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Crate Training
Basics
Crate/DenPuppies naturally seek out a place for sanctuary and seclusion. Puppies are clean, and do not want to soil their beds. The crate training process works because of their natural instinct for cleanliness. Keep the crate clean and cuddly; give the puppy a few toys to occupy his time. Initiation of the Crate When
the puppy initially experiences the crate, it is foreign, and he is
alone. Up until now, he
has been sleeping with his siblings. He needs practice sessions to
build his confidence and learn to love his new security and sanctuary:
his crate. Please
follow these rules:
Start
with 10 minutes, and build up to 15-30 minutes each hour.
This rest is needed and required.
The first experience in a crate should NOT be bedtime.
If you get possession of your puppy in the evening, you should
stay up late, and allow your puppy several practice sessions before
bedtime, and things will go much smoother for all.
Your
puppy’s crate should be kept away from noise and distractions. Leave
the room, and do NOT return for any reason.
Do
not respond to your puppy’s protests at being locked in the crate
(just ignore it). If you
return to the crate when the puppy is protesting, he thinks he has
trained you to come when he wails, rather than you training him.
This is not good.
Praise him for being quiet, and say “OUTSIDE.” Away you go; do not Pause! Go immediately outdoors.
No
exceptions; no lap naps, or floor naps.
Good rest is achieved in the puppy’s own bed happily.
Puppies
can usually make it 7-8 hours during the night with no accidents,
after a few days of routine. The early-bird of the family needs to
wake the puppy up and get him outside first thing in the morning.
Do NOT allow puppy to wait in the crate. If he is up on his
feet, and awake, he needs to go OUTSIDE. If
this is earlier than your normal time to get up in the morning, sorry,
but you’ll have to get up. It is most critical that he be given
immediate attention to insure that he does not soil his bed while
waiting for someone to help him.
Bladder control is weak at this age--if the puppy is forced to
go in his crate, a bad habit will begin. The puppy should NOT be
blamed for this action. Please be attentive; have the puppy close
enough to hear any restless behavior or communication in the morning.
Success
is preventing mistakes. Getting
off to a good start, *Routine and Discipline All
puppies respond to routine, and love praise. Your routine must be
rigid at first, then you can loosen up; ONLY after all goes well for
several days. The number
one mistake made, is loose training, or free time too soon. You must
require all naps occur in the crate.
Puppies should rest in crate for 15-30 minutes each hour, go
OUTSIDE, then PLAYTIME, and then CRATE TIME.
This routine should be performed over and over, all day long.
Advance to longer playtimes ONLY after several days of no
mistakes. Never leave a puppy free to roam the entire house. Confine
him to the kitchen, gated for playtime.
Praise him when he does well. Mistakes
Seen in Progress When
your puppy makes a mistake in his crate, or on the floor, Sharply say
“OUTSIDE,” carry him out with NO happy talk.
Make sure you are NOT allowing too much playtime.
Go back to a little tighter schedule, if you’ve become too
loose with his schedule. Watch
for body language; ask him “OUTSIDE?” more frequently, and GO. IF
mistakes continue, use more drastic discipline; he has to know you are
not happy. Use a rolled
newspaper (do this in advance and have handy), and smack the floor
loudly next to him. Say
“OUTSIDE” and “go.” No
happy talk; praise IF he completes the job outdoors; skip playtime. How
Long does this Take? By
4 months, most puppies can be allowed in the kitchen (gated) for
up to 4 hours. Try
leaving your puppy for an hour at a time, then work up to 4 hours, as
trust is gained. if
mistakes occur, go back to more rigid training—he is not ready.
Always leave the crate available with the door off, for naps.
Puppies love their crate—it’s sanctuary and security. Working FamiliesMost of us have jobs and lots of responsibility. Do not become discouraged! Housebreaking CAN be accomplished. Be imaginative & create methods that enable your busy family to enjoy the ownership of a puppy without losing ground in training. Are You Gone More Than 4 Hours?Rule
#1: (Most
important) If you are gone from home for more than 4 hours, the crate
is NOT the correct location for confinement and safekeeping during
that long of time span. Use
“Crate Training Basics” as a guideline for days off, and
evenings...when you are available...Please do NOT leave a puppy
in a crate for more than
4 hours! This is a miserable atmosphere
for a happy, clean, bouncy, energetic puppy, to endure.
IF he has to make the choice to soil his clean bed, he will be
depressed, and will quickly lose his instinctive desire to stay clean.
there are alternatives Here are some ideas:
A location has to be decided on, where the puppy can have food, water, his crate (door off), and an acceptable location to use for his bathroom. The usual location of choice is a tiled or linoleum floor (a kitchen or bathroom would be fine). If gating is possible to prevent access to other rooms, this is required. if not please investigate playpens and exercise pens available for your kitchen floor.
Puppy
pads are sold in all pet departments.
These are thin paper-like disposable sheets (no odor), with a
scent dogs/puppies is attracted to, and uses. Start with several
covering a large area, then only use one.
Newspapers can be used in the same manner as above; start with a large area, and reduce the size gradually.
Plastic storage boxes, under the bed style, with low sides, can be used successfully, as liner pans, for either newspapers or puppy pads. Start on the floor, when the location is being used regularly, start putting papers in the liner, place puppy in the box to get him started.
Odor
neutralizers are necessary to eliminate any smell, and so that the
puppy’s crate and your floors can be cleaned completely. FEBREZE
works great.
Equipment/Play-Pens/Play-Yards Play-Pens
Many
options are available, in metal light-weight foldable variations.
These are great for open-style kitchens, with no way of gating.
They range in price from $50.00 - $100.00.
We can help you order. Play-Yards
There are many variations of these also available. They are a real deal for families with no fenced areas; they are lightweight, attractive, and come in all sizes. They are great for freedom of exercise with no supervision. While you are getting ready for work, or the kids ready for school, the puppy is playing and getting exercise. We can help you order. No tools are required; just unfold and use. Dog
Doors
Dog
doors are very handy to fenced areas, and can be installed by almost
any handy man. Some are
put in the actual door, or an outside wall.
This allows the puppy freedom to go outdoors to a fenced area
when he needs to, if you are gone long hours, without having to use
newspapers. R.C.
Steele is a pet catalog with many different supplies
available. To shop
online, visit: www.rcsteele.com,
or call for a catalog at: 1-800-872-3773 Some people believe Bichons are difficult to housetrain. Here's an excerpt from an email we received from one of our Bichon's parents. . .
Phone: (573) 369-2983 Email: Joy@BichonFrise.US
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