Crate training your new puppy

Crate training is very effective. To do this, you need to buy a crate. I like metal crates from Midwest. It is usually recommended that you get a crate that will fit the dog when he is an adult. It is essential though that you block off much of the crate using dividers that are sold for this purpose or with boxes such that the puppy has only enough room to lie down in the crate.

The crate should have a nice washable soft pad and a safe toy and/or small towel bunched up. There are many good books that detail crate training, but basically, until the puppy is trustably trained to go outside, he should be in the crate whenever you cannot closely supervise him. Keep in mind though that this should not exceed two-three consecutive hours unless it is overnight.

To housebreak the dog using crate training:

• Take the puppy out to the same spot on a leash shortly after eating or drinking. The time period will vary depending on your dog and the food he's eating. Try to keep him on a schedule of eating and drinking so he and you develop predictable routines. I'm currently housebreaking a new puppy who tends to urinate about 45 minutes after drinking and does the rest about an hour or so after eating his kibble. He's 20 weeks and rings a bell to go outside, but I'm still very vigilant about taking him out on schedule and watching him.
  
  
• Take the puppy out to his spot shortly after playing or having a chew toy for a bit. Also, be alert and take him out any time you see him sniffing the floor a lot or circling and other behaviors that you will come to associate with your pups need to go outside.
  
  
• Develop some cue for the dog to let you know when he needs to go outside, attach a phrase to fit, and reward the dog with lots of praise when he uses it. Similarly, when the dog is preparing to go, sniffing back and forth, use a voice command such as "hurry up" said softly so eventually he will go on command. As he begins to do his business, praise him lavishly. When he finishes, give him a small treat. Then, take him inside for some play time. Don't let him frolic outside until he's fully trained because you want him to associate outside with house training.
  
  
• Do not punish the puppy for accidents as these are the fault of the owner for not watching him properly. Quietly clean up (using a product like Nature's Miracle) and resolve to watch him more carefully in the future.
  
  
• At first, the puppy should be crated anytime you cannot directly supervise him. Gradually, time outside the crate can be increased as can letting the pup into various areas of your house. We start with the crate and the kitchen, and move to the playpen which is in the family room, to the family room and so on as our pups develop control and know the difference between outside and the rest of their new "den."