Crate Training
You've got a new puppy!
It's an exciting time for both of you. We'd like to take
some of the stress out of training your puppy.
Usually, the first priority is potty training, or "house
breaking" the puppy. Here's an almost foolproof method
that's easier on you and your puppy.
1) Remember, your puppy is a baby. He has just left the
only place he has ever known, with his mother and his
brothers and sisters. Treat him as you would a baby.
2) Don't hit your puppy. (Would you hit a baby?)
3) Don't expect him to know what you're saying. He
doesn't understand many words yet.
4) Be patient. You will have to repeat each lesson
several times.
5) Don't yell. It only scares and confuses him.
6) Don't hit your puppy. (Just a reminder.)
7) When potty training, don't rub his nose in it!
(Again, would you do that to a baby?)
8) Praise him EVERY time he does something right,
9) Don't let anyone else hit your puppy.
Try to avoid the old newspapers-spread-on-the-kitchen- (or
bathroom or laundry room) floor. What that teaches puppy
is that it's okay to go potty on that floor (or on any
newspaper he happens upon). Think about your someday full
grown dog leaving Lake PeePee on you kitchen floor because
you taught him to.
Instead, try this:
BASIC SUPPLIES FOR CRATE TRAINING YOUR DOG;
1) Lots of patience
2) Dog crate
3) Soft toy and chew toy
4) Small cookies
5) Nature's Miracle
6) Old blankets/towels
7) More patience
THE CRATE;
Dogs are den animals. In the wild they seek out caves or
other sheltered lairs. They feel more secure in enclosed areas.
So....
Go to your local pet supply store and purchase a crate,
either plastic or wire. (I prefer wire. You can cover it
when you don't want him to see out, and uncover it so he
can see that you're there.) Get it large enough so that
he will be able to stand up and turn around when he is full grown.
This will be his den.
Fold a blanket or towel in the bottom of the crate for bedding.
Make sure it's washable; there will be accidents. Put a soft
toy and a chew toy in the crate for comfort. If you
choose a wire crate, cover it with a sheet or light
blanket, leaving the door uncovered. It is best to keep
the crate in the same room with you, at least at first, so
Puppy will know you're there. He'll feel more secure and you'll be
able to hear him when he needs to go out.
What makes this method work is that a dog doesn't like to
soil his den. YOU have to help him avoid that.
The way you do that is to take him out potty when he
cries. Remember, an eight week old puppy has a bladder
capacity of about two tablespoons. If you ignore him when
he asks to go out, YOU are creating accidents, and defeating the
purpose of the crate.
INTRODUCING PUPPY TO HIS CRATE
At first Puppy is not going to be very happy about the
crate unless he had one at the breeder's house. A good
way to get him to go into the crate is to toss a cookie or
other treat in, say the one word command (I use "crate")
you're going to use, and hope he goes in. If he doesn't,
GENTLY push him in, close the door, and walk out of the room.
Never yell at Puppy when putting him in his crate. You don't want him
to connect it with unpleasantness. NEVER use the crate for punishment.
If he cries when you leave him (probably), let him cry for a
a few minutes, then stick your head in the room and, in a
stern voice, (no yelling) say "No!" Leave again. Try for
longer and longer intervals, until he gives up.
This is where the patience comes in.
He will sound pitiful. You will feel like a big meany.
Poor Puppy! If he wins this encounter, you will never be
able to convince him that you are in charge. Be firm. He
must be aware that this is not negotiable.
After Puppy has been in the crate for half an hour or so,
unless he's asleep (not likely the first few times) take
him out to the spot you have chosen for his toilet, and
give him the one word command you will use for his
business for the rest of his life. It is wise to use a word that won't
embarass you in public. I use "Potty".
Stay with him until he goes. Give him ten minutes or so if necessary.
After he goes, PRAISE him. (Praise is done in a happy, "up" voice.)
Let him know that he has pleased you. If he doesn't go,
put him back in the crate and start the whole process over.
Eating stimulates Puppy's digestive system. Translated:
When he eats, he's going to poop soon.
After each meal let Puppy socialize for a while. Play
with him (gently), pet him, talk to him. When he starts
sniffing the ground, take him to his toilet. Stay with him until he
goes,then PRAISE him.
NO ONE IS PERFECT
When you see Puppy squat in the house, pick him up
immediately(yes, in mid pee-pee or poop) and, saying "No!"
(Don't yell), run him out to his toilet. After he finishes, PRAISE
him.
For this and other accidents, such as vomiting, Nature's
Miracle removes both stains and odor. DO NOT use ammonia. He'll
return to that spot.
If you come into a room and find a puddle or a pile, clean
it up quietly. There is no point in showing it to Puppy
and chastizing him. He will have no idea why you're mad,
and it only confuses him.
When you're not socializing or playing with Puppy, or
feeding him, put him in the crate with a toy. Would you
leave a baby loose on the floor?
He will have accidents. Just clean them up and continue
with the training regimen. After a few days, depending on
the puppy, he will cry when he needs to go out. Move
fast! He doesn't have much time, and at this point, accidents are your
fault.
For the first few weeks Puppy will need to go out one or
two times during the night. You'll lose a little sleep,
but it's worth it. A good idea is to withhold food and
water for a couple hours before bedtime. If you have to
leave him for a few hours, take him potty just before you
leave, and don't feed him just before you leave.
This method is almost foolproof if you follow it faithfully.
Be patient, be kind, be consistent. It pays off in love.
