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How To Crate Train Your New Puppy

tessabourdon | Feb 25, 2010 |

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Few things in life can rival a new puppy in terms of the joy and affection they provide. While a puppy is a fun addition to a family, toilet training can be extremely challenging. Some dogs and some breeds such as many toy breeds can be particularly challenging to toilet train, but with consistency and persistence it is possible to toilet train any dog. Crate training is one of the most popular and effective ways of toilet training dogs. This is because dogs are naturally averse to soiling their sleeping area or den. Some people don't like the idea of crate training dogs because of the confinement. It is important to realize that as long as dogs get proper exercise they will instinctively seek out and appreciate a comfortable safe place they can relax in. Keep this fact in mind while you're choosing a crate. Make sure it's big enough for you dog to turn around and stand up in, but not so big that he can use one end as a toilet and the other end for sleeping. Place an old towel or newspaper in the crate to make it more comfortable for your dog and proceed to the 5 steps.

5 simple steps for toilet training your dog:

1. Establish a toilet training schedule that is compatible with your lifestyle and that of your puppy. It is important to give your dog or puppy a chance to go to the bathroom after each drink and each meal. Your dog will also need to relieve itself just before going to bed, and upon waking.

2. Once you've established a schedule bring your dog outside according to feeding and resting times. When you bring your dog out use a command like "do your business" or "go pee" just before and while your dog is going to the bathroom. Make sure to always use the same word so that the dog can make a clear association with the command and the action of relieving itself. Once he's done, praise your dog. If your dog or puppy does not go to the bathroom, take it back inside without praising or scolding it.

3. Once you have returned indoors, put your dog back in its crate. Wait 10 minutes and bring the dog back out to try again. Repeat this process until the dog relieves itself then praise.

4. While your dog is not in its crate watch it closely for behaviors like sniffing that tell you that your dog wants to go to the bathroom. Quickly pick up your dog and bring it outside. If your dog has an accident inside, don't punish or yell at it. Simply clean it up as thoroughly as possible so that the dog is not drawn to soil the same area. Keep a consistent training schedule and you'll have less and less accidents to clean up.

5. Always crate your dog at night in order to avoid undoing all your hard work of praise and reinforcement.

To prevent your adorable puppy from turning into a full-grown nuisance it is important to be consistent in training and disciplining your new puppy. Stick to this plan and before long you'll have a well-behaved toilet trained pooch!