HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING

1.0 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND CAUTION:
In this article, we are going to briefly discuss the topic of "how to potty train your dog using crate training"?

The thought of having to potty-train your dog sounds like a dreadful and intimidating task for the new (and especially first-time) dog owner.

However, if you have a can-do attitude and are thorough in following the instructions that are laid-out below then (before you know it) your new pet will be potty-trained; and life with you new dog will be good.

This article is the third of a series of five (5) articles that have been written on the topic of potty-training your dog. These other articles are listed below.

a. When Should You Crate Train Your Dog?
b. When Should You Paper Train Your Dog?
c. How to Start Crate-Training your Dog - When you first get your dog home?
d. How do you Paper Train Your Dog

I have written this article with the following assumptions.

Assumption # 1: That you have determined that "Crate Training" is the best approach for you to potty train your dog. If you are not sure if Crate Training is the best approach, then click here to read an article that will help you determine if crate training is right for you and your dog.

Assumption # 2: That you have already read the article "How to Start Crate Training Your Dog - The First Day", and that you are comfortable with the information that is in this article. If you have not read this article then you can access it by clicking here.

Before we proceed, you need to remember and be aware of the following "axioms of potty training":

If your dog relieves him/herself inside your home, it will be easier for he or she to do it again. Likewise,

If your dog relieves him/herself outside your home, it will be easier for he or she to do that again as well.

With that said, let us proceed to the lesson at hand.

2.0 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - WHAT IS CRATE TRAINING?
In Crate Training, we are placing the dog (or puppy) inside a small "indoor kennel" anytime we are not directly supervising the dog.

2.1 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - HOW DOES CRATE TRAINING WORK TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG?
Crate Training operates under the theory that "a dog does not like to relieve him/herself wherever he/she sleeps.

Hence, whenever you confine a dog inside the crate the dog will instinctively "hold it" until he/she is let out of the crate - provided you don't leave the dog inside the crate too long.

By placing your dog in the crate, you are (in essence) controlling when he/she will relieve him/herself.

2.2 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - HOW DO I CHOOSE A CRATE?
Whenever you pick out a crate for your dog/puppy, you need consider the following.

1. You will want to buy a crate that is large enough for the dog to "grow into".

2. The crate should be tall enough for the dog (when fully grown) to be able to stand-up in (without having to crouch).

3. The crate should be wide enough for the dog to be able to turn-around (inside the crate).

4. The crate should not be so large, that the dog can relieve himself on one end of the crate and still comfortably sleep at the other end of the crate.

This would torpedo your efforts and would undermine the whole intent of crate training.

NOTE: For some breeds, the dog will be MUCH larger when he/she is fully grown than whenever he/she is a puppy.

In this case, you might still want to buy a large crate and use boards or screens to (temporarily) reduce the size of the crate, for "crate-training" purposes.

2.3 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - WHAT ARE THE MECHANICS OF CRATE TRAINING?
Crate training works as follows.

2.3.1. HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - CONSISTENT CONFINEMENT:
Your dog (or puppy) is inside of the crate at all times UNLESS he/she is

Eating

Going outside with you to use the "Toilet", or

Playing with you (under supervision).

2.3.2. HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - IMMEDIATE TRANSPORT TO THE "TOILET AREA"
Whenever you let your puppy out of the crate, you should then immediately take him/her outside to the designated "toilet area" (so that he/she can relieve himself).

It is imperative that you are consistent with this practice (and your schedule) or this whole potty-training efforts will be doomed to failure.

2.3.3. HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - NO UNSUPERVISED ROAMING THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME:
While you are doing crate training, you must never allow your dog to have unsupervised access to your house.

If you do this, you are encouraging your dog to relieve him/herself inside your home.

And (as I mentioned earlier), once a dog relieves him/herself inside your house, it becomes easier for he/she to do this again.

2.3.4. HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - HOW LONG SHOULD YOU LEAVE THE DOG IN THE CRATE?
The ideal amount of time would be to place your new dog and leave him/her in the crate for "2 Hour" or "3 Hour" blocks of time.

Once a given "block of time" is up, then you should do the following.

