, and adopted a male Iggy, I experienced the frustration so many other Italian Greyhound owners face.

Over the years I have found information to help house break Italian Greyhounds and wanted to share it with other Iggy parents.

For example, think about how long it takes to potty train a human child - several years. A toy dog will develop slower than a larger dog like a Great Dane and we need to be patient. Puppies really DO need to go potty every two-four hours for up to six-nine months. If you are not available 24/7 for your dog, then you'll need to find a dog sitter to come in and walk your Iggy while you are at work. An alternative would be a good Doggie Daycare that has separate areas for large and small dogs.

Many people preach that using a crate is the end all and be all of house training because dogs "won't soil in the same area they sleep or eat in." This, however is not really true because if a dog must go, he/she will have no other choice than to soil the crate. This is not the dogs' fault. Mother Nature dictates when your pups' body matures. Also, as the pet parent it is our responsibility to provide opportunities for our puppies to go potty when they need to pee or poop!

An alternative to just a crate is to provide a an Exercise Pen (X-Pen) with a potty box, papers or potty pads around the crate. Watch your pup and take them outside after meals or confine them to the X-pen. Your hound will soon begin to understand what are appropriate potty areas. Do not scold or hit your sensitive Iggy during house training because it will only make matters worse.

I have found that it is better to not give your dog full access to your home until you know he or she understands what is appropriate and will go on papers or outside. Let's face it - Italian Greyhounds do NOT like bad weather and I know that during inclement weather my IGs may have an indoor accident. It is easier to keep your house clean if your dog is also box trained.

If there are accidents, remember that your Italian Greyhound is not bad or untrained. We don't want to go out in really cold weather or get rained on either. You CAN house break your Italian Greyhound with patience and love. I've done it and so have many other Italian Greyhound owners.