Owning a dog definitely means that you'll find yourself cleaning up accidents and messes every once in a while. The best way to handle these little accidents along the path to housebreaking your pup is to be patient and realize that your dog is young and doesn't always have full bladder control, especially if she is left alone for longer periods of time.

Be prepared to clean up messes by keeping an odor neutralizer around the house. It will also help to keep a stain remover that doesn't contain ammonia around. These products may be found in pet supply and other grocery or convenience stores.

As soon as you spot a mess, use a dry cloth to soak up any excess mess. Then liberally apply the stain remover and treat according to the package directions. Then, use the odor neutralizer as a final treatment. It's important to get rid of any odors, as dogs will return to the same spot for a repeat performance if they catch the scent!

Odor neutralizers are also sold by bulk through online pet supply carriers. One popular brand that I use often (well, luckily not that often), is Nature's Miracle.