Let your dog out of the crate.

Immediately take your dog out to the "toilet area" and let him/her relieve himself.

Lavish praise on your dog for "doing it" in the proper location, and

Either feeding, petting or playing with you dog afterwards (which ever is appropriate).

Finally, you should place your dog back in the crate when you are no longer in a position to directly supervise him/her in the house.

2.4 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Crate Training typically takes about 1 to 2 months, depending upon the breed of the dog and how much time/effort you spend on the training.

As the dog gets older (and as your progress through the training) then you will then want to put the dog into the crate for shorter and shorter periods of time.

2.5 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - ADDRESSING THE PUPPY'S RELUCTANCE TO BE IN THE CRATE
At first, your new dog (or puppy) will not want to go into the crate.

He/she would much rather hang out and play with you.

However, you are going to have to "dispassionate" about this, do this and ignore any whining that the dog may give when initially being placed inside the crate.

You need to remember that you are not being cruel by putting your puppy in the crate.

Your dog will quickly get used to the crate (and will actually get to where he/she likes it) within a couple of days.

In a very short period of time, your dog will begin to view the crate as a nice restful place for him/her to relax and get some uninterrupted sleep.

2.6 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - WHERE (IN THE HOUSE) SHOULD YOU PLACE THE CRATE?

The best location for you to place the crate is "more or less" at the "center of activity" within the home.

This would typically mean in the kitchen or in the den (where the family hangs out and watches TV).

Just because your new dog is being confined to the crate (for potty-training purposes) does not mean that he/she should be isolated from the family.

2.7 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - MAKING YOUR CRATE A PLEASANT PLACE TO BE
You should make the crate a welcome place for your new dog to go to.

Whenever the dog is outside of the crate, the door should be opened.

We would recommend that you place some blankets and some chew toys inside the crate as well.

However, once your dog is inside the crate, the door should be securely shut.

2.8 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - HANDLING MEALS
In general, you should keep a very regular and consistent schedule for the meals for your dog.

This will permit your dog to also follow a regular schedule for "relieving him/herself" and further reduce the likelihood of "accidents" occurring in your home.

3.0 HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR DOG USING CRATE TRAINING - CONCLUSION AND FURTHER READING
You have just gone over a brief overview of the topic of how to potty train your dog using crate training.

However, if you wish to learn much more about Potty Training/Crate Training then I recommend that you click here.

HOW TO START CRATE TRAINING A DOG - THE FIRST DAY?

1.0 HOW TO START CRATE TRAINING A DOG - WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND CAUTION:
In this posting, we are going to answer the frequently asked question of "How to Start Crate Training a Dog"?

The thought of having to potty-train your dog sounds like a terrible and daunting task for the new (and especially first-time) dog owner.

However, if you have a positive attitude and are consistent in following the instructions that are laid below then (before you know it) your new pet will be potty-trained and life with you new dog will be good.

This article is the third of a series of four (4) articles that have been written on the topic of potty-training your dog. These other articles are listed below.

a. Crate Training versus Paper Training - Which is Right for You and Your Dog?
b. How do you Crate Train Your Dog - Beyond the First Day
c. How do you Paper Train your Dog?

I have written this article with the following assumptions.

Assumption # 1: That you have read the article "Crate Training versus Paper Training - Which is Right for You and Your Dog?"

Assumption # 2: That you have determined that "Crate Training" is the best choice for you and your dog.

If you have not read this article or if you have not yet determined that "Crate Training" is the best choice for you and your dog, then I strongly recommend that you click here to read the article "Crate Training versus Paper Training - Which is Right for You and Your Dog?" before proceeding on.

This particular posting (e.g., the one that you are currently reading) discusses the very first things that you should do when you first get your new dog or puppy home.

Before we proceed, you need to remember and be wary of the following "Axiom of Potty Training":

If your dog relieves him/herself inside your home, it will be easier for he or she to do it again. Likewise,

If your dog relieves him/herself outside your home (in the desired location), it will be easier for he or she to do that again as well.

With that said, let us proceed to the lesson at hand.


