Crate Training your puppy

Crates can be really useful in the first few months of having a new puppy.

A crate is a safe place, like a den, and should be comfortable and welcoming, a place where your puppy will choose to hang out.

Covering the crate can be useful in helping puppy to settle.

Having the radio or television on in the background can also help puppy to settle.

Why use a dog crate for your puppy?

Using a crate helps ensure the pup gets enough rest and sleep, most need about 18 to 20 hours a day, and can help with toilet training.

A crate can help pup settle on their own and learn to be independent.

Having a dog that is able to settle in a crate is also very useful if they need to spend time at the vet’s.

Crates are often used as a safe space for travel.

A dog will settle much more easily and cope with a potentially stressful situation, if they are already happy in a crate.

A dog crate is never used as a punishment.

It’s important to introduce your puppy to the crate in the correct way.

Encouraging pup to enter the crate of their own accord by placing some of their daily food allowance or some treats in the crate will help them understand that it is a good place to be.

You can get puppy used to having the door closed by closing it briefly and rewarding pup well with the door closed and then opening it.

Rewarding when the door is closed helps pup associate the closed door with good things and helps them feel comfortable.

My experience with crate training

Lex, my english springer spaniel, had surgery at 13 months old and, due to complications which occurred after surgery, had a period of crate rest which lasted for 3 months.

Initially, he really did not like the crate at all and we used high value food, mainly chicken, that he really liked, to get him used to the idea.

It was well worth the effort because he was able to settle happily in the crate during his recovery.

We still have the dog crate and he chooses to go in there sometimes to relax and snooze.

Toilet training your puppy

Puppies don’t know about toilet training - we have to show them what we want.

How to toilet train your puppy

The good news is that if you go all in on toilet training you can, in most cases, achieve really good results in 3 weeks.

Remember that very young puppies may not have the neurological ability to control their bladder and bowel until about 12 weeks.

I’m not suggesting that we leave toilet training until then, it just might help understand why some puppies take a little longer to get the idea.

It’s also worth knowing, that in some cases, smaller dogs can take longer to be fully house trained.

What do I have to do to toilet train my puppy?

Probably the single most important factor in achieving a pup who is toilet trained in a short space of time, is for the owner to be really vigilant.

The goal is that our puppy will alert us to when they need to go to the toilet, but to start with, we need to be very observant and offer the pup the opportunity to toilet frequently.

A toilet break is needed after any change of activity, for example, after eating or drinking, after play, and when the pup wakes up from sleeping.

Aside from these times, you might notice little signs that they need to toilet, such as sniffing, spinning and agitation.

When puppy needs to toilet

It is my preference to take my puppy outside in the garden to toilet; I choose a specific area where they can sniff and toilet comfortably.

This is a calm interaction, we don’t want to make it exciting because this will distract the pup from what they need to do.

Likewise, if your pup is running around and playing, it might be good idea to put them on a lead, so they are less distracted.

I add in a verbal cue, I say ‘quickly, quickly’, adding a cue can be really useful later on.

Once they toilet, I reward calmly with a small treat and verbal praise. I wait a few moments before taking pup back inside.

Some clever pups will realise that if you take them straight back inside after toileting, their exploration ends and this may lead them to delay toileting!

Consider where your puppy is when they need to toilet

It’s important to consider where your pup is in the house, as this relates to their activity and the amount of supervision they need and will ultimately effect their success.

If your pup spends time in a crate, they will not need much supervision - they are unlikely to toilet in the crate -you will just need to take pup out after eating or drinking and when they wake from sleeping.

If they are in a puppy pen, they will need more supervision as they have more room to move around and therefore more choice in what they do - they are more likely to toilet in a pen than in a crate.

If the pup has free range in a room or larger part of the house, they will need close supervision as they have more choice about where to go and what to do.

Puppy toilet accidents will happen

There will be accidents, the best thing to do is to soak up the puddle with disposable towels and clean the area with an enzyme cleaner to remove all traces, otherwise the pup is likely to return to the area and soil there again.

There is no benefit to getting upset about accidents, the pup did not do it to upset you, they are not being naughty, they are learning, and with your guidance they will soon be fully toilet trained.

Are you a new or first time puppy owner?

Ginny was my first puppy. She came to us at 11 weeks old. I had wanted a boxer for years, she was literally a dream come true!

I had read up online about what to expect and what equipment I needed. I bought food, a crate and some toys, but I was clueless! I certainly wasn’t prepared for the feelings I had when she arrived. which weren’t dissimilar to how I felt when bringing home a new baby!

Puppy Blues

I didn’t know it at the time but ‘Puppy Blues’ is a thing.  

During the initial weeks, it can feel as if your life has been turned upside down, there’s extra mess to deal with, puppy crying and possibly difficulty settling.

Then there’s anxiety about whether you’re doing things right, depleted physical and emotional energy which can lead to overwhelm.

Add sleep deprivation into the mix and it’s not surprising that some new puppy owners regret getting the puppy.

What to do when you get a new puppy

Hiring a trainer for support during this period, can be a real help, and our Puppy Training Bundle package (2 sessions) is ideal for new puppy owners.

The first session can take place before your puppy comes home, if you wish, and can help with things like setting up the environment and choosing equipment.

If you have no experience of having a puppy this will give you an opportunity to ask questions so that you are better prepared for your new arrival.

If you prefer, the first session can be soon after your puppy comes home.

The second session is usually 2 weeks after the first.

Hopefully by this time, you will be feeling more confident; however, your puppy will be growing and changing, with new challenges to consider.