Puppy Crate Training

O

overworked&underpaid

Active Member
Joined
4 October 2010
Messages
33
Location
In the Countryside
Visit site
I will TRY and keep this as brief as possible as I tend to go off on a tangent when typing! LOL!
I recently posted on here as I had a problem with my nearly one year old who had started weeing and pooing overnight. After many suggestions from you all I decided to go down the crate option, which I have to say just over a week in is working like a treat and my little lady really likes it in there, to the point where I have to kick her out LOL!
I have never been a big fan of crates but have to say that I am now converted and thanks for all of those who reassured me it was the right thing to do...
Anyway, here is my new dilema......
In two weeks time, I have an 8 week old Cocker arriving .... cant wait....
So I am planning on going down the crate route with her as well but I do not have a clue where to start with a new puppy. It has been easier with my other dog as apart from overnight, she is already house trained.
Shall I leave it until she is a little older??
With my other pup when I was in the house, I let her out every half an hour but when I was out at work or overnight, I left newspaper down for her to do her business on. This was left near the back door. I have to say that this did work and she was clean at night, this only stopped when she had a two night stay at the vets, since then she became unclean, which as I mentioned above is now under control with the use of the crate.
My question really is what do I do with the new little girl. They will not locked in the crate when I am at work only overnight. I am assuming that it would be a good idea to start her in the crate from day one, especially as the other one will be in hers (overnight).
What I am unsure of is how do I deal with new pup doing her business in the crate which I assume is what will happen as she has no control at that age but then how do I get her out of the habbit of doing that and realising that this is a place to rest and not do her business.
I am REALLY sorry for this long post but as I mentioned I am now a convert to crates but having no previous experience just really do not know what to do with the new puppy!!
HELP PLEASE. BIG THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE
 
Right Im literall flying out the door, PM me your e mail addy, I will send u a puppy guide and read the post when I get back from muddy dog walk.

Im a youngster though...be warned;):D
 
overworked&underpaid said:
My question really is what do I do with the new little girl. They will not locked in the crate when I am at work only overnight. I am assuming that it would be a good idea to start her in the crate from day one, especially as the other one will be in hers (overnight).
What I am unsure of is how do I deal with new pup doing her business in the crate which I assume is what will happen as she has no control at that age but then how do I get her out of the habbit of doing that and realising that this is a place to rest and not do her business.
I am REALLY sorry for this long post but as I mentioned I am now a convert to crates but having no previous experience just really do not know what to do with the new puppy!!
HELP PLEASE. BIG THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE
Click to expand...

Crates are, IMO, an aid to toilet training - not a replacement for it! They are also useful to keep the wee ones safe when you can't give them your full attention.

Sooo..........as per your first dog, take the pup out as you say about every 30 mins - when she wakes up, when she's had dinner, when she's had a play etc etc.

Make the crate into a den for her.....cover it up or pad it from the inside so that it is dark and makes her feel safe and secure. Make it a nice place for her to be - put treats in it, toys etc etc. You may even feed her in it initially so that she associates it with positive experiences. The idea of using a crate to aid toilet training is that (through choice) a dog will NOT soil its bed. Therefore at night you should be prepared to hear her crying to want to be let out. You will have to get up probably a couple of times....take her outside, don't play with her, just be very matter of fact and if she performs then praise her and put her back to bed. She will only soil her bed if either the crate is too big or if she is left for way too long for a wee pup.
 
Sorr for taking so long, I have emailed ya.

I would indeed go ahead with the crate and prevent the lapse ou had with our other girl, there are a multi purpose tool for toilet training, preventing destruction, safety if you had another dog, travelling e,t,c.
She will def need to spend time in the crate when ou are home, so def dont getinto the mind set of allowing hr out all the time our are there, otherwise she will associate you leaving with her going in the crate (you dont want that)
She will learn to hold in the crate and you will let her out frequently randomly and keep her with you to watch for signs of her needing the toilet and guide her out. (don't get a huge over sized crate)
All will become clear in the guide
Good luck and pictures:)
 
CAYLA
Thanks very much for the guide, I am just printing it off now, its much appreciated.
Just from reading your posting on here I havent even thought about oversizing the crate!
I had been looking for a small but maybe I should look for an extra small, I shall spend some time this morning looking at measurements!
Thanks again and I shall post some piccies when she arrives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top