cage...crate whatever...not really up with the dog verbiage...this is my first dog I've done alot of preparing...reading...researching but i guess nothing can really prepare you for one.

I FORGOT SOMETHING!! I had bought a cat bed...the ones that are open in the front and have a hood. I made a little comfy pillow for it and had a small blanket in it.(this is when Lillie first came to her new home) I pulled the bed all the way to the front. I felt the crate (even though it isn't big) was very overwhelming for her. This way the it was like she was in a cave...She liked this and slept in the cat bed until she couldn't stretch out anymore. Maybe this will help.

how did you stop her from getting out of the cat bed?

I would pull the cat bed right to the front of the crate and shut the crate door. I think she felt more secure being kind of closed in like that. I would also put in a little soft toy with her. She is not in the cat bed anymore. she out grew it. In the winter I put a heating pad under the pillow I made. I make sure that the cord is under the pillow and outside the crate so she can't chew on it. Matter of fact you can't even see it. It's almost like she is in her own little den. The way they used to sleep in the wild...

Oh, I forgot to say that I also cover the crate with a towel, leaving the front uncovered so that the puppy can see. :)

I know how hard it is to not take them out especially when it is keeping you up. Just recently I started crating Mckenzie alone instead of with the other pups and she cries all night. I'm doing it for potty training reasons, but I can already see the whining getting less and less and it's only been two nights! :)

It will get better! And I forgot to say.. welcome to YT! :)

there are some great mommys in here whooie the den thing is great close to mommy is great and the towle is great omg i went to walmart and got a babys play pen that had a night light and a vibrating setting it wasnt to expensive and put it right up to my bed my and when weaning them off mommy i would put my hand in the play pen while i fell asleep and it would comfort them and they would quit crying in 20 min the next night 15 and then 10 down to 5 the other thing with crate training is dont make it a big deal try not to prase them when they come out in the morning pretty soon you wont be able to find your baby and you will see when they want a nap they will go willingly into there crate also the towle over the crate will help them not want to pottie in the crate as long as you dont leave them in there too long

nights
 

I also wanted to put my baby in the basement so I can't hear her crying. But it is not easy to do.
So what I ended up doing is putting her in a crate next to my bed, but with open door.
I also have a wee wee pad next to the crate.
During the night she wakes up few times, sometimes to pee,but more often just to get attention.
She tries to reach me in the bad, but she is too small. Then I give her a pet and put her back into the crate.
Some nights were more difficult then others. What else I have learned that you shouldn't let her sleep
on your lap or on the couch next to you during the day. Because she wants that kind of physical contact all the time.
If she get used to stay on the floor, she won't cry that much during the night. The problem is that we want to
hold them at other then night time. I sit on the floor with her and let her play with me there.
This night she was very quite even though she waked may be 10 times during the night. So we are getting there, step by step.

How do i go about potty training?

Well this is what I have been doing and it works wonderfully, if you stay right on top of it. =)

I don't work right now, but if you do.. I think the weekend would be a great time to start this so you guys have a solid 2 days together.

7:00 am - Let Mckenzie out of crate. Bring her directly to her pee pad ( I usually pick her up and put her on it). I sit beside her and when she walks off of it, I put her back and say "go potty".

Usually first thing in the morning she will go no problem. As soon as she squats to pee or poop I say GOOOOD POOOOTTTY with as much energy as I can and treat immediately.

7:15 am - She eats breakfast.

7:35 am - Back to the potty pad (I wait 15 minutes) if she doesn't go I put her back in the crate for a half an hour and repeat the process.

If you free feed like I do, you will want to watch for any times that she eats or drinks and take her out about 20-30 minutes after that.

I bought a timer that has a clip on it, and I clip it to myself and set it for every hour. I take her outside at this point to potty. ( I only use pee pads for in case accidents and middle of the night potties, but if you are only training on pee pads you would take her back to the pee pad).

I repeat doing this cycle all day (every hour when she is not eating and every 20 minutes when she ate or drank).

During the night, if she whines I will let her out in the bedroom to potty on the pads, then she will go back into the crate.

I hope I'm not being confusing :). The puppy doesn't have to be in the crate all day.. only when you cannot watch her like a hawk.

The more accidents she has, the harder it is for them to realize that the house is NOT the place to potty. So anytime you can prevent an accident (by watching closely) is the best thing to do.

Never yell at or reprimand your puppy if she has an accident. If you catch her in the act, simply clap your hands or so no no, outside!

If you find an accident after the fact, don't punish the puppy. I read somewhere they only remember what they did for 5 seconds after the fact.. so the puppy won't know what it is being corrected for.

Good luck! It is tough and I am having a heck of a time with my 2 pups, but it's all in consistency and schedule, so as long as you're dedicated to this.. they will get it.

Mckenzie has only been on this strict schedule for 3 days and she's already getting it. This morning she ran all the way into the bedroom to her pad to do a poop. I was SO excited because it just proves she's getting there :).