House Breaking & Potty Training
A Crate
Crates and cages come in all shapes and sizes, with pros and cons to each. People often ask which brand or size is best and I respond saying there is not a right or wrong answer as long as the crate you choose meets your puppy’s needs. Make sure it is large enough for your puppy to sit, stand, and lay down without their limbs being restricted. There are benefits to using a crate! If their crate is the perfect size for them now, you will find yourself shopping for a larger one in a month or two! Consider purchasing a crate that would be appropriate for the breed as an adult and allowing your puppy to grow into it. Some crates have divider panels that allow you to partition off space and adjust the size to grow with your puppy.
Benefits include helping your puppy to feel secure and comfortable since an enclosed crate can offer a cozy den-like atmosphere. From a potty training standpoint, less is more! The less space they have, the lower your chances are of the puppy deciding to make their “extra” crate space a potty area.
On the other hand, when you gotta-go you gotta-go! A crate does not provide an alternative to “holding it” if your puppy has an accident in the crate, you are looking at a bath and possibly some laundry before you can try again. You may find yourself repeating this process over and over before your puppy achieves success. This cycle can be frustrating and poses the biggest downfall to using a crate alone!
We have wire crates and plastic crates in stock at our location most of the time, but if you prefer to buy a crate ahead of time here are some options!
A Play Pen
A play pen offers a little more freedom for your puppy, while still allowing you to control where your puppy goes while you are not able to supervise.
Pros to using a play pen include more space for your puppy to play, easier access to your puppy in the event of an accident, space for a potty area, and a more familiar feel since our puppies are used to play pen activity time.
Cons to using a play pen would be making it easier for the “Houdini” puppies to escape (some puppies learn to climb over the top), it takes up more space in your home, denies the puppy the “den” feeling they get from an enclosed crate, and some pens be moved and reconfigured by a larger pushy puppy.
Playpens that do not come with trays or liners will sit directly on your floor. If you are on a budget, select an impervious surface that can be cleaned and sanitized if an accident occurs. Surfaces such as tile or linoleum are acceptable, under no circumstance should play pens be set up on a carpet or wood floor without a barrier between the puppy and the flooring. We recommend using a washable puppy pad regardless of the floor type to make life easier, but a tarp or shower curtain liner under an old blanket could do in a pinch.
We do not have play pens for sale, feel free to find one online that works for you! Here are a few options that work well!
Both the Crate and Play Pen
While either a crate or a play pen can work independently, we found that a combination of the two can be even better for some puppies! This allows the puppy to focus on the crate as their sleeping area, and it achieves the security of a “den” especially if you have an enclosed crate or covered crate. It helps allow you to access your puppy quickly and gives them a potty space that will minimize cleanup and help your puppy progress in their training. Crates should either be placed inside a secure play pen, or firmly attached to the open play pen so that the puppy can not escape by pushing on the play pen where it meets the crate. This is a very popular set up for people who need to leave their puppy unsupervised for more than bed time. This gives your puppy an appropriate amount of space to play and occupy themself if you need to step out briefly.
While this is our method of choice, some people still prefer using only the crate or only the play pen due to space etc. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations until you find what is right for your puppy!
The Potty Training Process
Potty training the puppy is most likely one of the tasks that a new dog owner would prioritize the most. There are a few key things that you can do as the pet owner that will help prevent unwanted accidents and encourage your puppy to do their business in the desired location at appropriate times. The most important element of potty training starts with you.
1. Select a Location
2. Establish Boundaries
3. Remain consistent and positive at all times
Selecting a Location
You can not expect your puppy to know where to do their business if you yourself have not decided where you want them to go. Whether you are training your puppy to use the facilities outside, in a litter box, or even on puppy pads the concept is the same when selecting a location.
The ideal potty area is quiet, free from distractions, easy to access, and safe for you and your puppy. The less noise and excitement the more likely a puppy is to feel relaxed and relieve themself. Try to locate an area that will be easy for you and your puppy to access at all times. While during the day you want a secluded area, be sure to think about how you will take your puppy potty during the night… Is the place you chose safe with good lighting? Is the path there free of obstacles?
Puppies ingest toxins and parasites by absorbing them through their paws and by licking their paws after they walked on contaminated surfaces. To protect a puppy that is not fully vaccinated keep your puppy is your own backyard instead of going to the curb or dog park until they finished their course of booster shots at 16 weeks. You don’t want your sweet, healthy, little puppy to be stepping on the same grassy patch where every neighborhood stray has gone to the bathroom. Be mindful of harmful pesticides and fertilizers used in landscaping when you begin walking your puppy in public.
Establish Boundaries
Once you have decided on the best location for your puppy’s “potty area” communicate your decision with everyone who will be helping in the potty training process. Consistency is key when training a puppy and it is important that everyone in the family is on the same page… including your dog! It needs to be clear that the potty area is the ONLY location that is acceptable for the puppy to do their business. Put them in the place where you would like them to go and select a key phrase like, “Go Potty!” When they wander around try to redirect their attention to the spot you want them to go by saying, “Go Potty.” This is how you tell your puppy what you want. When they finish doing their business communicate that they did what you want. Say, “Yeah! Good puppy! Go Potty! Potty! Good Puppy!”
Be Proactive
Puppies are usually pretty small… In other words there is not much room between their nose and their tail. This means whatever goes in on the nose end doesn’t have far to travel before it is going to start coming out at the tail end. Puppies usually need to use the facilities about 10 minutes after they eat, drink, or wake up from a nap. If you are not sure… take them out anyway! The more time your puppy spends in their potty area the less opportunity they have to accidentally go on your carpet!
What if they have an accident?
When your pooch makes a mess inside their crate or somewhere in your house don’t blame them. Why? Because your puppy doesn’t know any better and you didn’t make sure they were in the right spot when they needed to go! Its ok, accidents happen! Say something to show your disapproval like, “Uh Oh! Not in the house!” or “Stop! We go potty outside!” Clean and disinfect the area so your puppy is not tempted to go in that spot again. Take note of when your puppy had their accident and next time make a bathroom break about 10 minutes before.
When your puppy finally goes in their potty area you need to make them want to do that again. Even if your puppy does not make the connection at first, they will over time! If your puppy is relieving themself in their potty area don’t interrupt with cheers and clapping or you will distract them. Wait until they are finished and immediately shower them with praise!
