Potty Training went down the Pooper!

20 Sep 2009 7:30 pm

contdogrol said:

Puppies are very confused. I never understand why some people think crates which are basically dens are cruel and others who use them use them too much to the point where they are indeed cruel. When used properly crates can be very good for everyone involved. I hope you will read further.
Crate training should not be used in excess. Your puppy should never be left in a crate longer than 8 hours but, this is the max. You can figure out how long a puppy should be in the crate with this equation.. take 1 hour and add it to the months in age of the pup this means a 4 month old pup should max out at 5 hours etc. I also think dogs should not be confined more than once each day this means if you confine overnight they have the kitchen during the day and if they are in the crate during work (with a potty break mid-day)they are teathered or free-roaming at night. That being said a crate can be a place that dogs like to feel comfortable and rest. Give your dog treats and food in the crate and include a chew toy as well as a plush toy to amuse your dog while in the crate. use a crate cushion/pad to keep your dogs den nice and comfy. If you still insist that crates are cruel ask yourself this. Can you do what your dog needs to get potty trained? do this. 1 get up early-bring pup out to potty area stand looking bored until he goes 2nd go in feed pup and bring him out again to potty 3rd learn how big his bladder is meaning if he drinks and goes everyhour you bring him out every hour, if he has accident you ignore it and bring him out and then return to clean up mess with enzyme cleaner 4th bring pup out regularly and never late use a timer to help 5th bring out after work,after dinner and several times in the evening and at least once in the middle of the night. when he starts getting it and the bladder grows you can extend the times a little and do away with the middle of the night session usually,unless he asks for it. never return inside immediately after potty, never scold accidents especially if you aren't present when they occure. Puppies need very consistant schedules and your breeder should have kept your pup longer had they known you were leaving town after a week... that is not consistant. who knows what the sitters did to help your training. everyone in training needs to be on the same page. I do not use my dogs crate for training now but, he does go in it if he needs to rest because puppies brains don't tell them to stop they push and push until they crash and we have to tell them it is ok to rest. I use it after a long morning so he can rest in his den and relax. He goes right to sleep on his cushion and I come back and let him out after and hour and a half nap. I agree that somepeople rely on crates with their dogs too much and for way too many hours but, if you buy one that is large enough and put it in a nice quiet area it can be just the ticket.

03 Sep 2009 8:31 pm

Valery37 said:

How old is your dog? Perhaps you should leave out pee pee pads. If he is very young and you get him home for only one week, then pass him on for a week, that is quite confusing. Can't you stay home with him for awhile. Or wait until he's older to take him home.