The basic idea behind crate training is that the pup will not go to the bathroom where he eats and sleeps. Using this as the rule, you need to train the pup for a week or two with this method until he gets the idea. Don’t deviate from it as it will confuse him. Be consistent.
So, you put the pup in his crate. Use some kibble or a treat and tell him to load up into his crate. Being in a crate is a reward, not a punishment. Never punish a pup by putting him in a crate. After a while of doing this, he will want to enter the crate because he knows he will get a reward from you. Now that he is in the crate, he can chew on a bone, sleep, whatever.
Always position the crate in a place that is near human activity. This helps to reinforce the fact that he is being rewarded by being near his humans,etc. Never leave him off in an isolated part of the house.
Now, being a pup, he will only last a couple of hours in the crate before he needs to go, so keep an eye on the clock for this and after around two hours, let him out of his crate and take him immediately outside to go potty. Give him the command ‘Go Potty’ and when he does that, praise him “Good Boy Potty’ and then spend time playing, exercising, socializing, etc.
When you are done with the pup, load him back up in the crate with a treat, praise him for loading up and let him take his nap. Repeat throughout the day.
This is not a permanent set up. This routine only goes on until the pup is crate trained. Then, he will get the idea that your house is like his crate and he won’t mess in the house. You just have to keep your timing there, because even a crate trained pup will only last a couple of hours in the house before having to go outside.
Don’t mix other housebreaking methods with crate training. It will work on its own if done correctly.
Remember to cut off his water intake after around eight pm. If you don’t he will pee all night long.
Also, do not put toys in his crate. Toys are for play with humans. Bones are for dogs to work on themselves in a crate, ete. Otherwise you will have a dog that destroys his toys and won’t play with them.
Bob
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