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Erin · 10-14-2009, 06:20 AM

The leash is great. They will typically hold it longer on the tile floor than on the carpet. Mine would always have an accident the minute their feet hit the carpet so they were not allowed in carpeted rooms unattended until they were trained

The crate you should continue to use while you are at work for a while, up to a year, until she is completely trained. Mine have had both free run of the house and get crated (together, in a HUGE crate with big fluffy pillows) when we leave, depending on how long we are going to be gone, the time of day, and if there is anything out they could get into (like my sewing stuff) We used the small wire kennels during training but once they were both trained we got one of those big fabric kennels that zip up. They seem to like it as it's more cozy than a wire crate. At this point crating is for their containment, not for house training, but if we are gone longer than they would usually hold it (more than 3 hours) then we crate them because they will hold it for longer in the crate - mostly because the only thing to do in the crate is sleep.

Also, how is she asking to go out? That is the hardest part of the training. We use a bell. Taking her out on a leash is a GREAT routine. She will know why she is out there and it's not a free for all. Keeping their focus on pottying is important. Sam's attention span when she goes outside is" "OH! A leaf! OH! A frog! OH! Bird poop!!!!! Why was I out here?" I still to this day have to watch her and yell "SAM! Hurry UP!" and then she remembers and pees. Otherwise, she'd spend an hour out there and not potty.

Also, if you are outside training you will probably want to get her on a feeding schedule at some point. Mine eat and poop at the same time every day (twice a day.) That is so helpful for knowing when I need to make sure they are "empty" I wouldn't feed them and then let them stay home for 3 hours without making sure they pooped first. If they were free feeding I would have no idea when they need to go. We don't put water in the crate but that's because Loki drinks all water that is put in front of him immediately so there is no point. I just make sure they aren't left alone too long and get plenty of water before crating. If she is rationing the water, lol, you are fine

10-14-2009, 06:20 AM	#4
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	The leash is great. They will typically hold it longer on the tile floor than on the carpet. Mine would always have an accident the minute their feet hit the carpet so they were not allowed in carpeted rooms unattended until they were trained The crate you should continue to use while you are at work for a while, up to a year, until she is completely trained. Mine have had both free run of the house and get crated (together, in a HUGE crate with big fluffy pillows) when we leave, depending on how long we are going to be gone, the time of day, and if there is anything out they could get into (like my sewing stuff) We used the small wire kennels during training but once they were both trained we got one of those big fabric kennels that zip up. They seem to like it as it's more cozy than a wire crate. At this point crating is for their containment, not for house training, but if we are gone longer than they would usually hold it (more than 3 hours) then we crate them because they will hold it for longer in the crate - mostly because the only thing to do in the crate is sleep. Also, how is she asking to go out? That is the hardest part of the training. We use a bell. Taking her out on a leash is a GREAT routine. She will know why she is out there and it's not a free for all. Keeping their focus on pottying is important. Sam's attention span when she goes outside is" "OH! A leaf! OH! A frog! OH! Bird poop!!!!! Why was I out here?" I still to this day have to watch her and yell "SAM! Hurry UP!" and then she remembers and pees. Otherwise, she'd spend an hour out there and not potty. Also, if you are outside training you will probably want to get her on a feeding schedule at some point. Mine eat and poop at the same time every day (twice a day.) That is so helpful for knowing when I need to make sure they are "empty" I wouldn't feed them and then let them stay home for 3 hours without making sure they pooped first. If they were free feeding I would have no idea when they need to go. We don't put water in the crate but that's because Loki drinks all water that is put in front of him immediately so there is no point. I just make sure they aren't left alone too long and get plenty of water before crating. If she is rationing the water, lol, you are fine Last edited by Erin; 10-14-2009 at 06:24 AM.