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HOUSE-TRAINING USE THE CRATE O.K.!! You just brought home the puppy of your dreams, or better still, you've adopted a dog from a shelter or rescue. All pups are cute, even if they're fully grown. But, they aren't born knowing that they're not supposed to poop in the corner behind your favorite chair or on the oriental rug in the living room. That's something you have to teach them.
PGAA™ has some hints and guidelines to help you. Your breeder or Veterinarian can also provide advice on the subject. House-Training is important for you and your pup's peace of mind, so don't leave it to chance or a rolled up newspaper. We have Golden Retrievers…here's what we did…and what we recommend to you.
You need to establish a routine so your puppy can understand what you expect. This routine or schedule should include walking, feeding, drinking, playtime, and just plain "getting to know each other time". The routine for a puppy is more involved than that for an older dog, since puppies must be fed several times a day. And if you're truly intent on training your pup to go outside to go to the bathroom, the beginning routine requires patience and dedication. [If you have an older dog, click here for hints on training him/her to go to bathroom outside.]
Don't just open the door and instruct the pooch to "Go, do your business"! Your little pooch doesn't yet know what "business" means. Put a collar and leash on the dog and lead him/her to a spot in the yard that's "Good for Business"! Talk your pup through it and be sure there are lots of "Good Boy"" or "Good Girl". [Some folks say that if you do this with just the proper amounts of enthusiasm and reward, you can get your little furrball to "do business" on command…just a thought…]
Well, this is where it begins. So get playing.
Once awake, give the pup a drink of water and take him/her outside for a walk. Don't forget the collar and leash. Take him/her to his/her spot and encourage "business". Remember "Good Boy" or "Good Girl." When you get back to the house, play again for a while. Practice calling your pup by name. You're not looking for the dog to come running to you and automatically move into the "heel" position. What you want is for the pup to respond to the use of his/her name. Don't loose your cool if nothing happens right away. How long did it take you to know your name? Just be kind and let the puppy feel your care. Puppies and small children respond well to smiles, and soft touches. After a while return the pup to the crate. Even if your pup will eventually have run of the house, in the first few weeks of potty-training, it is important for the puppy to spend time in the crate. It is his/her den. And he or she will soon understand that the time to "lift his leg" or "squat" is only after you open the crate door, put a collar on him or her, open the front door and tell him/her it's time to go. While a puppy, your dog should eat 3 meals a day. So around noontime, prepare your pup's lunch and give it to him/her along with a bowl of water. When lunch is through, go for another stroll, stopping to encourage your pup to do his/her business. Back at the house, play again for a while and then put the puppy back in the crate. In the middle of the afternoon you should offer more water, and take the puppy out, again. Play, and return puppy to the crate. I know this sounds like a lot of crate time. It is…but only at first. After a few weeks when your pup has connected "going outside" and "going to the bathroom" you can allow him/her to spend more time outside the crate. So, back to house training… Somewhere between 5 and 6 o'clock, you should offer more water, and take the puppy outside again. But this time, when you get back to the house, let the puppy stay in the kitchen area as supper is being prepared. You'll have to pay close attention. You don't want him/her wandering off, nor do you want any puddles. If you see him/her ready to "go" say "NO" in a firm voice and quickly scoop the pup up and carry it outside. If you missed it, and the puppy already peed…DON'T YELL. The puppy doesn't understand that he/she did anything wrong. Just take the puppy out to his/her area…and then clean up the mess.
Once he or she has been fed, you need to take him/her out. Then play…then crate. After a week or so you can let the puppy sit with you while you watch TV or read, etc. Just remember that if you let the 7 pound ball of fluff sit on the couch with you, chances are the 70-pound dog will assume it's fine to jump up and sprawl on the very same couch.
 Written by Ron Lueth, Pet Guardian Angels of America  Rescue Links | |||||||
If you have a puppy, you need three things…a CRATE, a schedule and PATIENCE! 
Most experts suggest that you feed a puppy early in the morning, give a little water, and wait about 15 - 30 minutes, depending on the size of the dog, and take him/her outside.
Once mission accomplished, take your puppy back into the house, or stay outside if the weather's nice, and play with him/her. I don't mean stand and watch your doggy sniff the grass or the carpet. Get down and let the puppy sniff you. Touch him or her. Scratch his/her ears, let him/her lick your face. You want this little guy or gal to bond with you. You want to build the same level of trust that Timmy had with Lassie.
After 15-20 minutes of play, puppies should tire. Put the puppy in the crate with a toy or two. Then watch…don't hover, but don't abandon him or her either. After a settling down period the pup should nap.
Your puppy should eat his supper only after you eat. No Begging Allowed! In the world of dogs, the strongest, most important dog-the ALPHA-YOU, eat first. You're the boss, and that's just the way your puppy wants it.
E-mail us. We'd love to hear your comments and suggestions!