[earth_girl]

Please be specific ~ I've always wanted a dog, but never had one before. We've just rescued a stray and I need to learn FAST!!

[its delia!]

well, just put him in there and when he uses the bathroom in the crate you praise him and when he does it on the rug you tell him no, since hes a stray i would go real easy on the punishment...but its better if you have an outside backyard area to let him use the bathroom outside, at least when they get older

[KATLIBERTY]

The mis-conception of crate training, especially a puppy, is that you need a crate that the dog can stand up and turn around in, no extra room. If you have a puppy it is un-realistic for you to expect them to "hold it" while you are at work all day. They should have a place to potty in the crate and a place to lay so they aren't laying in their potty all day. Dogs are like 2 year olds running around your house. Never let them out of your site especially when potty training. Take them outside 15 minutes after eating, drinking, playing or sleeping. Praise them when they go potty outside. Fenced yards are great things but until they are reliably potty trained, take them out yourself. The back yard is filled with distractions and you may have them out for 30 minutes and assumed they have pottied when all they did was go out and chase the leaves. If your new baby does have an accident in the house and you don't see them doing it all you can do is clean it up (use an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle so they don't smell it and return to that spot). Do not rub their nose in it or spank them. If you do catch them doing it clap your hands get their attention and in an enthusiastic tone ask them if they want to go outside and go potty. If they go outside then still reward them with lots and lots of praise. Hope all this helps. One other note worthy thing to mention. Since you are crate training make sure the crate is always a good thing. Don't punish them by putting them in the crate....Ever.

[theresa m]

First off , a puppy should NEVER EVER I MEAN NEVER potty in the crate. who ever tells you its ok, DON'T LISTEN TO THEM, THEIR STUPID!!! You should find a crate that will be big enough for the dog when it is fully grown if not already. Once you have found a crate that is the size for the dog, It should have a divider with it. Place the divider in the crate , the dog should be able to stand up and turn around comfortable. Dividing the crate does not give the dog the oppurtunity to potty in the crate, don't put toys or bones in the crate , for that is very dangerous since you may not be watching the dog half of the time, you want the dog to be comfortable put a blanket or pillow/small/ medium depending on size of dog, but with that if you do get a pillow make sure your puppy is not biting on the pillow , if it does take it out . make sure when you leave for work or what ever errand you have , take the dog/puppy out before you leave. Don't leave the dog in the crate longer than 6-8 hours, especially if you have a young puppy. I found it useful to not give the dog alot of water before you leave, of course when the dog is out of its crate the dog should be drinking water when ever and how ever much it wants. A crate keep in mind is not to have food nor water in it. How I introduced the crate..I took a treat and threw the treat in the crate and said go sleepy the puppy wouldn't listen so I placed the puppy (gentle) in the crate and gave the treat to the puppy. after doing this routine the dog will get use to it. I gave the puppy a treat every time it went into the crate. the crate should NEVER be used as a punishment !!!!************* The dog will end up finding the crate to be a safe place as well as its place to go when he/she feels like being left alone etc. Keep the crate door open at all times, when dog is not in crate. If the dog accidently pottys in the crate do not punish it, just simply clean the crate , if you have a divider in the crate and the dog pottys in it the dog may have too much room, again make sure the dog has only enough room to stand up and turn comfortable. If the dog barks for hours or mins let the dog bark, do not give in. Its normal for the dog to bark , the dog is not use to being in the crate. of course check on the dog if its been a half hour or hour and the dog is barking just to see if its ok, but don't let the dog out because it was barking for 10 min etc. Do let the dog out if its been a while(meaning hours) and the dog has to go out. stay strong but remember about the dogs needs. I hope this helped. good luck...if you need help look online for more suggestions. I have been crate training my dogs for 2 years now , and I have 3 dogs. One is still a puppy at 9 months old. Good luck.

[willowbluecrow]

make sure the crate is only big enough for him to sit, turn around and lay down. if its any bigger they will go potty in it.before you put the pup in there for the night make sure they have went potty and is ready for bed. you can put some treats in there so he'll go in...once he goes in give him praise and a treat...he may cry a little bit but when he does this do not give in and let him out, if you do it he will learn that if he crys he will be let out. if he crys you tell him no! and go about your business. somepeople uses a water spray bottle to correct the crying either way will achive sucess. both of my dogs are crate trained and have been ever since they came to live with me, i tell them bedtime and they know where to do..lol.good luck..