You've got a new puppy!
It's an exciting time for both of you. We'd like to take
some of the stress out of training your puppy.
Usually, the first priority is potty training, or "house
breaking" the puppy. Here's an almost foolproof method
that's easier on you and your puppy.
1) Remember, your puppy is a baby. He has just left the
only place he has ever known, with his mother and his
brothers and sisters. Treat him as you would a baby.
2) Don't hit your puppy. (Would you hit a baby?)
3) Don't expect him to know what you're saying. He
doesn't understand many words yet.
4) Be patient. You will have to repeat each lesson
several times.
5) Don't yell. It only scares and confuses him.
6) Don't hit your puppy. (Just a reminder.)
7) When potty training, don't rub his nose in it!
(Again, would you do that to a baby?)
8) Praise him EVERY time he does something right,
9) Don't let anyone else hit your puppy.
Try to avoid the old newspapers-spread-on-the-kitchen- (or
bathroom or laundry room) floor. What that teaches puppy
is that it's okay to go potty on that floor (or on any
newspaper he happens upon). Think about your someday full
grown dog leaving Lake PeePee on you kitchen floor because
you taught him to.
Instead, try this:
BASIC SUPPLIES FOR CRATE TRAINING YOUR DOG;
1) Lots of patience
2) Dog crate
3) Soft toy and chew toy
4) Small cookies
5) Nature's Miracle
6) Old blankets/towels
7) More patience
THE CRATE;
Dogs are den animals. In the wild they seek out caves or
other sheltered lairs. They feel more secure in enclosed areas.
So....
Go to your local pet supply store and purchase a crate,
either plastic or wire. (I prefer wire. You can cover it
when you don't want him to see out, and uncover it so he
can see that you're there.) Get it large enough so that
he will be able to stand up and turn around when he is full grown.
This will be his den.
Fold a blanket or towel in the bottom of the crate for bedding.
Make sure it's washable; there will be accidents. Put a soft
toy and a chew toy in the crate for comfort. If you
choose a wire crate, cover it with a sheet or light
blanket, leaving the door uncovered. It is best to keep
the crate in the same room with you, at least at first, so
Puppy will know you're there. He'll feel more secure and you'll be
able to hear him when he needs to go out.
What makes this method work is that a dog doesn't like to
soil his den. YOU have to help him avoid that.
The way you do that is to take him out potty when he
cries. Remember, an eight week old puppy has a bladder
capacity of about two tablespoons. If you ignore him when
he asks to go out, YOU are creating accidents, and defeating the
purpose of the crate.
INTRODUCING PUPPY TO HIS CRATE
At first Puppy is not going to be very happy about the
crate unless he had one at the breeder's house. A good
way to get him to go into the crate is to toss a cookie or
other treat in, say the one word command (I use "crate")
you're going to use, and hope he goes in. If he doesn't,
GENTLY push him in, close the door, and walk out of the room.
Never yell at Puppy when putting him in his crate. You don't want him
to connect it with unpleasantness. NEVER use the crate for punishment.
If he cries when you leave him (probably), let him cry for a
a few minutes, then stick your head in the room and, in a
stern voice, (no yelling) say "No!" Leave again. Try for
longer and longer intervals, until he gives up.
This is where the patience comes in.
He will sound pitiful. You will feel like a big meany.
Poor Puppy! If he wins this encounter, you will never be
able to convince him that you are in charge. Be firm. He
must be aware that this is not negotiable.
After Puppy has been in the crate for half an hour or so,
unless he's asleep (not likely the first few times) take
him out to the spot you have chosen for his toilet, and
give him the one word command you will use for his
business for the rest of his life. It is wise to use a word that won't
embarass you in public. I use "Potty".
Stay with him until he goes. Give him ten minutes or so if necessary.
After he goes, PRAISE him. (Praise is done in a happy, "up" voice.)
Let him know that he has pleased you. If he doesn't go,
put him back in the crate and start the whole process over.
Eating stimulates Puppy's digestive system. Translated:
When he eats, he's going to poop soon.
After each meal let Puppy socialize for a while. Play
with him (gently), pet him, talk to him. When he starts
sniffing the ground, take him to his toilet. Stay with him until he
goes,then PRAISE him.
NO ONE IS PERFECT
When you see Puppy squat in the house, pick him up
immediately(yes, in mid pee-pee or poop) and, saying "No!"
(Don't yell), run him out to his toilet. After he finishes, PRAISE
him.
For this and other accidents, such as vomiting, Nature's
Miracle removes both stains and odor. DO NOT use ammonia. He'll
return to that spot.
If you come into a room and find a puddle or a pile, clean
it up quietly. There is no point in showing it to Puppy
and chastizing him. He will have no idea why you're mad,
and it only confuses him.
When you're not socializing or playing with Puppy, or
feeding him, put him in the crate with a toy. Would you
leave a baby loose on the floor?
He will have accidents. Just clean them up and continue
with the training regimen. After a few days, depending on
the puppy, he will cry when he needs to go out. Move
fast! He doesn't have much time, and at this point, accidents are your
fault.
For the first few weeks Puppy will need to go out one or
two times during the night. You'll lose a little sleep,
but it's worth it. A good idea is to withhold food and
water for a couple hours before bedtime. If you have to
leave him for a few hours, take him potty just before you
leave, and don't feed him just before you leave.
This method is almost foolproof if you follow it faithfully.
Be patient, be kind, be consistent. It pays off in love.
