Re: housebreaking/crate-training

In Reply to: housebreaking/crate-training
Posted by:  carrie
Posted on:  April 26, 2001 at 23:46:37

: I have read the articles/posts on housebreaking and I still feel a little confused about using a crate to housetrain our 12 week old puppy. I can't always watch him when he's in the house (for example, right now, my attention is on the computer). How long is it ok to leave him in his crate, really? I am afraid he wont get enough exercise during this training period. But I don't want him going in the house either. He gets at least three walks a day, not counting outside "potty time" I work during the day, but I come home on my lunch hour & he gets a 1/2 hour walk during that time, but I still feel mean because he spends a lot of time in his box.

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The formula is his age in months plus one. Example if he is three months old ( 3 + 1 = 4 hours ) Four hours is the longest he can hold it before needing to go outdoors to eliminate. You can try blocking him in the room you are in while you are on the computer. You can watch him and do what you need to do at the same time. Just don't punish him if he makes a mistake. Whisk him outdoors and clean up the mess. You may feel mean by putting him in his crate, but it's the safest place for him if you can't be watching him. As a parent we have to do things sometimes that seems mean, but is for the best for our children.

Best wishes,