Rockridge
Kennel Crate Training Help
We here at Rockridge are not expert trainers, but this is what we
advise for you to start with for crate training... as far as we know,
it works pretty well.
Crate training is great IF the puppy is old
enough to "wait" for you to take him out. Most puppies aren't
physically able to wait until they are 3 1/2-4 months old.
Therefore they will soil their bed because they can't help it. (Like a
6 month old baby in diapers that you wouldn't dream of trying to potty
train). They can't help but mess up their bed if they physically
can't wait and you don't get them out at the right time.
Keep the puppy in a playpen or a small
area with a babygate when you are not closely watching or playing
with him. Put the crate in with the puppy but leave the door to
the crate off or open. Generally a puppy will like the security
of a small crate (den) to sleep in, but will get out to go to the
bathroom if it can. Leave papers all around the crate - the puppy
should use them (unless he shreds them). As he starts using the
papers, - pick up the excess papers and hopefully the puppy will
continue to go to (eventualy) just the one paper. If it's not in a good
spot - move the dirty paper where you want him to go and hopefully he
will follow his own scent. Then, also put a dirty paper outside
where you want him to learn to go and take him to that spot each time
you do take him out so he'll get the idea that that's his bathroom.
At 3 1/2 -4 months start
closing the puppy in the crate for short periods so he'll learn you are
coming back and he will be more able to wait for you to come back to
let him out. Do take him out weather permitting several times a day,
but unless you want to get up every hour or two all night you won't
catch him every time until he is ready. You will begin to pick up
on what sign your puppy will give that he needs to go out - rather than
you being well trained to watch a clock and remember to take him
out. You will be well trained, but will your puppy? Some people
have time to watch the clock and that's fine, but I'm too old (at 39)
to get up all night. I'm also too busy in the day to remember to take a
puppy out every couple hours.
Some puppies will turn circles, some
bark, some tap you, some will ring a bell on the door. He will tell you
what he needs when he's ready.
I know a lot of people won't agree with
me but unless you are willing to watch the clock every hour or two -
day and night - for months, it is easier for me to wait until the puppy
is more physically and maybe mentally to be "trained". They are
all different though. What works for one may not work for another.
I also tell my customers to let their
kids sleep in an old T shirt and put it in the puppy's bed. I
know a lot of people say to bring a blanket or toy that has been with
the mother or litter so the puppy will feel more at home. My
theory is I don't want a puppy smelling Mom or littermates and crying
to come back here. (The blanket would also probably be in shreds if it
was with a whole litter for a few days). I want them to bond to
their new owners and if they are handled gently by the new kids or
adults and have a shirt with their scent on it, I think they will
adjust faster. Could be wrong, but I don't want them wanting to
come back and being unhappy.
Hope that helps someone. It
may not work for everyone. Good luck!