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Crate
Training
The
most important thing is to make your puppy's crate a place that
he/she likes. Never use a crate as punishment. I normally give a
treat when I first put the puppy in the crate and have their favorite
"blankie" and toy's in there also. I have also found that
putting a quilt or sheet (depending on the weather) over the crate
(leaving just the door side open up to allow the baby to see out,
and you see in), making it more "cave" like, which is
a natural environment for a dog. I think it makes them feel more
"secure" and "homey" for them.
The
first that I see the baby waking up from a nap, he/she is out the
door to pottie. Then it's feeding time and within 15 minutes, back
out the door for another pottie time. An hour or so after play time
(depending on the age of the puppy), I take the baby and back outside
for one last "pottie" trip before back to bed for another
nap. I continuously repeat these steps till he/she gets the idea
that pottie is outside..Be sure to really "praise" the
baby after he/she "tinkles" or "poops", and
reward with treats.
A
puppy really doesn't quite understand all this until he is 10 to
12 weeks old and sometimes even older. Consistancy and rewards eventually
makes the puppy understand what inside and outside is for. It takes
time and alot of keeping one eye open but he/she will catch on...Whatever
you do...PLEASE, NEVER USE A CRATE AS PUNISHMENT !!!!!!!
If
you have an area that you can enclose with a little paddock fence
right off your back door, put the fence up and put the crate door
facing out the door (leave the crate door open) so the puppy has
access to the outside fenced in area but can also go into his/her
crate to sleep. I push my crate up to the sliding glass door, pull
the door into the side of the crate and the puppy can go in an out
as he/she wants. They train themselves..but of course this can only
be done weather permitting!
Make
sure you buy the right size cage. You want one that has the floor
space that provides just enough for the puppy to lie down. But cages
are useful throughout a dog's life and it would be nice if you didn't
have to keep buying more as it grows. That isn't necessary. Simply
purchase one that will be big enough for it as an adult but choose
a model that comes with or has a divider panel as an accessory.
With these you can adjust the position of the panel so that the
space inside the cage available to the pet can grow as it does.
Using
too large of a crate can often cause long term problems. The puppy
will go to one corner of the cage and urinate or defecate. After
a while, it will then run through it tracking it all over the cage.
If this is allowed to continue, the instincts about not soiling
its bed or laying in the mess will be forgotten and the puppy will
soon be doing it every day when placed in the crate. Now a housebreaking
method has turned into a behavioral problem as the puppy's newly
formed hygienic habits becomes its way of life.
House
Training
If
you want housebreaking to go quickly, regardless of the method you
use, spend as much time as possible with your puppy.
The
Rules
Housebreaking
Rule Number One: This is The Most Important Rule If you don't
catch your puppy doing it then don't punish him for it!
Housebreaking
Rule Number Two: Praise your puppy when things go right. Don't let
this be a situation where your only action is saying "No"
when they are caught in the midst of using the wrong area. If they
do it right, let them know!
House
training your puppy begins with a good feeding and watering routine.
Establish set times for eating from the beginning. A young
dog needs to eat several times a day so this means that he will
also need to eliminate several times daily.
Feedings
should be scheduled whenever someone will be home to allow your
puppy to the proper elimination location.
Your
puppy will most likely elimate within 10-20 minutes after eating.
Your housetraining will be most successful if you can take your
puppy outside at these times.
The
focus on housetraining should then be to teaching your puppy where
to go. With encouragement, your puppy should soon learn that
where to go is outside.
INSIDE
THE HOME:
Supervision
and confinement are the two most improtatnt tools in successful
housetraining. Keep him in the room with you, using a leash
if necessary to prevent him from wondering off.
When
you notice restlessness or whining hustle him outside. If
you cannot supervise your puppy, confinement may be necessary.
Try using child gates or a dog crate. Dont confine the puppy
so frequently that it feels isolated. A puppy is a socialble
animal and needs to be with people or other pets.
GOING
OUTSIDE:
When
you take your pet outside, you need to let him know what he is supposed
do. Taking him ot the same door and to the same location is
helpful. Use a key phrase to encourage him. When he
actually begins to eliminate, praise profusely!!!!!!! Once
he has elimated, it is time to play!!! Reward, praise and encourage
him will go along ways if you take the time to continue doing it.
Bulldog
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