Crate Training
It is important to crate train your new puppy. Crates help keep your puppy and home safe when you cannot watch your puppy. Crates allow for safe travel. In case of emergency, your dog will be required to stay in a crate. Crate training prevents anxiety if the dog ever has to be crated at the vet for example.
Crate Training Tips:
- Make the crate a happy fun place by feeding your puppy in the crate and letting him rest after meals for 15-30 minutes afterward.
- Encourage your puppy to go in the crate by tossing high value treats inside so the puppy goes in willingly.
- Do not let your puppy out when he fussed and barks unless you are sure he needs to go potty. Make sure to potty the puppy before placing him in the crate. Rewarding your puppy by letting him out when he cries will increase the time needed for crate training.
- Until your puppy proves reliable with bedding, do not place beds or crate pads inside the crate. Puppies and young dogs will destroy bedding - this is a choking and obstruction risk as well.
Potty Training
Consistency and patience are crucial when potty training your new puppy.
A general rule to how long your puppy can hold it is:
(How many months old)+1
For example, if your puppy is 3 months old, he can hold it for 4 hours before needing a potty break.
Tips for potty training:
A general rule to how long your puppy can hold it is:
(How many months old)+1
For example, if your puppy is 3 months old, he can hold it for 4 hours before needing a potty break.
Tips for potty training:
- Watch for the signs your puppy needs to go out. Circling an area, staring at you intently, pacing, walking repeatedly to the door, suddenly disappearing from your vicinity, sniffing the ground, and whining are all signs your puppy might need to go out for a potty break.
- Puppies generally need to go out right after coming out of the crate, upon waking up, after a big play session, and about an hour after eating or drinking a lot.
- Take up water about 2 hours before bedtime to prevent frequent overnight potty breaks.
- If your puppy has an accident inside, be sure to thoroughly clean up the mess. Use an enzymatic cleaner like Simple Solution or Nature’s Miracle to make sure the organic molecules are completed cleaned up and broken down. The scent from a previous accident will encourage your puppy to go inside again.