The crate has become a method of a person’s lack of wanting to put in any effort with their pup. So often we see the same thing. Once the initial cuteness and newness of the new pup wear off, the reality of the REAL work and effort required to raise a healthy, happy and stable dog kicks in. Something to stick them in or in front of, so we don’t have to “deal with it right now”.
Crate training seems to be all the rage these days although it’s relatively new. Possibly because more people are spending more time away from home. Both spouses working and so on.
But in the not too distant past, people house trained their dogs successfully without a crate. Crates are useful for transporting and to keep your pet safe in certain instances. But in my estimation, not such a good way to house train an animal who will likely be spending his entire life with you.
Make an active effort to have a responsible person around the home for at least a week or two at all times when your puppy first comes to your house. The more time you can spend with him when he little ensures that he can be a safe, happy and well-adjusted adult dog.
Some puppies take longer than others to housebreak, so remain patient.
You can housebreak a puppy without using a crate. Simply establish a feeding and potty-break schedule to teach your puppy a routine, and give him hearty praise every time he does his business in the right spot.
Four simple steps to potty train puppy without crate:
- Put your puppy on a regular schedule for feeding and potty breaks, and stick to it.
- Establish a regular spot outside for your puppy to take care of business.
- Take your puppy outside first thing every morning and after every nap.
- Reward your puppy for going to the bathroom outside: Praise your dog by petting him and telling him he is a good dog.
Should you ever be using a crate while raising a puppy?
- Nighttime – when the pup is very young. Young puppies are prone to get in trouble. It is our job during the day to teach them how to control their impulses. It is our job to teach them what they can and cannot chew on. It is impossible to instill these lessons if the pup is always created, and we are always too busy to deal with a restless 3 months old pet. It is a full-time job with sleepless nights Nighttime is different, since both, people and pets need their sleep, and we can’t supervise occasional waking up of a young puppy.
- Naps – When your pup is ready for a nap, there is nothing wrong for that nap to be arranged in a crate. It allows you to have an hour, and sometimes even two, to do what needs to be done around the house.
- Short outings (1-2 hours) – When the puppy is still young, I would try to avoid leaving him home alone in a crate, unless they had a very busy exhausting morning, and you are certain that they will be sleeping for a while. If I had to leave, I would do my best to plan ahead, and tire them out beforehand.But not leave them in crate for more than whole day, Is it cruel to Crate a dog while at work?
- Comforter problems – My pup would jump on the comforter, or make a fuss over laundry pieces, and chew and bite, and get overly excited about the whole ordeal. I’d always say “no biting”, redirect with a toy, and praise when she would grab onto her doggy toy. If this process had to be repeated three times in a row – I’d crate her until she quieted down (usually, no more than 2-5 minutes), and then let her out back into the bedroom.
- Keeping multiple dogs safe – If you have more than one dog, and if your dogs do not share treats and food well, it is wise to give them their own space away from each other while feeding or providing a special treat, like a stuffed kong or a bully stick.
- Illness – Self-explanatory. After surgeries, or past certain traumas a dog might be required to stay in a crate.
- Emergencies – Things happen. Not everyday things, but outstanding, out of the ordinary things, and your pup might have to spend more time in a crate than usual for a day or two.
How To House Train Your Puppy Without A Crate ?
1 . Have a Schedule
If you are able, take your puppy outside once an hour. Stand with him but don’t distract him at all. Let him sniff around. If he goes to the bathroom while outside tell him what a good dog he is while he is actually peeing or pooping Choose a word for his elimination. You can call it whatever you want as long as you are consistent with it.
Right after meal time is poopie time. And you will see him doing the poop squat. Of course, take him outside right after eating if you can; give love and praise for a job well done. He might go poopie other times too, just watch him. It’s like having a toddler around the house.
2 . Have an acceptable area where you will allow him to go to the bathroom
If it isn’t possible for you to frequently take your puppy outside then you must decide where you will allow your puppy to go to the bathroom inside. Have acceptable areas where he can eliminate.
Puppies don’t have very big bladders and can pee a lot of times in a day. Which is great for training. If you notice him circling and sniffing the floor you can be relatively certain he is thinking about going for a pee.
Gently pick him up and take him outside. He may lose interest in peeing once he gets outside, but be patient. If and when he does let him know how pleased you are, lots of praise and lots of love.
Sometimes he will totally forget about peeing and you can let him back inside, but watch him closely and repeat going outside when he starts to sniff and circle.
If you take him to the same place outside he will quickly learn from the puddles he has already made that this is a good place to pee. That’s what he is looking for when he is sniffing the floor.
3 . Constant Supervision. Contain your puppy in one or two rooms.
Before your puppy is potty trained don’t let him have the run of the house. Try to contain him in the room you spend the most time in so you can watch him most of the time.
Know the signs that your puppy is about to eliminate. Puppies are quick. One minute they are playing and the next minute they are peeing on your carpet.
Some of the signs that your pup is about to pee are:
- Sniffing the floor
- Circling
- Whimpering
- Taking off suddenly to another room or area. They often do this when they want to poop.
Often there are no warning signs, the puppy just squats and pees.
4 . Catching Puppy in the act
When you catch your puppy in the act of going to the bathroom in the wrong place tell him firmly in a ‘not happy voice’, “No don’t pee there.” Then take him to the newspaper or take him outside. If you shout and carry on at him it will only frighten him and he will soon learn to sneak off and do it where you can’t see him.
5 . Cleaning up is very Important
When your puppy pees or poops on the carpet or floor you must clean it up immediately. If your puppy smells pee on the floor or carpet then he is more likely to return to this area to pee again
How long does it take to potty train a puppy?
On average it will take about two to three weeks. Remember that all dogs are not the same and some will learn very quickly and some will take a little longer. I once had a dog who learned paper training after one day. I caught her ‘In the act’ and put her in the newspaper and she never again went anywhere else apart from the newspaper or outside. She was a very smart puppy and an exception to the rule.
