One of the most
difficult hurdles that any new puppy owner faces is housebreaking or as
it is sometimes also referred to; potty training or doing business.
Although there is no tactic that comes with a 100% guarantee, one of
the most successful methods is crate training. Crate training can
drastically reduce the amount of stress on the owner and the puppy that
often comes with training the new four-legged member of your family.
So what is a crate? It is a cage that is usually made of plastic or
wire. Wire ones are collapsible and the puppy has a great view of his
surroundings. The plastic crates are lightweight and easy to clean and
tend to be the most commonly used. Either can be purchased at a
department or pet store. When purchasing a crate you must make sure
there is enough room for the puppy to stretch right out and to stand
erect. Make sure the crate is not too big though or all your potty
training efforts in vain because the puppy will be able to do her
business in one end and sleep in the other.
Crates can also be used for a variety of other things than just potty
training. It provides the
“den” security that can be
traced back to their ancestors. It provides a place that is safe and
cozy for the puppy. Putting the puppy in the crate when there is
company or a lot of activity going on it saves her from all the
reprimands from getting in the way. It is great for travelling. When
you have to leave the puppy home putting her in her crate will save you
from coming home to a disaster. It is also great for your puppy to
sleep in through the night without the owner having to worry about her
roaming around and possibly injuring herself. Puppies however, should
NEVER be left alone in their crate for extended periods of time.
What makes the crate method of potty training so effective is because a
puppy will not soil where it sleeps. However if you leave the puppy in
the crate for too long it will have to do business and you will set
your potty training efforts back to the beginning. The most important
things you need to remember about crate training are consistency and
routine and lots and lots of rewards. A crate is used differently to
potty train then if you have to go out and you are leaving her home
alone. When you are leaving your puppy home you have to put the crate
in a small area, for example a bathroom and leave the crate door open
with newspapers down for the puppy to do her business. Once the puppy
is older and has good bladder and bowel control you can leave it in the
crate but preferably not longer than 4 hours. However for potty
training your puppy should stay in the crate then taken out frequently
to the area that she is suppose to do her business. This can be either
outside or on newspapers. For a very new puppy take her out to do her
business every half-hour then after 8 weeks every hour. When the puppy
goes potty where she is suppose to you can reward her with treats and
lots of praise and maybe leave her out to play for awhile before
putting her back in. If she does not go within around 10 minutes just
put her back in her crate and try again later. If you keep a record of
when your puppy goes, for instance how long after she eats or naps then
you will know when to let her out and she can have more and more time
left out to play. The crate will also help puppies learn bladder and
bowel control.
A great idea is to either say something like “go
potty” or “do your
business” when you put her outside or on newspaper
then when she hears those words sheÂ’ll know it is
time to go out. Also if you have something for her to scratch or ring
or push she will learn as she gets older that that is what she needs to
do to let you know that she needs to go out. Puppies want very much to
please you so training them, as puppies will make things much easier
for you and her as she gets older.
Of course when the puppy is initially introduced into the crate there
will be lots of whining. This is not the sort of behavior you want to
encourage or reward with attention. When she quiets down then you can
take her out for a little playtime but the whining should be ignored.
The crate should be kept in an area where she will not be alone and can
be part of the family then at night take her into the bedroom with you.
Be sure to have a soft blanket and a snuggle toy in the crate with her.
I often put a blanket over the crate to give the puppy a very secure
feeling. In the beginning you will have to get up a few times during
the night to let her out but take a deep breath (or a nap) because this
really will not last forever. I have seen puppies sleep through the
night at 8 weeks.
Successful crate training requires commitment on the part of you the
owner and it definitely is work. However, the reward in the end will
make it more than worth the effort. |
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