advice for crate training a puppy?

we got a new addition to our family tonight (i'll post pictures tomorrow, i promise!)... but for now, can anyone offer some tips, advice, any and everything on crate training? we didn't do it with quinn, we just trained him to go on a weewee pad, but even that - i feel like we've forgotten everything with puppy training. help!! thanks!!

Re: advice for crate training a puppy?

our vet didn't recommend the wee-wee pad so we did the traditional route - outside. they have a desire to go outside on instinct so that is good - get a crate and keep the puppy in the crate at night while you guys are asleep at ALL times. the pup may cry a lot but do NOT give in - it helps if you put the pup (while in the crate) in another room where it is quiet and away from you.

also, when you set up the crate make sure that the pup doesn't have a lot of room in there - or else it may pee/poop on one side and sit on another - the reason they don't usually is b/c they don't like to go where they sleep - but if they have enough room to then they won't hold it - so, just make sure they can turn around and sit but not much more room than that. i know it won't look like they have enough room but they do - it's ok.

then, before you go to bed and put the pup in for the night take it out to the SAME spot in the yard each time. also, it helps to use a code word - or an "association" word like "piddle" or "wee wee" or "tinkle" so, everytime you take the pup out say the same word and then, when he goes, PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE, some people give treats but then that teaches them to expect a treat each time - we gave praise from day one and she was always very happy with that.

you need to do the same routine, over and over and over again each day and keep it very similar so that the dog gets it. so, right before the pup goes in the crate for the night and then the SECOND you get up in the morning (and sometimes, in the beginning, you need to get up a lil early b/c it is hard for them when they are so small to hold it for long periods of time) - but that gets better and they learn to hold it longer as they get older.

then, while you are around the house and someone is home you need to keep the pup within close distance to you - so, if you are watching TV keep him within like a five foot radius... if you notice (you really have to pay attention) that he starts to go off into a corner, starts to sniff, scratch, ANYTHING like that - that sort of behavior - GRAB him, SCOOP him up like a football and RUN him to the spot in the yard... remember the code word. i found it easiest to keep the pup, when we were together and she was out of the crate not only near me but near the door to go outside lol so it was easier to run out when she needed to go... but, you shouldn't find that happening too often if you just take the pup out routinely every 30 minutes - i know it seems like a lot but when they are that little, until they establish a system/routine - they can tend to go that much. but it only lasts like a week or two so hang in there.

after that - you will have a well trained dog. you could even get a bell and ring a bell each time you take the pup out - then, after a while, they will ring the bell to let you know they have to go! we didn't do that but our dog just scratches our leg - she started doing that after a while - picked it up on her own.

what kind of dog??

good luck!!!! congrats!!!!

just hang in there - it'll be OK.

OOH! if the pup starts to REALLY whimper in the crate at night and won't stop - get a coffee can and fill it with coins - then, shake the can at the pup loudly - they will stop! but try first to ignore.

hope that helps! fm if you need anything else or you have ?s!

Re: advice for crate training a puppy?

Congrats Krista on the new dog!!!

We got Daisy when she was 7 weeks old and crate trained her right away.

Our vet said no outside until rabies vaccination, but he said it was fine for the 5-10 min it takes for her to do their business as long as it's the same area all the time.

So, when we wake up in the morning, we take her out right away. She does both numbers, and we bring her in to feed her breakfast. If she doesn't touch it in 20 min, it gets taken away for 10 min. We put it back down and try to get her to eat and she's learned now to eat her bowl of food the first time around.

About 20-30 min after the dog finishes eating, we take them back out to do both their businesses. Usually before we take her out, we play fetch with her in the kitchen and get her active cause this seems to help her go right away outside when we take her.

Shortly, thereafter, we place her in her crate with 3 toys (1 nylabone, 1 sling shot nylabone and her kong with a treat) when we leave for work. We come home at lunch to feed her and let her out to run around.

When Daisy has accidents in the house - we take her outside right away, to show her where she's supposed to do her business. If we're unable to do that for some reason, we put her face towards the accident and say "NO!" about 2-3 times and then place the leash on her to kepe her away from the spot while the Nature's Miracle goes to action on the spot to eliminate the odor, etc.

I wouldn't leave any food/water in the crate while your out - this will hinder them from having accidents while you're out.

Dogs like schedules and it helps them get everything straight and into a routine since they're in a new environment.

Re: advice for crate training a puppy?

The two OP said everything I would have as well.
I wouldn't use the wee wee pads either ( i feel they teach the dogs that its alright to potty in the house)...Its best just to train them to go outside right away.
We got Riley at 6 weeks old and from day one she went outside.
If at any moment you see your pup sniffing a lot, bring them out.
When they do go outside, give them lots of praise and you can give them a small puppy milkbone; we did this when Riley did #2 outside.

For us crating Riley at night was the worst...for the first two weeks, she stayed in best with us (bad i know) but she whined and whined and I'm a lite sleeper, so I did what I had to do to sleep.
Now she sleeps in her crate everynight...We tell her "Riley go in your home" and she goes.
Also its important not to use the crate from punishment. You want your dog to feel safe and secure in there!

umm...can't think of anything else yet.
Just follow thru and be consistant!
Good luck with the new puppy!
Can't wait to see pics

Re: advice for crate training a puppy?

thanks girls... we have to train her with the weewee pad for right now... we don't have a yard to take her in. we still live in a co-op and are only supposed to have one dog so for now, it has to be. when we move, we're going to have to retrain both of our little ones to go outside, though our older guy knows to go when he's outside, and when he has the choice will go out there everytime. we made it through her first night with her in the crate... when i heard her crying, every 2 hours or so - i went in, let her out for a couple of minutes to see if she would pee, and when she didn't, i just put her back in. she ate breakfast this morning, no problemo - and went to the bathroom immediately after, but then went again in her crate! i just want to be a good mommy and teach her well... any other advice is appreciated and thank you for taking the time to give me all of those tips. i will be posting pics in a few...

Re: advice for crate training a puppy?

sorry, my camera hasn't been letting me download my photos onto the computer - i hope i don't lose what i've taken i'll post as soon as i can...

Re: advice for crate training a puppy?

Good advice from the OP's that is what we do.
We have cindee now almost 2 months and she is doing really well.

we have learned that when she first goes out in the am, we have to be patient and make sure she does pee and poop- otherwise she has an accident in the house.. she is getting better.

after she eats, she is ready to pee/poop about 20 mins later.

now that she is a little older, she doesnt poop two times in teh morning, she poops now when we get home from work..

Puppies are a lot of work, but you will see progress in no time!