How can i potty-train my pup (update)?

Question

Thank you for all the answers, but my main question now is ... what is crate training? ive never herd of it before... and do you buy the crate? how much is it? how does it work? (as you can tell im very interested in the crate option) thank you

Answer 1

Every year, millions of dogs are surrendered to the pounds and humane societies because they are believed to be "untrainable". Their "bad behaviour" includes chewing furniture and shoes, barking too much and ignoring commands - all problems that are not permanent and easily corrected if you take the time to do so.
As difficult as it may be to remember, your dog is not a little person. You cannot reason with a dog to get him to behave the way you would like. Even though they have shared our homes for thousands of years, dogs still retain many of the instincts and characteristics of the wild dogs from whom they are descended. Bred from ancestral wolves, dogs are both pack and den animals and for this reason, most dogs will accept a crate as part of their lifestyle. Like a baby's playpen, a crate or cage is a place in which your dog can stay when you are unable to keep an eye on him.
Choosing a Crate

A crate is a dog's very own special place. When you choose a crate, be sure to select the correct size for your dog. The crate must be large enough for the adult dog to stand up straight, turn around and lie down in a stretched position. Crates usually come in two varieties: fiberglass and metal. A fiberglass crate will provide a greater sense of security for your dog; a metal crate is collapsible and will allow for better circulation.

Introducing Your Dog to the Crate

For crate training to be most successful, your dog must be properly introduced to the crate. Crate training should begin as soon as you bring your new dog home. Equip the crate with water and a blanket or towel. Start off slowly and increase the time gradually. Place the crate out of the way, but not away from the action: your dog is one of the family, and needs to feel he is not being banished when confined in the crate.

Introducing your dog to the crate should be positive and fun. Never place your dog in the crate after disciplining him. Your dog needs to feel the crate is a happy, secure place. Select a command such as "Into your house". Encourage your dog to enter by tossing a treat into the crate. Leave the door open at first. Once your dog enters readily, close the door for a few minutes, and praise him with a cheerful, positive voice. Leave your dog with a special chew toy, just for the times he is in the crate.

Scheduling is very important. Ideally, young puppies would not be crated for more than three hours at a time - they cannot be expected to hold their bladders for more than a couple of hours. Adult dogs should not be crated for much more than eight hours. If you must leave your puppy or dog for longer than the ideal length of time, be sure the crate is arranged to provide a bedding area and a papered area to accommodate "accidents". If your dog needs to use the papers in the crate, under no circumstances should you scold or punish him.

Any complaining your dog may do at the beginning is not usually caused by the crate, but by the new controls set by this unfamiliar environment. Do not let your dog out when he whines or complains. By doing so, you will only reward his bad behaviour. When your dog settles down for five minutes, release him from the crate.

Once you feel your dog can be left on his own, you may practice leaving him alone for short periods of time. Allow your dog access to only certain areas of your home. As with children, place breakables and dangerous items well out of reach!

Your dog's crate is a tool that should allow you to have a smoother, happier relationship with your dog. It is not intended as a place to leave your dog and ignore him.

While crate training is a very effective method of training your dog, it may not be the answer to every behaviour problem your dog might exhibit. If your dog seems to be taking a long time to come around, do not give up! Your dog can be trained to be a fastidious member of your household regardless of age. Just be sure to give your dog every chance to do the right thing, at the right time, in the right place, and let your dog know you love him for him!

The Golden Rules of Crate Training:

The crate belongs to your dog. It should be off-limits to children.

You are the "pack leader", and you are in charge. Your dog needs to learn this!

Never let your dog out when he is whining. Giving in will make it more difficult to train him.

Remember, you are doing your dog a favour by keeping him safe and out of trouble when you are unable to supervise him.

Your dog's crate is not intended for long hours of use. When you are at home, your dog needs to be out of his "house" and in your company.

Never use the crate as a means of punishment.

Do not place the crate in a draft or in direct sunlight.

Do not leave a collar or tag on your dog when he is in the crate. It may catch on the bars and cause injury to your dog.

Answer 2

The dog's crate is like their den. They can go into it and be kept safe from things that can hurt puppies when you can't watch them. My dogs were crate trained as pups and still love to lay in their crates.

Try this website:www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/crate_training.html

Answer 3

I have a modified version of crate training. I have a crate with the door removed so the dog goes in there to sleep. The crate itself is placed within a pen area (child gate enclosure that I bought for about $53). She is indoor trained so she has the ability to relieve herself when she is in the enclosed area. Dogs like crates; it makes them feel secure, so it isn't cruel. There are different types of crates. I have a small dog so her crate is a small travel carrier crate that I got for about $15.

Answer 4

Here are two great resources... www.ddfl.org ... look under behavior advice...there are articles that will answer this question and more... and there is an EBOOK that you can download for free at www.openpaw.org called before you get your puppy by IAN DUNBAR ... BOTH REALLY GOOD RESOURCES!
Crate training capitalizes in your dogs desire to "den" and keep his den clean... it helps in potty training in that it give you a place to confine him where he wont do his business when you cant supervise. that is only ONE of the benefits! the cost of the crate will depend on the size of the dog.

Answer 5

You go to any pet supplies store to buy a crate. They very in price range. You train them so that they keep their crate clean so they learn how to keep their dens clean. Then once they learn to keep clean in their crates they will learn to keep clean in your house. Dogs by nature want to keep where they stay/sleep clean so it will be a natural instinct for them to keep their area clean. You should put your dog in their at night and during the day when your not home. It should work.

Answer 6

so u want to bye a crate for the pup and u dont want it to go to the bathroom in it.?
well it takes a while but for it not to go on the bathroom on the carpet theres a thing that u can put on the floor it has 2 animals on it a cat and a dog when they sniff it they sneeze and it makes it hared for them to go it will not kill them what u need is to put it down and do not vacume it up put a little or in the spot that it goes in and it will help.
u can also take it out side train it to go out side that will help they usealy have a spot that they like so it might help or u can get a book about how to train them to and thats might help.
if there scared of crate take top off put there bed in it but it might take a while for them to go in it but it works beleave me my dog was a little pain in the butt but it worked and my dogs dont go to the bathroom on the floor anymore because of what i stuck on the floor.

Answer 7

Idea is that a dog won't poop where it sleeps. When you leave the house you put the dog in the crate.

Answer 8

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM,WHAT YOU DO IS TAKE HIM OUT THE SAME TIME OF DAY. WHEN HE "DOES HIS BUSINESS" REWARD HIM(I THINK I CLIKKER WORKS BEST). OF COARSE ITLL TAKE HIM/HER A LOONNNGGG TIME TO LEARN, BUT ITS WORTH IT!!

AND A CRATE IS LIKE A CARRIER FOR A DOG, THE COME IN ALL SIZES AND SHAPES, RANGE FROM LIKE $25-$100. $25 IS FOR A PUP, BUT I RECOMMEND GETTING A BIG ONE SINCE THE PUP IS GOING TO GROW. TO TRAIN HIM THEIR, JUST DO WHAT I SAID EAILER JUST DONT TAKE HIM OUTSIDE, PUT HIM IN THERE. ITS LIKE TRAINING HIM IN A DOG BED.

Answer 9

One way that you can train the pup is by take it outside before you leave so that it can go to the bathroom. Or give it the food first and then take outside to go to the bathroom.