Crates and toilet training

[markie and gang]

For our new pup we are getting in August we propose for the first time ever to use a crate, primarily as refuge for the little tyke!

Some books etc suggest having paper etc in the crate should he want to go to toilet? Suerly this is teaching him bad habits as we want him to go outinto the garden?

How then does a crate help with toilet training when really it should be puppies cosy refuge?

Anyone help please? :?                      

[PennyB]

I just had blankets in the crate with my pups and must admit haven't seen the bit about putting paper in. Some people crate pups at night which is meant to help with housetraining and to try to teach them to hold on.                    

[Magic Star]

I didn't use paper in Indies crate either  First 2 nights she did wee in her crate, but after that nothing atall   I also never used newspaper in the house, it made more mess than it was worth :wink:

Good luck with your new addition, I think you are making a wise choice, crate training                    

[Tracey J]

I used puppy pads (pets at home) underneath Mollys vetbed mat and blankets in her pen so that she had the comfort of the fabric but wasn't lying in a puddle if she had an accident.  the puppy pads are really absorbent and dry quickly.  They're more expensive than newspaper obviously, but they're plastic backed so save stains on carpets.  They also don't leave the days headlines on your carpet!

Have great fun with your new babe when he arrives!

Tracey & Molly                    

[lizzy]

Hello

The idea behind crate traing as regards to toilet training is that it teaches the pup to hold on a little while ( a very short time at first ) because pups don't like to soil where they sleep.

At first you might expect accidents in the crate, say at night time, but before long they do hold themselves. I would say you are right in questioning putting paper in his crate as he might think it's expected of him.

Personally I don't use paper at any time while toilet training as I think it just confuses them into thinking it's ok to " go " indoors.

Both my girls were dry very quickly using the crate training method!! :wink:


Lizzy Molly and Evie                    

[markie and gang]

Thanks all

so how does this work then?

do we leave him in the crate for longer periods at a time, then escort him outside to do the business in the hope that he will learn to hold on for longer in the crate so as to not wee his bed?

Thanks again                    

[lizzy]

Yes , at first puppies of 8 weeks can't hold themselves very long, so when he wakes up take him out straight away, like you say, gradually build the time up.

But the crate is more than a toilet training aid, as you rightly said before it's his cosy bed first and foremost and I'm sure you'll make it lovely for him!

Lizzy Molly and Evie                    

[Laura]

While pup is still small - partition off the crate so that his area is only big enough for him/her to turn round and lie out flat - if the area is too big pup will sleep on one side and mess on the other.  Very quickly a pup will hold on through the night - on waking though - he will need out fast!!   :shock:    in the early days this will be every 3 hours during the night approx.  They very quickly get the idea though - well some do :roll:

I use vetinary bedding in my crates - when it gets wet - the moisture is pulled through to the back of the bed leaving the top dry and comfortable.  I put one sheet of newspaper underneath so that I can check for accidents in the night - the vet bed dries too quickly to always know if it has been soiled or not. :wink:  Other than that - no newspaper here either - lots of kitchen roll for accidents though                    

[markie and gang]

Thanks all                    

[PennyB]

I didn't use paper in Indies crate either  First 2 nights she did wee in her crate, but after that nothing atall   I also never used newspaper in the house, it made more mess than it was worth :wink:  

Good luck with your new addition, I think you are making a wise choice, crate training

Yes and they tend to wear most of the paper anyway or eat it LOL                    

[taniac]

If you're going to be around all day with the puppy, the best thing to do is sort out a routine, where you put him/her in the crate for a couple of hours, feed him, ask him to go to the toilet (keep repeating until he performs), play for an hour and then pop him back in the crate for another period of time.

The puppy will need quite a lot of sleep so this will be as good for him as for you.  The intention is to provide a regular routine and have times for toilet, feeding, play and sleep!

We put pads underneath the tray in the crate.  However although the first pup we had used the puppy pads, having 2 dogs just meant they got ripped up, and the same goes for newspaper  

As long as you give regular opportunities to go to the toilet, praise lavishly (and you can use a clicker) then the puppy will soon cotton on!  :wink: