Help Your Puppy "Make It" Through House Training
If your new puppy is having problems "making it" without messing in his or her crate during the house training period here are a few tips. The goal should be to help your puppy never potty in the crate. The act of messing in the crate reaffirms that it is okay to do their business there. Here is a helpful hint or two that you might find useful.
Make the crate small enough for your new puppy to only turn around and lay down comfortably. It should not be large enough for the little puppy to do it's business and the be able to move away from it. Dogs don't like to sleep where they mess and it will initiate interest in learning to hold and release at a later time.
Create a journal to help determine the rhythm of the puppy. You will soon be trained, thus making you ready to help train the puppy to stretch those timeframes.
When you first approach your puppy when it is arising from a nights sleep or nap don't speak at first. We tend to speak in high pitched tones as we greet our little darlings. This is a very stimulating sound and helps produce the product of "welcome water" in a very wiggly, excited and happy to see you puppy. This is hard to break as the dogs get older and excitement triggers a spontaneous release on your floors and carpets. Save all the wonderful happy tones for after your puppy has gone potty.
Make sure the puppy is given plenty of opportunity to succeed at releasing in the appropriate places. Find a spot in your yard (not next to the steps where most people initially choose) that will not be obnoxious when the puppy is full grown and still going potty there. Example, not near the steps, decks, or an area where you might enjoy eating outside in the summer. Take the puppy to that spot every visit out and quietly wait for results. When results are positive give lots of praise. Here is where you can enjoy those elevated tones to let the puppy know it is so very special and wonderful.
Pick up a baby monitor so you may listen to your puppy during the evening and night. That way when the puppy whimpers to tell you it has to go out to go potty, you will be able to help it be successful. The puppy will be happy and you will be a much happier puppy owner!!