In order to get the pup to like the crate, I left the crate in the living room, put a treat in it, he went for it, next time a bully stick in it, he went in picked it up, the key is getting him to see that the crate is a good place, put toys in it, I have put food in it as well.
With Zander, I would take him out of the crate every .50 hour, he was 3 months,.... within a few days I went to every hour and continued to move it up....I would take him outside, I read that you should name the #1, so as he is going #1, I would say, good boy, pipi, good boy, and immediately give him a treat, it can be .50 of a cheerio. I would do the same with #2. I would give him a few minutes, so he would understand pipi first then play. If he didn't produce back into the crate, if he did he would get play time. When I was off to work, he would stay in the bathroom with a pipi pad, bed & toys, I had to get him cloth pads anchored to a pad holder. If he is in an xpen, pin the pad underneath one of the sides of the xpen. This is how Zander learned to use the pad as well, he only uses it now if he just can't hold it. Even now if he tries to hold back and not go #1 when I take him, we walk back to the door, then back to the grass, he then gets it that we are not going in until he goes tinkle.
With Jazzie I just kept her leashed to me, put a bell on the back door, showed her how to smack it when she had to go outside, I would smack it and say pipi outside, give her a cheerio for smacking it, go outside, etc.
Being persistant is what I noticed works. If the dog is going #2 in the crate I would cut off feeding by 6pm, water by 9pm.... perhaps a walk would help him eliminate that nighty night poo
. I remember setting the alarm clock at 5:30 am just to take Zander outside to poo & pi, I knew his sleep was lighter around that time so I wanted to make sure he understood that this stuff is done outside. I read that when they are 5 months or younger, take them out of the crate, hold them in your arms, then put them on the grass, since they are so young and don't hold it as well they could tinkle on the way out
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Be patient, keep up the good work and you will feel very proud of your furbaby once he is potty trained.
