crate training advise?

[mily]

I am bringin home a new Yorkie puppy in about 2 weeks . I alreay purchase the crate a playpen ect.. I wanted to potty train to go outside. The playpen is for the few times we are not going to be home so that I don't have to crate him. What is the first thing I have to do when I bring him home show him the crate with a treat? Do I toss in a treat and let him have the feel for it first? Also since it will be like a 2 hours drive so I let him rest once I bring him in? I am confused on what to do. The crate is only for potty training. I am a stay at home and I will be with him all day. I want to do things right so that I can have success as potty training.

Thanks for any info

[cdawnfine]

welcome and congratulations. There are a few different ways you can do this. This is what worked for me, depending on how old and how many shots your puppy has had it is suggested you go on a short walk with your puppy before entering the home. This is a bonding time for you and them but remember do not walk on a collar walk on a harness. If it is at all possible send a baby blanket to your breeder to keep with the puppy until you pick it up, this way there will be a familiar sent from you and from the breeder. The crate should only be large enough for the puppy to stand up and turn around, if it is too big you can block it off with boxes and always remember no collar, harness or clothes in the crate you do not want to take the chance that anything could get caught. It is very important to remember that a puppy must respect there space so giving them too much freedom at first is not a good idea, a good rule of thumb is either in the crate, laying on you, or you can always have them tethered to you this way they can not stray to far. As far as the crate goes I would put the blanket you sent to the breeder inside the crate with a few treats or a few pieces of kibble and try to cox the puppy in, if this does not work wait untill the pup is a sleep and then place the puppy inside but keeping the crate close to you. A general rule of thumb is a puppy can hold it for as long as they are old so a 2 month old puppy should be brought outstide every 2 hours on so on. I hope this helps you.

Good luck

[mily]

Thank you for your advise. I have called the breeder and I qwll be taking the blanket to her. That was a great idea. I was not sure how to introduce him to the crate but I will try your advise. Thank you again