How did ya'll do it??

[frggystyln]

Hi everyone! My boy "K" is about 14 weeks now. We've been crating him to housebreak him but it's not working well. He'll tell me sometimes that he has to go, but other times he just goes w/ no warning. I know it takes 4 months until they have full control over there bladder--but he's almost four months!!
Plus, sometimes he will "go" in his crate which defeats the whole crating purpose right?!? It's frustrating--ya know. How long did it take until your dogs were housebroken? And, how did you do it? Am I doing something wrong?
He's never in the crate longer then 6 hrs (thats when we're sleeping).

Help Needed!

[Vivianne]

Hi frggystyln,

I not only used the crate, but most importantly I had and strictly followed a potty schedule.

All pups are different and to think that he will hold it for hours just because he's 4 months is not how I would approached it.

When he's in the crate take him out when he let's you know obviously. You know you're boy and his habits best, so I would suggest taking him out every 2 to 3 hours and gradually build up from there.

They don't potty in there crate out of spite; he just couldn't hold it anymore. So if you set him up to dislike going in his crate by giving him an alternative to hold it for less time you'll get better success.

[New NJ Mom]

Is the crate to big? If there is to much room your pup will use one end for a bathroom and the other end to sleep.

[LORHEL]

Do you have him on a strict potty schedule, at this point either once an hour at the same time, or maybe he can go two hours now... also at night, be sure to cut off all water early, a couple hours before bedtime...that made a big difference...

He can have water first thing in the morning, but cut it off at nitetime....he may still have to go during the nite, maybe once, but it shouldn't be quite as bad...it gets better.

[Sansano]

You may want to learn how to search the archives as this topic has been discussed many times. Here is what is probably the best one I have seen. Good luck with Killer :

Mickl Trainers Tilet Training For Puppies

[frggystyln]

The crate is pretty big--never thought of that! His schedule goes like this---6:30 am-- 15 minutes potty time then food & water--to crate---12:00--potty & food & water---4:00---potty. play---potty---then it goes down hill from there! All advice and suggestions and comments are appreciated--thanks

[Sansano]

Originally posted by frggystyln
The crate is pretty big--never thought of that!

You never thought of this? This is one first things explained in proper crate training. Haven't you read anything on the net or in books on crate training? Please take the times to do some research on this stuff. It's explained very well in many, many places all over the net. Good luck with Killer.

[Major]

Lets leave the "name" issues out of this and help the puppy.

[austin]

It does sound like he is in the crate for too long. As far as crates go, you can find some that have a divider that you can move out as the dog grows. I used one and it worked really well for us. Also, make sure you wash the area that he had his accident in with an pet odor neutralizer.

[frggystyln]

I like the divider idea--I'll have to search for that. We are putting up arunner and dog house this weekend. 4 hours is too long in the crate? I did wash and deoderize the crate to hopefully prevent it again, but another accident. Thanks for your advice

[frggystyln]

I printed it out.

[LORHEL]

What about the cutting off of water after a certain time in the evening, are you doing that? Also, you can put a piece of cardboard to divide the crate until he gets bigger...

Also, what is the four hours he is being crated? Is that when the accidents happen? At nite or day? Please explain

[frggystyln]

I've been weary on cutting off water--he drinks massive amounts of water and when his bowl is empty he'll carry it around and make funny noises. But, if that is what I HAVE to do then I guess I will. I realy can't pinpoint when he has his mistakes, the 2 sets of 4 hours is when I'm at work. He'll probably eat the cardboard if I do that.

[Judi W]

Also, please note, that mother nature decrees potty after eating not before although potty immediately after waking is a must also. Eating stimulates the potty impluse from birth, mom cleans the butts for potty time after she feeds the babes. Take advantage of this early impulse and follow mom's routine.

[LORHEL]

I've been weary on cutting off water--he drinks massive amounts of water and when his bowl is empty he'll carry it around and make funny noises

That's okay, say he goes to be at 10pm,.. cut it off at 7 or 8...he can bang the dish against the crate like a prisoner but he won't get any till morning...:p

I am just joking on that, serious, that may help and he's not going to die without the water overnite... he'll learn the routine...and when he gets older, it won't be so bad.

As for the cardboard, I forgot about chewing...maybe something a bit stronger..:D