Crate Training

[Henrys Mom]

Ok, so we have our little guy, Mason home! Before you ask for pictures I have to figure out how to get them on here!! It's been so long since I posted pictures I forgot how! I think I have to upload them to a site so I will do that soon so you can see how precious he is.

I could use some advice and a refresher course on crate training. I don't remember Henry being difficult at all! Mason seems to hate his crate! I leave it open and give him toys and treats so he can go in and out to get used to it, but once the door is closed he seems to hate it. He whines and has either pooped or peed in the crate every time. I take him out all the time and yet within the first few minutes of being put in the crate he goes to the bathroom. I do not want this to become a habit and I'm not sure how to break him of this. I know he is young and I do not leave him in for very long.

At night I put him in and the first 2 nights I sat downstairs with him and he whined and would not settle. Finally did but if he woke up and saw me would cry so last night I left him downstairs and went up. He whined less, but still does not seem to like it at all.

He also seems to potty just anywhere! I take him out literally every 45 minutes to an hour and yet he still has accidents in the house. He goes when he is outside and I praise and praise with good boy and yeah!!!! I am sooo enthusiastic!!! We can come in and sometimes within 15 minutes he will pee. I figure I must be doing something wrong so I am asking for advice! I have been reading all I can on crate training, but personal advice seems to be the best.

I really want him crate trained because Henry was and it just made everything easier. He was safe, my house was safe and it just worked really well. I want Mason to love his crate!

I forgot how much work a puppy is. A LOT OF WORK!!! No sleep and constant out and in. Play time, eat time, potty time. I feel old! Lsdt time I had a puppy was 9 years ago! I want to do the best for him so he is a good dog.

Oh...what kind of treats do you give your pup for praise? Any kind? I have these bacony things but they seem to not agree with him. Any certain kind you use for a puppy?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and help!

 

[lacey9875]

I cannot wait until you figure out pictures!!!

I had almost 14 years between puppies-I forgot too! Thank goodness I had some time off from work when I got Maggie, I don't know how I would have survived.

I'm sure he'll get used to his crate, it takes a few days. Is it too big? That might be why he's going potty in it. I wouldn't take him out until he stops making a fuss, or he'll quickly realize that means he gets out. I hate to tell you this, but Maggie hated her crate. I slept downstairs with her for about 4 months and she was uncrated and fine, and then I moved her to the kitchen and gated her in and she was fine. Also, remember he went from his big furry family to this new house with all these new smells.

Maggie was a little difficult ( to me ) to housebreak. I'd take her out and she would go, then we'd come in and play and she'd suddenly stop and squat. The hardest part was making her realize going outside was to first go potty, then play. Try to use the same command, and when he goes start the Happy Potty Dance. Puppies are hard when you're not used to them, it's like you're both being trained!

 

[Kay]

We are using two crates for Nicky - one downstairs (where she is when we're at work) and one upstairs (where she is overnight). I've found that a kong with a little peanut butter makes her more than happy to go into her downstairs crate everytime. The command I use is "go to bed". I also pretty much ignore her when she is in her crate ... if I was to sit and look at her I do think she would get wound up. Now she plays with a toy or takes a nap as she's being left alone. Originally I was using a smaller crate upstairs (a travel crate for our lab) but when she got bigger we moved a 42" crate upstairs and got a 48" crate for downstairs. She likes to sleep all stretched out so I suspect that's why a larger size for her hasn't been a problem (plus they grow so fast it really isn't that huge anymore).

It sounds like you're doing this already, but our breeder's advice for potty training was: If they've eaten, take them out. If it's been a little while, take them out. If they just woke up, take them out. If you've just played with them for a bit, take them out. It's a lot of back and forth initially but she's done really well.

For training, I really like these treats I got at PetPeople called "Mini Naturals". They are very small, moist treats and I got the peanut butter flavored ones (because peanut butter makes everything better!) Our breeder had originally recommended Bill Jack I think it is. The key is small and moist, just a little taste of something.

