The subject of potty training goes hand in hand with crate training. This subject has been written about countless times. Since this site is meant to be comprehensive, I’m going to discuss the subject one more time. Fortunately for the reader my wife and I are very good at house breaking.
We introduce all our dogs to crates when they come home as puppy’s. This is because they live in the house and the crate is the only sure-fire way to have control over a puppy.
We start the puppy out in a puppy size crate just big enough to fit that puppy’s size. Then as the puppy grows, they are moved into an intermediate size. Finally, when the puppy outgrows the intermediate size, they are moved into their adult size crate.
I know there are wire crates with dividers that come with the crate. I have used them and found moving the wire dividers to be a hassle.
To make it easier to get the puppy to accept going into the crate I use BilJac liver treats or Pro Pac Nut ‘R’ Nipz Dog Biscuit Treats. They love both and the liver treats make excellent training treats. I toss a treat into the kennel and say kennel. If the pup balks, I just give it a push and shut the door.
Depending on the pup’s personality we may cover the crate to help the pup feel more secure. After a few days to a couple of weeks of conditioning the pup starts to feel at home in the crate. Then I cut the treats to random times. Always repeat the command kennel with firmness.
In a few months the pup is so used to the kennel as home they often go into their kennel on their own to sleep.
When the pup is introduced to the crate, they need to be put on a schedule. The ideal situation is one where someone is at home most of the time. I realize that is not always the case and hopefully the pup can be kept outside when no one is home.
A very young pup shouldn’t be in a crate with no one home for too long. If it, is you risk the pup getting used to its own filth.
Our just arrived pup’s Schedule works like this. Immediate potty trip outside upon waking. Morning feeding and water with trip outside right after. Then every 60 minutes or so for the first couple of weeks. Then second feeding and water around lunch time with a trip outside right after. A third feeding and water around supper time. Always a trip outside after loading up. In warm weather water every couple of hours or between feedings. A light drink about an hour before everyone turns in.
With this schedule (it is demanding) you can house break most puppies within two weeks or less. And get a decent night’s sleep as you only have to get up at most twice a night. In two weeks on average once a night. In three to four weeks the pup will be sleeping through the night.
After two weeks when the pup’s bladder size and control has improved, you can start to increase the amount of time between trips outside . If you can stick to a rigorous schedule, you will have very few accidents in the home.
This is all part of the conditioning process. Conditioning is the fastest method to train a dog. I always talk to my pups. “Let’s go outside” Once outside pick one area and say “Go Potty” or whatever you want repeatedly until the deed is done. Then lots of praise and some play.