WHICH CRATE to use for housetraining lil Henry?
 

Hello,

We need to start the house training routine with our little Henry as he is causing family strife!! For example: My GF is going to kill me if he doesn't stop pooping all over!

Anyway, he is quite small (4 lbs) and I was wondering if you good folks could steer me toward the correct one? I heard that they shouldn't be too big as the puppy may poop in it?

THANKS SO MUCH in advance,

Sean (and Henry)

I like the Iris playpens better, pups seem much happier and then you can just put a potty pad in it with his bed and toys. :) (iris ci-604)

Does it have the same effect tho? Most books/advice regarding housetraining say crate...thanks!

First, let me say I love the name Henry! That's what I'd call a lil boy yorkie if I ever got one :)

Are you trying to outdoor train or indoor pad train Henry?

If outdoor, then I'd definately go with a crate...a very small crate that is just big enough for him to stand up and turn around in. ZoE's first puppy crate was 18in.L x 12in.W x 14in.H. (She is now full grown & has a slightly larger one) Most crates come with an extra panel to insert inside the crate to make it smaller for puppies, then you remove it as the dog grows to give them more room....this saves you buying multiple crates.

If indoor pad training, I'd recommend a playpen over a crate. Inside the playpen, you have room for a bed, food, water, and a potty pad area. Puppies don't like to eliminate where they sleep, so he'll want to use any area other than is bed to go potty. By lining the floor of the playpen with potty pads, he'll get used to going on them (and hopefully praised for doing so). Then when you open the playpen or remove it completely, he's used to going on the pads and knows what they are meant for.

Congratulations on your new puppy. Looking forward to seeing photos of Henry :)

I also got the crate size 18x12x14 and the crate cover set from Amazon.
These were great deals, and the crate came with a divider.
I have an Amazon Prime membership, so I got free 2-day shipping, which cost me $21 for the crate.

Midwest iCrate Single-Door Home Training and Travel Series
Amazon.com: Midwest 1518 iCrate Single-Door Pet...
Pet Dreams Plush Crate Cover - 3 Piece Set
Amazon.com: Plush Cratewear 3 Piece Dog Bed Set...

I don't confine him in a crate all day long, so I got a free-standing gate from eBay.
(You could easily get a gate at a cheaper rate, but I wanted a sturdy, free-standing one so that I can move around and place it anywhere I need without installation.)

RICHELL FREESTANDING PET GATE SMALL DOG GATE WHITE PET GATE
RICHELL FREESTANDING PET GATE SMALL DOG GATE WHITE PET GATE (80384094156-0) | eBay

Hello!

Hey thanks so much, very helpful!

We are indoor training him, so the pen I suppose is the way to go. He has gotten a bit better over the last week, I have been taking him on extra long walkies so he has more time to poop!!

I agree, xpen for indoor training on pad. Or, gate off a small room like a kitchen area, with the pad.

Tractor Supply sells the traditional metal xpens for less than pet stores. If Henry is a jumper or a climber, make sure you get a tall one.

Enjoy your puppy. :)

Hello!


Can you post a link for the kind of pen you mean? THANKS!!

Sean and Henry

New World Pet Products Step-Thru Exercise Pen, 24 in. H - 2409399 | Tractor Supply Company

This is the traditional metal kind. There are plastic versions too, but they have a honeycomb type fencing that my boys and other doggies can climb. A third variety is the soft-sided mesh kind. For some, these work great. A few have had problems with their dogs getting nails stuck in the mesh.