- Make sure that your pup has recently relieved before putting your puppy in the crate.
- Immediately carry your puppy to its bathroom spot when you take it out of the crate. Carrying it is important for young pups as they tend to let it go as soon as they feel the floor outside their crate. They won’t if they are being carried. Don’t forget to lavishly praise your pup when it goes.
Scheduling Your Pup’s Crate and Toilet Timing
You must crate your puppy around its regular toilet time.
Feed your puppy on a regular schedule to predict when it needs to eliminate.Once you have tracked your pup’s toilet pattern you can easily know when to take it to the designated bathroom spot.
Crate Your Pup before Its Toilet Time
Depending on your pup’s size and age, you can put it in the crate 15-20 minutes before your pup’s routine bathroom time. Your puppy will usually be ready to go on schedule.
If your dog does not go, return your puppy to the crate for 5-15 minutes, and then try again. Repeat this process until it eliminates. Don’t forget to praise your pup when it does a good job.
- Do not leave your puppy in the bathroom area. It must have positive reinforcement for a good job.
- Be patient. It will take time for your pup to understand what you are teaching it. If you bring your puppy back inside the house too soon, it may make an accident.
- Do not give your puppy too many treats. It can fool its digestive system and your ability to calculate the potty break.
- Do not scream, throw things, or yell at your pup if you see that it starts to go. The best way is to startle it by making a loud sound or clapping. Immediately carry your puppy to the designated bathroom spot. Wait until it goes
You can enjoy supervised playtime after your pup has done its business.
What to Do When You Are Busy
The key to crate training is supervision. If you can’t give your pup undivided attention for any reason, such as when you are on the phone or taking a bath, you must briefly put your puppy in the crate.
If you get too preoccupied, your pup may sneak off to empty in an undesignated bathroom spot, or worse, your puppy will eliminate where it stands. This can set back your training.
Barking Inside the Crate
If your pup cries incessantly inside its crate, it could be that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, anxious about being alone, or crated too soon.Do not take your pup out of the crate if it cries or barks, this will teach your puppy to make more noise if it wants to go out to eliminate.Your dog may just need more exercise, or you may not have given your pup enough attention. Increase your playtime or the amount of exercise.