2.0 HOW TO START CRATE TRAINING A DOG - WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIRST BRING YOUR DOG HOME
When you first bring your new dog home, you are going to need to be prepared to begin with crate training immediately.

So here are some things that you should do BEFORE you even bring your new dog (or puppy) inside your home.


2.1 HOW TO START CRATE TRAINING A DOG - CHOOSE/DESIGNATE AN "OUTDOOR TOILET AREA" FOR YOUR DOG
Prior to you bringing your new dog home, you need to select and "designate" a "toilet area" for your dog to relieve him/herself.

This area should meet the following requirements.
It should be outside
It should be easily accessible from inside your home

Anytime you wish to allow your dog to relieve him/herself, you will need to bring your dog out to this location.


2.2. HOW TO START CRATE TRAINING A DOG - TAKE THE DOG (FROM THE CAR) STRAIGHT TO THE DESIGNATED "TOILET AREA".
When the dog first arrives to your home, he/she is most likely going to need to relieve himself very soon.

The dog will have been through a lot of excitement (between the car ride, new strangers, etc.).

Therefore, before you bring the dog inside (your home) you should take the dog to the designated "toilet" area (outside) RIGHT AWAY!


2.3. HOW TO START CRATE TRAINING A DOG - STEP BACK AND DO NOT PET OR PLAY WITH THE DOG WHILE AT THE "TOILET AREA"
Once you've place the dog in the "toilet-area" (which will typically be a grassy area), you will then need to "step-back" and let the dog "do his/her business".

Let the dog take her time sniffing and smelling the grass around the area. However, it important that you do not play with the dog while he/she is in the "designated toilet area".

If you start to play with the dog in this location, then the dog will start to associate this "location" as being a "play" location and not a toilet location.


2.4. HOW TO START CRATE TRAINING A DOG - GIVE A SHORT AND UNDERSTANDABLE "VERBAL COMMAND" ONCE YOUR DOG ACTUALLY RELIEVES HIMSELF

The instant your dog starts to relieve himself, you should give an audible command (such as "go pee" or "go poo" or whatever works for you).

This command should be short and audible to the dog. The idea behind doing this is to begin the process of getting the dog to associate a verbal command with the act of using the "toilet".

You should use this same command each time you take your dog out to this location.


2.5. HOW TO START CRATE TRAINING A DOG - PRAISE YOUR DOG ONCE HE RELIEVES HIMSELF IN THE CORRECT LOCATION.

You should lavish your dog lots of affection at this time.

I would also recommend that you give your dog a treat (as a reward) as well.

The intent behind this act of lavishing praise, is to encourage this "desired" behavior in your dog.


3.0 HOW TO START CRATE TRAINING A DOG - WHAT TO DO NEXT?
After your dog has relieved him/herself at the "designated" toilet area, then you will need to proceed on with Crate Training (which is discussed in the article "How do you Crate Train Your Dog - Beyond the First Day").

Click here if you would like more detailed information about how to continue on with crate training.

Click here if you would like much more detailed information about both Potty Training and other forms of training for your Dog.

PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG?

1.0 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - INTRODUCTION
In this article, we are going to briefly describe two effective methods of potty-training your dog.

These methods are known as

Crate Training and
Paper Training

Afterwards, we are going to provide you with a guideline (that you can use) to help you decide on the question of "Paper Training Versus Crate Training - Which Method is right for you and your dog.

This post is a first of a series of four (4) posts that will be posted on the subject of "Potty-Training your Dog or Puppy".

The remaining three posts (which are also articles up on Squidoo) are listed below.

a. How Do You Start Crate Training Your Dog - The First Day?
b. How Do You Crate Train Your Dog - After the First Day?
c. How Do You Paper Train Your Dog?

SOME THOUGHTS AND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
The thought of having to potty-train your dog sounds like a terrible and daunting task for the new (and especially first-time) dog owner.

However, if you have a "can-do" attitude and are consistent in following the instructions that are laid out in this series of articles then (before you know it) your new pet will be potty-trained.


2.0 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHAT IS CRATE TRAINING?

In Crate Training, you are operating under two principles.

