Crate Training A Puppy...

[redhen]

Quote:
Good idea! We actually JUST broke up soft dog treats into tiny pieces and put them in a tupperware container by the door...
Told hubby to grab one of them on the way outside every time we bring the pup out to potty...
Maybe that will help him catch on quicker..

 

[ScissorChick]

I probably shouldn't be posting, as I'm having

troubles with my dog pottying in the house.

BUT, My advice to you would be to make sure the crate is the right size.

The pup should NOT be ables to get up and walk around in it.

He/she should be able to stand up, turn around, and lay down in it.

THAT'S ALL. Also when he whimpers you should not pay him any mind.

I know, hes a puppy, hes gotta 'go' more than big dogs. But, when you

take him out of the crate whenever he cries, he'll learn that crying gets him

out of the crate, and he'll start crying just whenever he wants out. Wait untill

he stops crying, and about 5 seconds after he stops, take him out. Dogs have a natural

'cleanliness'. They don't like to go potty where they sleep, so if the crate is as small as

I described above, you should have no problem. However, if it's to big, he'll go to the far side, away from

where he's sleeping, and do his business there.

Good luck!

Rebecca

 

[RiverOtter]

Quote:
I feed in the crate and toys get tossed in the crate and treats get put in there so the pup goes in and out of it all day and is used to going in the crate being pleasant.
If you have a play pen, I would put the crate in the playpen and put newspapers all over the play pen, then leave the door off of the crate. Not forever, just until he starts learning that there are always nice things in the crate and it is a good place to sleep. Then when he is pottying on the papers and sleeping in the crate put the door back on and shut it.
Not all night at first. But if for instance the puppy goes to "bed" at 9, shut the crate, take him out to go potty at 11, and leave it open. If he wakes you rustling the newspapers at 5am, take him outside, then shut the door of the crate till 7.
Soon he'll learn to hold it all night. He's still a little young to even have the ability to hold it all night (I'm assuming this is the pup you posted pictures of)

 

[kla37]

Good luck with the training! We used a small crate to train our dog. When she got bigger, we got her a bigger crate, but she didn't want it. At 10 yrs old she still naps and sleeps in her little crate! We took the door off of it years ago, it just sits open under my desk for her. It's like her little "den" and we used it to train the kids when they were young. When the dog is in her crate it means she's had enough of you and leave her alone! Works great.

 

[Hound]

Quote:
I thought you meant to potty train the kids for a minute

 

[redhen]

Thanks for the advice everyone...
We'll keep working on it! Hes still very young yet..so...it may take him a little bit to get it.
I'm going to try the crate in his play pen idea... i bet that will help him be more comfortable in it. Thanks!

 

[secuono]

I'ma chime in. If you can, make a false wall at the back to make it smaller, but able to expand when the dog gets bigger.
Also, DO NOT feed at night or before bed. Try feeding in the morning only. What time in the AM & PM do you take the pup out?
My little dog sounds the alarm around 6am every day that she needs out. I feed her at night, but the crate is a perfect size for her. She goes out at 8pm.

 

[equine623]

Quote:
It isn't a wise idea to only feed a pup once in the morning. Puppies need 3 -4 feedings a day when they are very young, then can slowly be weaned down to less feedings but to only feed once is asking for disaster.

I'm with some of the other solutions. Use a cue word (go pee, go poop, hurry up, whatever you like) when he is outside actually performing the act. Food rewards are your friend

Try making the crate smaller, but if you end up with a finger painting puppy then just give him paper and the room if he stays clean that way. IF he is a problem when he's older and you know he is capable of holding it but just won't - then you clean the crate thoroughly and put his food and water bowls in the area he likes to go in. Usually that is enough to turn them off the whole going in the house idea.

Puppies do best with a schedule, so he can get used to eating and eliminating at the same time, roughly, every day. Also free choice water may not be the best idea, sometimes I cut off water at a certain time in the evening to help them go a little longer at night. Obviously if it is hot, or he's been running around, he needs a drink. But I don't always just leave a full bowl down to be slurped up just for fun.

Also using a enzymatic cleaner to be sure all traces of odor are gone may help when he's older and its more of an issue of oh well, this is my potty spot versus help I can't hold it.

When all else fails bring him in bed with you that's the only way my puppy mill reject rescue got housebroken. Crates of any kind made him panic, literally he tore teeth out of his head and broke nails trying to get out. I've had the gamut of dogs as far as backgrounds and intelligence and abilities go

 

[purr]

Quote:
I do this at first and say good girl!, you want a piece of cheese? I don't always use cheese but this is invaluable to associate these words and tone with a reward. the other day she snuck out under my feet right out the door.Nearly gave me a heart attack. But as she was running toward the road I said in my excited good girl voice,You want a piece of cheese? and stopped dead in her tracks and turned around and came in the housel.
So it works for doing potty and coming back to mama!

 

[terrilhb]

I agree with Hound. If the crate is to big they have room to go on one side and sleep on the other. Keep up the good work. You can do it