When you say crate?
 

Alrighty- I've had Bella since Sunday and when crated (her crate is half bed, half litter box) she uses the litter box fine.

When I put her in the kitchen (gated) she will use the box SOMETIMEs. The other times she's too busy hopping and bopping around trying to "get out" that she goes wherever. *sighs*

For those of you that crate, do you have a litter box or pee pad in the crate or do you just have the bed??? I'm wondering if I'm making it to easy for her by having the litter box in the crate and not allowing her learn to hold it.

Should I put the little gate thing that keeps them on one side for part of the time and then remove it? :confused:

In Daisy's crate there is only enough room for her to get up and turn around (comfortably) and lay down.. No pee pads.. I don't promote pee where you sleep.. :)

I was just reading the puppy training book I bought and it said the same. Not to confuse bed w/potty. It's just nice at night to have that avail "just in case". She hasn't gone at night yet, but she gets so hyper when it's time to get up (or she see's me up) that she goes.

I used my cat's crate for our puppy. He can stand up in the crate, stretch and turn around. I don't use pee pads. He sleeps in his little crate with a toy. When he wakes up I take him outside to do his business. He is one week over 4 months old and he hardly ever has an accident in the house anymore. Even when it is very cold (-27) we would go outside, do his business and back in the house. I find if I keep him to a consistent routine he does great.

I think it may be time to try the outdoor method. This indoor thing may not be working out. I just had her gated (in the kitchen) and she used the litter box to pee and then pooed on the floor. :confused:

I have her crated (w/no litter box) now (I do have the small cat carrier as well as the crate), I just feel so bad. I mean... she see's that I'm up and about and I'm sure she's wondering why she has to be "locked up". :(

PS. I know dogs don't think like us humans but she just seems so sad...

I see you live in my State!. I live in Redford, MI - I would suggest that you get your baby used to going outside also. The crate is perfect for potty training purposes. It teaches them to be able to hold it. I would discontinue using the pee pads inside the crate.

Try putting your puppy in the crate and covering the crate with a blanket. I keep his crate in our bedroom which is very close to my office in our home. I tried him in the office but he would just cry when he could hear me. So I switched him into our bedroom. I did this as soon as I brought my little guy home so he didn't cry when he was put in his crate. Your pup may cry because she is used to being out. Maybe I have just been lucky but I have used this method with 5 dogs and it has worked for us each time.

I feel bad when they have to be in the crate too...but I make it really cozy and give them a treat so that they like to go into the crate. I have only had my two a week and they don't even cry when I put them in their. If you make it "den" like they will want the quite peaceful rest.

I am training mine to go pee outside...right now at 11 weeks were are about 50-50 :rolleyes: Thats okay I know they will get it in time!

Cali was trained with a pee pad at the end of her Playpen and one in the other end of the house. She slept in the play pen until she wa about 4 1/2 months old with no problems.She trained extremely easy. Once I put her in my bed she slept all night and runs down in the morning to go pee in her play pen. She does tend to go more often during the day since she doesn't have to wait for me to take her out but it works well for us.

Thanks for the great suggestions.

I've been crating her since earlier (woohoo! LOL) and took her outside twice. She peed once (I rewarded/praised) and just sniffed around the other time.

I have her crated again but wonder when and how long should I let her out? So for feeding should I just take her to her bowl and water and then when she seems "done" re-crate her? During crate-training should I let her have her gated kitchen time? I know if I do, she'll pee and poo! I have a book I've been reading on crate-training but it's still so confusing!!! :(

HI! We live in Belleville so not too far from you! :D

Do any of you do potty pad inside and outside training as well??? I don't want to confuse her but it's just so hard right now where she'll at least sometimes use the pads and that's kind of a relief... And where she'll sometimes go outside as well...

It's really not that confusing, because no matter what the book says you need to take the cues from your dog. If she can handle 10 minutes out, then try 15, if she can't handle that then go back to 10. You can repeat this process a few times an hour, so she doesn't end up in the crate that much. Go outside for 5 minutes. Play for 15. Then back in the crate for 20. Then go back outside...

I used an 18 or 22" wire crate with a divider, not the plastic pet taxis. Now Loki has a bigger 24" crate since he has kind of "graduated" crate training. We only use the crate now for time outs, when we are not home, and when he needs to be contained (like when I am mopping the floor). I found that the wire crate placed in a room like the kitchen gave him the opportunity to still feel like he was near us and not being punished. Now he has a fancy crate cover and his crate is in the corner of the living room, since it's rarely used. Sometimes he naps in it.

I am not an advocate of the pee pads. I realize not everyone can be home all day to let their dog out, but if she is left alone put her in an x-pen and quietly clean the mess when you get home. If you encourage the pee pad she will think it is OK to go in the house. She is peeing and pooping everywhere at this point because she cannot hold it. This will continue for a couple of weeks and then slowly improve. She may only be able to hold it for a few minutes once she feels she has to go, so you need to be able to take her out as soon as she starts sniffing, etc. They don't always give these signs, that's why it's best to crate train and only give freedom to an empty dog. Avoiding accidents is key. Loki has bells on the door that he rings when he needs to go outside.

