Yet more training crate questions

[gritsar]

The training crate method of housebreaking our GSP Jax is going extremely well.
He's had zero accidents in the house. He goes pee on command when we take him out. He still needs some encouragement and walking around before he poos.
We are taking him outside maybe 8 to 10 times a day; before we put him in the crate, as soon as we take him out of the crate and after each meal. He spends his nights in the crate and wakes me up about 7 AM to go out.
My question is how will we know when we no longer need to use the crate for housebreaking purposes and can leave it open for him to go in and out during the day?
Right now I only have to put him in the crate when I can't be right near him and at our mealtimes and at bedtime. He goes in the crate on his own when we tell him to go to "bed".
Also, our last trip outside with him is around 1:30 AM, right before we go to bed. When he starts whining at 7 AM I take him out. Should I make him wait till a little later than that? At 14 weeks old, can he hold it longer?
TIA

 

[greyhorsewoman]

At 14 weeks he is just getting better bladder control, but could still have an accident. You have set a good routine, and gradually able to give him some more freedom, but I wouldn't leave him to roam without supervision for awhile yet.

Don't expect to get through this without an accident or two. Let him know you are displeased, but don't overdo. It's obvious he is trying. As to the whole night thing, I'd keep that up. It's good he is 'speaking' to you and will some time yet.

 

[ranchhand]

I am a HUGE fan of crate training! Good on you for doing it!

"My question is how will we know when we no longer need to use the crate for housebreaking purposes and can leave it open for him to go in and out during the day?"

I'd guess 8-10 months. Some will be housebroken earlier or later. I usually watch for a pup to start going to the door and scratching to go out. That's a good indicator that they get the idea.

which is why all my door trim is scarred.....

 

[Bluemoon420]

All of our dogs still use their crates. They view as their own personal space. They go in their on their own when they want quiet time, to take a nap, and whenever the mood strikes them. If I say "kennel up" they kennel up. I don't always shut the door. The door gets shut when I leave the house for whatever reason.

Basically, you want Jax to think of it as his home in the home. It's his personal space. Like a den.

Hope that helps

You can make covers for them too. One of my wire ones has a pretty sewn cover from an old sheet that matches the room it's in. That way it doesn't look so out of place.

Bluemoon

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yes, Jax sometimes goes in it during the day on his own. When he's not in the crate he's at my feet always. He never wanders off thru the house by himself. He's right now asleep under my desk. I just wanted to know when I don't need to close the door anymore. I'm starting to recognize his signs that he needs to go out.
Also, would you believe he ignores the word "no", but reacts immediately to the word "nein" (german for no)? My DH insisted on using basic commands in german. Don't ask me why. I guess it's a man thang.

I think Jax responds to nein better cuz it's a sharper sound?

 

[Bluemoon420]

Quote:
Yes, Jax sometimes goes in it during the day on his own. When he's not in the crate he's at my feet always. He never wanders off thru the house by himself. He's right now asleep under my desk. I just wanted to know when I don't need to close the door anymore. I'm starting to recognize his signs that he needs to go out.
Also, would you believe he ignores the word "no", but reacts immediately to the word "nein" (german for no)? My DH insisted on using basic commands in german. Don't ask me why. I guess it's a man thang.

I think Jax responds to nein better cuz it's a sharper sound?

That's exactly what you want him to do. You don't always have to shut the door, so it sounds like all is good.

My husband is German, and lived in Germany when he was little. He uses german commands, and I use english. I guess our dogs are bilingual.

You can teach Jax both by teaching him in one language first with hand signals. Once he has those down pat, use the hand signals, and other language. He'll get the idea.
My DH's mom spoke to Sampson in German. He would tilt his head listening intently. I swear after awhile he understood what she was saying. We would say Oma is coming, and he would wait by the door until she showed up. She would talk to him for hours in German, it was funny to watch.

Bluemoon

 

[AngieChick]

It sounds like you are doing a fantastic job. I am a major fan of crate training. I actually still lock mine up at night to keep them off of the couches. They love their crate and spend much of their time in there, voluntarily.

When you can't supervise your puppy, you will still want to lock him up for quite a while yet. It's for his safety. When left unsupervised they tend to get bored and start to chew on things, like power cords.

Your pup sounds very clever and eager to please. It's a perfect combination to create a life long companion.

 

[EweSheep]

I often wonder if they learned German from their parents? Do the dog's parents communicate in German???

Its pretty cool to speak in German but you would need to use English if you do happen to get in a situation in an emergency that you could not think of the German word for STOP, right then and there. That would be a problem. So teach him both languages, he's smarter than you think he is!