A question about CRATE TRAINING for puppies …?
Posted on November 24th, 2009 by admin
Hi, i’m getting a standard smooth haired black and tan female dachshund very soon and am trying to find out the best ways to raise her.
I’ve done a lot of research on how to crate train eetc but I was wondering could you please answer these few questions below!
I would really appreciate some good advice!
1) What is the longest time a puppy can be in the crate hile you’re out
- while you’re not there to take her out for wee’s and poo’s
(I won’t ever be out for too long while she’s little)
2) When exactly should I put her in the crate?
- at night, while i’m out, at random times in the day?
3) Where should i put the crate at night?
- in my room, in the kitchen, or can she sleep on my bed..?
Thankyou so much, really appreciate it!
Congrats. I’m getting a new pup in the New Year that I’ve been waiting 12 years for, so I know how exciting this is. But I’m had literally dozens of other dogs, so here you go.
1) The general rule of thumb is one hour for each month of age: 2 months old can be crated for two hours at a time, 3 months old for three hours, etc, but the rule doesn’t last long because its not recommended to leave dogs in a crate for more than four hours at a time without a potty break and some time to stretch their legs. I have been known under dire circumstance to leave my much older puppies or young dogs crated for up to six hours but I hate to do it. This does not apply at night. Puppy should need to go out once or twice for a week or two at night but should taper off unless she is sick and has diarrhea or something (which is common in the babies). She should be able to stay in the crate for 7-8 hours at night within a month at the longest and probably closer to two weeks.
2) While you are housebreaking Ms. Puppy you should crate her when you are out, when you are at home and can’t watch her and at night (since this falls under #2- can’t watch her). When she is house trained and you know she won’t use your floor as a restroom when you’re not looking, she’s probably ready for a little more freedom but not too much yet as she can still cause trouble as baby: eat things she shouldn’t, get into things she shouldn’t, etc. Chances are puppy will need to be crated while you are out for quite some time. In my extensive experience with dogs, I haven’t let anyone younger than a year old stay loose while home alone. Once she is reliably house trained or at least can sleep through the night without needing to go out, she can sleep in your bed as long as she’s a cuddler and not a wanderer. If she gets up and wanders, she is likely to have an accident if she’s not 100% house trained yet.
3) It’s better for puppy’s behavior and intelligence for her to sleep in your room, in a crate as baby. If those first few nights she’s just not letting you sleep and you really need some rest, put her far away from your room, but bring her in as soon as you can. Dogs are social animals and will always be better behaved with proper socialization and interaction. See above question for when she can sleep on the bed 
It’s really difficult to make generalizations. Just like us all puppies are different but you’re looking at about two months to get a puppy completely reliably house trained and at least ten months before puppy should be left loose when home alone- both these numbers are assuming puppy is eight weeks old when you bring her home. It’s certainly can be shorter with a fast learning pup or longer with poor training or a slower learner. I do want to say as a caution that my experience has been with larger breeds and generally smaller breeds mature and learn a little slower.
Get Video training on the best methods to Crate training a Dog
Zamzows Pet Room Manager Katie Copple discusses Potty Training Puppies. Potty Training should start immediately when you bring your new puppy home. Both the Wee Wee Pad and the Pee Post can be purchased online at www.zamzows.com. If you have any questions about Potty Trainiing puppies, contact us at zamzows@zamzows.com
How crate training can help reduce separation anxiety. More on www.eukanuba.com
http://www.dogbehavioronline.com/members/120.cfm for free dog aggression training tips and videos. You’ll find it easy training dogs to stop being aggressive with these methods.