puppy pad & brand new puppy
|
|
| If you're crate training, I'd just skip the pads altogether. The problem with the pads is that if you use them in the crate and the dog pees on it, he'll associate peeing on the pad with peeing in the crate and it'll make crate training harder in the longrun. I tried using them in the crate a few times just to give me a break (Clyde peed in there nonstop) and I found that not only did he just kick it away, he tried to eat it.
Otherwise, I'd say just keep doing what you're doing! |
| I'd skip them, too. We didn't put anything in the crate with Bingley until a week and 1/2 ago, and he's almost 13 weeks old. Sometimes if there is a padding of any kind - but especially the puppy pads - it encourages the pup to go and they can push it away from their sleep area. This goes against the principle of not messing up your home sleep area. Sounds like you're doing a great job! |
| It was funny but the first night when I brought him home we had a 2 hour drive back and I had this huge water bowl in his crate because I thought he'd be thirsty. Well he dumped the water and pooped right in the bowl perfectly. It was like a little toilet.
So now I'm leaving him out on the hour or half hour and he's going outside like a champ - he did not soil in the crate when I went to the store today either (2 hours). I am thinking now that if I go to the store and crate him maybe a water bottle would be better than the bowl as I don't want to bring back old memories of a mini toilet and he dumps it anyway. Anyone heard of doing this? Also should you praise them as they are urinating outside or after..seems logical to do it verbally when he's doing it, but I'm afraid if I praise him a second after he's done, he won't associate praise with going potty. |
| If you're only gone for an hour or so, I wouldn't stress too much about the water. Take the bowl out until he's a little more reliable and then put it back in. I think someone on here mentioned using a water bottle before but, for short times, I think he'll be just fine. For longer times, you could always get one of those little hook on bowls to bring it off the floor of his crate but would be easier for him to drink from. But, he might just knock it down. Everything's trial and error! |
| Rule of thumb with puppy crate training too is to keep the crate small during housebreaking. Large enough for him to stand up & turn around in. This will help him not want to go to the bathroom where he sleeps. If the crate is too big, he'll find a little corner to go in.
Please don't feel mean for crate training. He will end up feeling very secure in his crate after some time and actually want to be in it. Only our 3rd puppy is in a crate & we keep one in our bedroom & one in our downstairs hallway for when we leave the house. Also, I would recommend not giving your pup water after a certain time each night to help the pup sleep through the night. You can increase the time as housebreaking starts to work. And yes, praise right when the dog is eliminating to help get the message across. I also would try to have treats handy to give right afterwards. |
| Thanks verve up, butterstoch and mop lover for all the advice...We had a successful night last night. 7 hours in the crate and he held it and then went outside to urinate. Of course didn't expect poop to happen 3 times this AM, but 1 out of 3 isn't too bad. I picked him up and ran him outside when I saw him squat. Probably should be out there with him for an hour in the morning as there are multiple things to get taken care of. I didn't give him enough time. I'm also afraid that praising him when he's going will distract him from going as usually he gets so excited when you give him attention. I usually do it the instant he finishes and just tell him he's good as he goes. A treat might be a good idea. Tough choice as the praise and his action has to take place at the same time since dogs live only in the present. Anyone ever watch the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic Channel.. That Caesar guy has so much good advice. I found the show a month ago and glad I did. |
| It sounds like you're doing well with your puppy. Does he have a name yet? His pictures are adorable.
Our Chewie is 19 weeks - and doing well with pottying. He was part time in the house, part-time in a dog run with his siblings before we got him. We've had him for 2 weeks. We give subdued praise for pottying outside - more in a soothing voice than a super happy one - for the distraction factor you noticed! Chewie gets a blanket in his crate -he brought one from his "home". I just washed it this week - it had the scent of his brothers and sisters on it, and we purposely didn't wash it until now when he's more settled in. He moves it around, but doesn't chew it. On the other hand, our Riley (rat terrier who will be 1 yr tomorrow) doesn't get a blanket, he still chews them up into little pieces. Besides the mess, I am afraid he may eat the pieces and cause a bowel obstruction! |
gallatea wrote: Probably should be out there with him for an hour in the morning as there are multiple things to get taken care of. I didn't give him enough time. I'm also afraid that praising him when he's going will distract him from going as usually he gets so excited when you give him attention..
Definitely cut him a little more slack at this age but don't give him too much time. He needs to learn early on that when you take him out, he has a "job" to do. Really no more than 5 minutes is enough. If he doesn't go, take him inside, wait 15 minutes and try it again. Use a "potty" word as he goes so he starts to get the command that's associated with eliminating. If I tell my boys "go outside" after I take them out, they pee immediately. ( I know "go outside" sounds silly since we already are outside but, hey, it's what they know!) You don't have to go nuts praising him to get him excited. Even just a soothing "Good boy, good potty" will help get the message across. I know what you mean though, because everything gets them so excited at that age! Are you taking him out on a leash (outside of emergency moments)? |
 You have my sympathy 
I'm training an 8 weeks old puppy at the moment and I'm going crazy  |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|