Principle # 1: That you want your dog to use the "toilet" outside that there is a "designated toilet area" where you would like for the dog to do this, and

Principle # 2: Whenever you do not want your new dog to relieve him/herself, you confine him/her to a small kennel (or crate).

In this case, your dog is to remain in the crate at all times, unless you are in direct supervision of the dog (e.g., while he/she is eating, being groomed or is playing or being petted by you).

This also means that the dog sleeps in the crate as well.

In "Crate Training" you are operating under the theory that "a dog does not like to relieve him/herself wherever he/she sleeps."

Hence, whenever you confine a dog inside the crate the dog will instinctively "hold it" until he/she is let out of the crate - provided you don't leave the dog inside the crate too long.

In other words, by putting your dog in the crate, you are (in essence) controlling when he/she will relieve him/herself.

Whenever you let your dog out of the crate, then you need to quickly take your dog out to the "designated toilet area" (outside) where he/she can relieve himself.


3.0 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHAT IS PAPER TRAINING?

In "Paper Training" you are training your dog to "use the toilet" inside your home but only on newpaper that has been placed on the floor in the "designated toilet area" indoors.

You are having the dog relieve him/herself on newspaper because it is inexpensive, readily available, highly absorbing and can easily be removed and discarded (along with the waste material).

4.0 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHICH FORM OF TRAINING IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG?


Now that you have some idea as to what Paper Training and Crate Training are, we will now give you some guidelines so that you can choose between "crate training versus paper training" for your dog.

4.1 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHEN YOU SHOULD CHOOSE CRATE TRAINING?
You should opts for "Crate Training" if any of the following statements apply to you and your situation.

You have a medium to large size dog
Paper Training is NOT recommended for Medium to Large Size Dogs.

These types of dogs generate entirely too much waste products for your newspaper and you to deal with.

You are able to devote the time required to supervise your new dog (or puppy) during the first few weeks of Potty-Training.
You are able to be around and let your dog out of the crate at 2 to 3 hour intervals, and carefully supervise your dog's activities whenever he/she is out of the crate.

If you think that Crate Training is right for you and your dog, then you can go ahead and get detailed information on how to start Crate Training your dog/puppy by clicking here.


4.2 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHEN YOU SHOULD CHOOSE PAPER TRAINING?
You should opts for "Paper Training" if any of the following statements apply to you and your situation.

If you do NOT have easy access to a yard (or grassy area) from the inside of your home. This would apply if you live in a "High-Rise" Apartment complex, for example.

If it is NOT easy for you to take your dog outside (for other reasons)
This would apply if you are elderly or ill, or have other physical limitations in taking your dog out to an "outside toilet area".

You have a full-time job or some other time-consuming commitment (which you can't get out of) and prohibits you from devoting the time required to supervise your dog for crate training.

You have a small dog.

NOTE: Paper Training is NOT appropriate for Medium to Large Size dogs.

These types of dogs simply generate entirely too much waste product for the newspaper and for you to deal with.

If you believe that "Paper Training" is right for you and your dog, then go ahead and get detailed information on "How to Use Paper Training" by clicking here.


4.3 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - CAN YOU DO BOTH FORMS OF POTTY TRAINING FOR YOUR DOG?
In a word "No". Crate Training and Paper Training are "mutually exclusive" in the sense that (in crate training, you're training yoru dog to "do everything" outside; and in paper training, you are training your dog to do "everything" inside, but on newspaper.)

Further, if you are interested in getting your dog "potty-trained" as quickly as possible (which most dog owners are), then I strongly recommend that you pick one training method and stick with it.

Attempting to train your dog with both methods (at the same time) will result in confusing your dog and will certainly slow the process of getting him/her potty trained.

Hello and Introduction

Hello,
My name is Darrell Smith and this is my first post in this blog.

In this blog, we are going to discuss the following items as they pertain to "Man's Best Friend".

1. House/Potty Training Issues
2. Other Training Issues (How to Heal, Not Bite, Not Chew on Your Items)
3. Health Related Issues (When you should take your Dog to a Vet and When you should permit the Dog to "self-regulate).
4. Any other issues that pertain to living with a Dog.

I look forward to your comments and a lively discussion.

Regards,

Darrell Smith