To crate train or not to crate train...that is the question..

[suzi-q]

My puppy is doing poop and peep all over the house ( just 3 months old!) and I am considering crate training him...Although I heard it is the right thing to do, I HATE leaving him in the crate so long when I am home....I would like to keep him out more (which I have been doing tooooooo much) and then he has all the accidents....how exactly do you crate train and is there a way of doing it without so much "crate time"?

[suzi-q]

Thank you so much for your suggestions...I will follow through the best I can.  In the past I always did wee wee pads and stuff, but they say the crate training is quicker and more effective...I am really going to put effort into it...a Mastiff puppy!!!  Oh my goodness!  Definitely not the size of my shitzu!

Thanks again!

Susan

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Congratulations on your new puppy...what kind is he?

Crate training is an extremely effective method to help your puppy learn where it is appropriate to go to the bathroom.  The most important thing to remember is to have a good consistent schedule (as April and have2kids have already mentioned).

I would start the day by taking the puppy outside immediately when you wake up (try to wake up at the same time every day) and lavishly praising the puppy when he urinates and/or defecates in the appropriate area.  Then, you go back inside and get breakfast ready.   Put down your puppy's food and let him eat his portion.  You can start getting ready for your day while he is eating.   If he hasn't eaten within about 20 minutes...pick up the food and put it away.  Then, it's outside again before you leave for work/school and then into the crate.

Depending on the size of your puppy, he is not going to be able to "hold it" for more than 3-4 hours initially, so someone should come up around lunch time and let the puppy outside.  Again, lavish praise and treats for going outdoors.   Then, back in the crate until you come home for the evening.  In the evening, outside first, and then time for dinner.  Again, put the food down, but if he doesn't eat within about 20-30 minutes,take the food away.   Most puppies will need to defecate about 30-60 minutes after eating, so plan another trip outside at that time, followed by a trip outside right before bed.  Then, into the crate for the evening.

Most puppies will readily take to this type of schedule but it is important to remember not to let the puppy wander when you can't watch him.   I have a Mastiff puppy at home and when I would forget and get distracted by work or whatever, I would almost certainly find a LARGE pile to remind me that I hadn't been focused on him.

Be sure to get a good pet stain and odor remover (I like Nature's Miracle) to clean up his accidents.

Consider looking for and buying Dr. Suzanne Hett's book:  Raising a Behaviorally Healthy Puppy.   It gives a great background and concepts about how housetraining works and how your puppy's mind thinks.

Good luck to you!

[suzi-q]

I forgot all the work that goes with a puppy!  My Tiffy was just so wonderful and I remember that she was quite easy to train....boy do I miss her......

[April2]

Suzi, I felt like you with our puppies. What I did was block them in the kitchen where they still had room to play, sleep, etc. and had their bed, water and toys and could see us. When we knew we could be right there to watch them and play with them we'd let them out for a little bit but took them outside about every hour to an hour and a half. They are 8 months old now and doing much better, just the occasional accident, but we do have to watch them with an eagle eye, not only for accidents but for chewing things they shouldn't. I heard you can't really relax and trust them until they're about a year old. Good luck! It does take lots of patience and practice but he'll get there. :)

[have 2 kids]

You can try "tether training"    One end is hooked to your waist and the other to his collar.  
I would also try taking him out every 2 hours and after eating or drinking.   Pay attention to the times he has went in the house and try taking him out at those times.