 

[Ohana Mom]

Welcome back to puppyhood - it's a wonderful and frustrating time.
Here are a few tips for you...
- make sure the crate isn't too big. You can put a divider in it to make it smaller for now and then he will grow into it.
- feed him in his crate a few times. Give him his breakfast or dinner and close the door. Get him used to thinking good things happen here with the door closed.
- put a fan near the crate. The noise and the soft breeze seem to help lull them to sleep
- no water after 7pm until he is a bit older and can hold it
- don't sleep near the crate. If he can see you - he will cry
- no towels in the crate, sometimes (don't know why) they pee on them
- how often is he in the crate? Assuming at night - but what else is your routine?

For house training - I believe if you don't look like an idiot, you're not doing it right . First of all, if your baby is awake and is playing, he may need to go more frequently than you are taking him out. Also, when you go out, put a leash on him. This is important. When outside,
use your potty word - we say "potty". This routine will establish - this is time to "work" not play. In other words, his job is to go potty right now, not to play. When he potties - LOTS of praise. Treats are okay - but not every time. Newfs are smart and he will soon learn that outside means treats if you use them every time and he will quickly start to just ask to go out A Lot if he knows treats are part of the deal.
Then inside, you need to really watch for his signals. The minute he starts to sniff or act like he's going to pee, say "NO" really loud grab your baby and run outside. Once outside as he continues, praise like crazy!!! You don't want to scold for pottying inside - by yelling "No" you will probably startle him and he may stop mid-stream. The goal is to get him to associate your praise with pottying outside.
One thing I noticed with all of them. It seems to go really well, and then all of a sudden they seem to go backwards and become little pee machines and then poof, they are house broken. It's like that last day is really rough, and then you are over the hump.
Hope this helps

 

[Bojie]

Isn't it such a wake up call after youre used to an adult Newf for so long and then you get a puppy!?! You'll get used to it all over again. Everyone will have their suggestions but I highly recommend the book "The art of raising a puppy" by the Monks of new skeete. I used this with Bojie and re read it when we got Riggs. Number one rule for the crate, use the divider to only allow enough space to stand get up and turn around in. Also, feed your puppy in the crate, all three meals and let him out as soon as hes done. He'll begin to relate the crate to good things, like food! You can fill a kong up with some kibble and frozen water, or some frozen peanut butter and give it to him only while he's on his crate. Have a bunch of chew toys in there as well. Dogs like to sleep with their people, so you might want to move the crate to your bedroom. We also covered the crate with a blanket to make it feel more like a den for them. It will all come back to you and it will get easier. Remember to stop water at least two hours prior to bedtime so you can be sure his bladder is empty by the time he's ready to go to sleep but you can still expect him to have to go out at least once through the night. The first week, take him out even every hour to get used to eliminating outside and lots and lots of praise. You can put a word to it too, which will eventually make him go on command. It will get easier! I promise!

 

[Sheila B.]

You've been given wonderful advice and I just want to wish you best luck. The process is time consuming in the beginning, but it WILL work.

 

[Henrys Mom]

You guys really are the best! New puppies are hard work! He is busy, busy, busy! I am going to take all of these suggestions. His crate has a box in it to act as a divider, but it doesn't go to the top so he can put his front paws on it. I am going to change that ASAP! I think it might be giving him too much room.

He almost pooped in the house but I caught him and rushed him outside so hopefully everything will connect soon! I do not give treats outside. I only give praise in a high voice! Kids think I'm crazy but I make them do it too!!! I am going to out him on a leash because he loves to get sticks and carry them around! Its super cute but not when he needs to go potty!!

The good thing is he went in his crate for a kittle just now and settled down and slept for a little bit. Gotta go. He's awake! Thanks! I'll be back!

 

[Bojie]

As for treats, your choices are limitless. I suggest soft treats. It's easier for them to chew and swallow. Zukes sells soft training treats, buffalo blue sells soft treats, you'll see a bunch at the store. You can use hard cookies if you want for when he goes in the crate. Oh! And for long lasting chew treats, bully sticks saved my life and sams yams sweet potato chews are fantastic. As with any treats, just watch him while he eats. The bully sticks will keep him occupied for long periods of time. Also, I love this age because they love ice cubes. Free and easy! Enroll in a puppy kindergarten class too, it not only helps your pup, but it also makes you realize you're not alone! Everyone in that class is experiencing the same anxiety, and frustrations, and joys. For classes like that I bring at least three different types of treats ranging from mozz string cheese, meatballs, and even liver treats. When Riggs first started eliminating outside he got three (tiny) pieces of liver with LOTS of praise our word is hurry up so I'd just repeat repeat repeat, hurry up, hurry up and then when he urinated, "Good hurry up!"clapping praising and treats! It made him housebroken almost immediately. My neighbors don't look at me the same, but it works

