Training a New Puppy

When it comes to house training, it is generally accepted that crate training is the most effective and efficient means of house training a new puppy in a short period of time. The theory behind this method is that puppies don’t like getting into their own beds and will therefore put up with it until you let them out of their crate. Provided they don’t stay there all day, of course.

Therefore, it’s important to always confine your new puppy to his crate when you can’t supervise him. It’s also important to buy the right size crate for your pup. If you buy a crate that is too big, your pup will have enough room to dirty one end of the crate and use the other end to sleep. This, of course, will defeat the purpose of crate training entirely. On the other hand, if you buy a crate that barely has any extra space, your pup will soon outgrow it and you’ll have to buy another one.

The best thing to do is to buy a cage that your puppy can grow in as this will be the most cost effective. To keep the larger cage at a more appropriate puppy size, reduce the internal size of the cage by inserting a wire rack or board. Now your puppy crate is the perfect size for your pup and as he grows you can remove the insert and have a larger crate to better accommodate your adult dog.

The basic principles of box training are simple: Your puppy is kept in its cage. at all times unless you are eating, outside, or under your active supervision. If you are not consistent with this, box training will not work.

For example: You decide to let your puppy out of the crate while you clean up the living room. Then you realize that your puppy had ‘an accident’. Whose fault is it? Obviously it’s your fault. You weren’t supervising your pup, you were dusting. Active supervision means focusing your all the attention on your pup and nothing else.

If you allow your puppy free access to the rooms of your house before he is fully house trained, you are basically allowing him to relieve himself inside your house. And every time he does it, it will be that much easier for her to do it over and over again. So be consistent and follow the guidelines.

The easiest way to stay on track is to make a schedule. Here is a sample cage training program for success:

• Awake. Take the puppy outside to the bathroom
• Eat breakfast
• Take the puppy outside to the bathroom again
• Play and cuddle with the puppy for an hour.
• Take the puppy outside to the bathroom again
• Put the puppy in the crate for a nap
• Once the puppy wakes up, take him outside to the bathroom.
• to have lunch
• Take the puppy outside to the bathroom
• More game time!
• Another break to go to the bathroom and so on throughout the day.

It usually takes a month or two to have your pup fully trained, that is if you are consistent in your training. Important tip: Always remember to praise your puppy when he relieves himself outside.