Potty training is hard. It's a lot of work and it means giving her constant attention. Some people even tie a leash to their belt loop so they can monitor their puppy. Yes she will need to go outside a lot. Yes you will clean up a lot of messes. If you are going to outside train, you need to commit to it. I still have to take Loki out sometimes at 3am if he drinks too much before bed. It's really no big deal - at least he let me know he needed to go and didn't just pee on the carpet. And he loves his 3am belly rubs :animal-pa

I started out training Kiki in and out, but I found that he really enjoys going outside and he did better when I consistently took him out to go potty. He is 6 months old and is doing very well. He has mistakes every blue moon.

We will have to get together some place in Michigan so our babies can play.

Meeko hates his crate! :confused: He has a wired 24" crate that sits in the living room. Thank God he finally stopped the barking when we put him in there. But he only goes in when we leave the house. If I tired putting he in while we are home, he would bark and bark non-stop. However, he NEVER EVER just goes in on his own to rest or relax. He has water there, food there, a bed and toys. Although, he will go in there to "rescue" his toys. But its the fastest in and out possible. I wish he liked his crate. I want him to have his own "den", but he wants nothing of the sort. At the moment, he doesn't seem to have a favorite spot anywhere in the house to lay down. :( He does have a favorite spot under the bed to take things, whether its his own toys or things he is not supposed to have like remotes and shoes/socks etc.)

Can he be trained to love his crate?

Good luck! Isn't house training fun? :D :D
Before I brought Ginger home, I found a great book on puppies, and followed what it told me about housetraining to the letter. People made fun of me, because it seemed pretty extreme, but she was completely housetrained very early and doesn't have accidents. The extra effort in the beginning really paid off.

Basically, here's what we did:

1. Her crate was NOT for peeing, just big enough to sleep in, turn around, etc.

2. When she was out of her crate she was under my nose. (see below - the schedule helped with this)

3. I made up a schedule (combining books recommendations, and the reality of my own life) that included time for eating, eliminating, excercising/playing, and sleeping. I even typed this schedule and taped to the outside of her crate. If you decide to try this method, and don't have access to the book I'd be happy to send you more info on their recommendations. Just send me a pm or mention it here!

4. I followed the schedule to the letter. (Sometimes the times would be a little off, but order of events never changed).

5. As she grew, I adjusted the schedule to her changing needs.

6. As she became trustworthy she gained more freedom. :animal36 yaay!

6. Puppies need to eliminate can be predictable if you control their food intake, amount of time playing, etc.

7. When it was potty time (basically after sleeping, shortly after eating, etc.) we'd head outside. As soon as she'd squat I'd say "go potty"! And I'd praise her after she peed/pood.

8. We went through her entire potty training period and I only had to clean up 2 messes inside (and both were my fault, I'd screwed up the schedule).

9. Today I can go anywhere with my girl and KNOW that I can trust her not to pee inside. Additionally, when we go outside to potty I can say "go potty", and she almost immediately squats! Sometimes I think she's faking it!
That's great when its freezing cold outside!

The book is You and Your Puppy: Training and Health Care for Puppy's First Year, by James DeBittetto and Sarah Hodgson. I HIGHLY recommend this book!

There was more to it than this, but these are the basics.

I know this is more than you asked for. Having had a 6 lb. shihtzu or was never 100% reliable in her 15 years, potty training was a BIG issue for me with this pup. Therefore, I'm very excited about this method.

Most likely. Leave treats in there for him. When he goes to "rescue" a toy he will find a treat. Give him REALLY good things when he goes in his crate, like a stuffed Kong. These are messy and I still prefer Loki enjoy them in his crate, even if I'm home. So if I get out the kong Loki RACES to his crate and lays down. We play fun games. One is where I say "Loki - BED" and he runs to his bed for a treat. Then I say "Loki - CRATE" he runs to his crate for a treat. This is helpful because I used to have to chase him to get him and put him in his crate. Now he just runs there even from upstairs when I ask him to. He used to be less than happy with it, now he just curls up and goes to sleep when he's in there. Sometimes after a hard day away from home he will go there himself and curl up, although he tends to choose his beds if there is no reward involved. He does go there when he wants nothing to do with anybody though, because we've trained him that is his time out space.

Repetition and reward is the key. Loki also sits on the rug in front of the door to get his leash on and off when he goes outside. I'm sure he doesn't "enjoy" this but he complies because it's the only way he gets a treat and we do it 10 times a day so he gets a lot of practice.

Try playing a game like that today and try to teach him the word crate. I bet he learns in a day or two that "crate" means to him "i get yummy food if i sit in my crate for a minute"

Then slowly increase the time he needs to be in there with kongs. When you give him a new toy, ask him to go in his crate first. Make all good things happen in the crate :-) Good luck!

That'd be fun! I'm sure the pups would love it! :aimeeyork :aimeeyork

I've started outside training and it seems to be working pretty well so far. She seems to "get it" more. :D

That's awesome info- thanks! I don't have that book- I've been using House-Training Your Dog-A KENNEL CLUB BOOK. It has some helpful info but some seems to be for the more "experienced" dog owner. Bella is my first. :rolleyes:

The book you have sounds really great. I'll have to go pick it up!!! Thanks!

Thanks again everyone for all your suggestions and experiences. It is soooooooooooo much appreciated!!!

:thumbs up