Crate training is the quickest way to get the job done when you are house training puppies. The reason why crate training puppies works is because it’s very easy to get a grip on the eating and toilet schedule for your dog, and his opportunities for accidents are greatly reduced.

Many inexperienced dog owners are uncomfortable with the idea of crate training, as it might seem harsh or cruel. Dogs enjoy having a private den area, and the crate becomes a safe space for your puppy that he knows is his “home” and he can go to when he’s tired. The way crate training basically works is that a puppy is resistant to going to the toilet in his own space, and will try to hold off on relieving himself until he can get to another location-this is why crate training works.

The crate should be large enough so your dog can get up, walk around in a small circle and lie down. As he gets bigger, you can upgrade to a large crate if needed. Dogs don’t like to lie in their urine (who would??) so they hold off as long as they possibly can.

Keep track of the times each day your puppy drinks, eats and goes to the bathroom throughout the day. Then put together a toilet break schedule based on the times of day your puppy might need to go potty. Potty times usually happen first thing in the morning, after vigorous play, about 30 minutes after eating, and just before bedtime. For very young puppies a few nighttime time trips might be needed if they cannot hold it all night long.

The first thing you do when you take your puppy out of his crate is take him right to the toilet area. If he gets easily distracted, simply carry him straight there and set him down in the toilet area. Be prepared to watch and wait for 10-15 minutes, especially in the beginning. Once he has finished his business, immediately give lots of verbal praise and offer him a treat. If nothing happens, take him back to the crate, and try again in about 20 minutes. Repeat until successful, and then reward the good behavior with playtime, as well as lots of praise and affection. It is important to teach your dog that he needs to go potty first, then he can have playtime. This sets him up to expect and understand that he should get his business done and then he gets playtime.

In the initial stages, crate training puppies takes a lot of time and focus. If done right, you should see improvements quickly. Your puppy will need frequent breaks playing throughout the day, but for the most part he should stay in the crate during the early stages of the training process.

Keep your eyes on your puppy at all times whenever he is out of the crate playing or wandering about. You have to train your eyes on him at all times, and if you see he is about to go on the carpet, swoop in and take him out to the right area immediately. This will be awkward (especially mid-stream) , but it is the only opportunity to help your puppy understand where his toilet area is and change his habits.

When you are house training puppies, be patient and understanding, because accidents will happen. What you should do is quietly clean up the mess without letting your dog see, so you aren’t drawing any attention to it. Be sure and use a proper cleaning product to remove the urine smell. And remember, your puppy is just a baby and doesn’t know any better, so take the time to teach him what to do, and your patience will be rewarded!

Author Alicia Ainsley Summers has been training dogs for over 10 years and is an expert trainer of puppies and small dogs. In addition to teaching her clients about the best practices for training their dogs, Alicia loves spending time with her two little maltese dogs. For more expert tips on how to train a puppy, take a look at her House Training Puppies site.

Related posts:

  1. Approved And Tested Puppy Training Tips: Crate Training a Puppy
  2. House Training Dogs “7 pointers for puppy crate training
  3. The Simple And Effective Way To Potty Training Dogs
  4. Crate Training Puppies The Easy Way
  5. Information On Crate Training Dogs

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