 

[Garden_girl]

I hope I'm not repeating anything said previously. When I was potty training Moby (just turned 6 months old) I took him out on a leash to potty. He knew I meant business and we weren't outdoors for play time. I have a fenced yard, so could easily just walk out with him, but I didn't. I did treat, but you have to be fast with the treat & praise. It takes a dog only 3-5 seconds to forget his last action, if you're late with the treat, he won't understand why he's being treated. I buy tubes of Natural Balance and cut it up into very small pieces. It smells yummy to a dog.

I think crate training is so important for so many reasons. The only thing I will mention....when crate training, you go to open the door to let him out-no praise, no treats. That makes the 'exit' from the crate the event, and encourages your pup to want to get out of the crate. It's only natural to want to tell him good boy for staying in his crate, but it should just be matter of fact - you can get out now without saying a word. I do treat and praise for going 'in' the crate. I also drop kibble into the crate on occasion, while he's staying in there quietly. He never knows when something good might happen while he's in his crate. Think 'Bones Would Rain From the Sky', every dog's dream, lol.

Cant wait to see pics! Congratulations! Mason was one of the call names I had picked for Moby (he just wasn't a Mason) and his registered name was to be KN's 'Thick as a Brick'. LOL, he just wasn't thick!

 

[rhoward]

We were very fortunate with Sadie. She took to it very well at 8 weeks. The advice given is great. Our 48" crate came with a divider so we could keep Sadie snug as a bug at first and slowly move it back as shot got bigger. We also put a sheet over it at night with my jacket on top. Today there is no divider. Just toys and a towel pushed to the side. This is her room for eating, drinking, napping and sleeping.

 

[jacqueline]

i cannot top the advice you have already been given , so congratulations on your new fur baby , i look forward to pics of the little guy ,
jacqui,x

 

[tigerfan90]

Just want to say ... I'm with ya on forgetting how much work puppies can be ... mine hates the crate too. Based on some great advice you got on this thread, we're going to switch up some of our crate routine. Great pottying advice too ... I read your post and thought man, I could have written that same exact post myself ... It's so confusing when he pees inside after JUST peeing outside! agghh ... he's keeping us on our toes. Happy to see your thread ... got to reap the rewards of the good advice here!

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I have been thinking of you Sallie and your new little boy! I am glad he is home now with you. All the previous posts have good advice, but the key is the divider. He should only have enough room to turn around. This way he won't poop where he sleeps. Try to section off the house a little so he has some boundrys when he has free roam. But he has to earn that. When he has gone outside, he can have some freedom in the house. I use kibble as a treat to get a pup in the crate and as a reward. You will use so many treats, that if you use expensive larger treats, it will be too much for him in the course of a day. Also remember that he is a baby and probably nervous away from mom. He will settle in in a few days which will help with the training.

For pictures, just put them on your desktop, then load them into something like Photobucket. Copy the link to the picture, then just post it in your post.

 

[sendchocolate]

About the kibble...Great Advice! I use Origen 6 Fish, only as a topper on her regular kibble, and I also use it as a training treat. She loves it. It is small, easy to carry, and she likes it as much as some of the messier treats. Win!

 

[Pam G]

Puppies are work aren't they? I always say "it's a good thing they are so damn cute!"
Mason is still very young and he's only been with you a few days, so hopefully he will get used to the crate soon..although I hate to tell you that some never do.
Cash hated the crate ..would cry all night and get himself all worked up. He would also soil in the crate..because of anxiety...when he was crated alone in the room. After about a month of hearing my husband complain about his barking/crying all night and after having to clean him and the cage every morning....I finally gave in and slept on the couch in the same room. I did this for about 3 mths or so. As long as I was in the room...he wouldn't cry or soil in the crate. Once he was about 6 mths, I just kept him gated in the kitchen with the other guys at night and when I went out and prayed that he wouldn't ruin anything. Luckily, I was able to be home with him the majority of the time. He was also ALOT harder to housebreak...who knows why. I guess some are just easier than others...but at least they all do catch on eventually Good luck!