Crate Training to Housebreak a Puppy: Works on Adult Dogs Too

As owner of a couple dozen dogs over the last decade or so I can honestly say that crate training is the easiest, cleanest, quickest and least stressful way to housebreak a puppy, or even an adult dog that may not have been properly housebroke or has went back to soiling in the house for whatever reason. This sometimes happens to dogs that were previously housebroken because of a move to a new home, a stressful event, a new baby or puppy, a plea for attention, or any other number of reasons.

I feel the most important things to remember are to always remain calm and never show the puppy your distress and to make sure they have the right amount of space inside the crate. The crate should be only slightly larger than the dog itself. He or she should have room enough to stand, lay down and do a complete turn around inside the crate without room for any other movement. They should not have room to soil without getting it on themselves. A dog or even small puppy does not want it's own waste on him! However, if he has room to do his business and still stay clean some will. You can purchase crates with a divider piece inside, to make less space when house breaking and later, more room when the puppy is alone and needs toys and treats and a bit more space.

A puppy has very little control of it's muscles and bladder before about 4 months of age, so don't punish him for accidents. Even when he has better control punishments will do little good if any at all. Never leave a dog in the crate for too long. It is cruel!! For puppies add an hour to it's age in months and leave it crated no longer than those few hours. For example a 2 month old pup should not be crated for longer than 3 hours. It simply can not hold it's soil that long. Some people say not to add any bedding to the crate as it encourages chewing habits. Myself, I see nothing wrong with providing them a little comfort. You should be teaching the puppy what he can and cannot chew on at this time also.

There will be accidents, a few in the crate and probably many more outside it. It's going to take a little time and it's not the pup's fault. He is only learning, you have to be a good teacher. When there is an accident, don't yell or punish puppy. Just clean it up with a neutralizing product to get rid of the scent and prevent repeats in the same spot. Feed your puppy a good food on a schedule. Stop feeding and water about 3 hours before bed.

When puppy's crate time is up, immediately take him outside and if he goes potty give him tons of praise, everytime he does it. Make the crate a fun experience so he will not be afraid or upset by it. Crate puppy if you have to leave him alone for his own protection and to keep him out of trouble and safe. Give him toys and things to chew to keep him from getting too bored. Just remember not to crate him for too long, this can cause psychological problems and very bad behavior. Some puppies will be very easy to housebreak, so easy in fact that you will think you have the best and smartest dog in the world! Others will be harder and you might get very frustrated but be patient and hang in there. There's not a healthy puppy in the world that can't be housebroken! Most will fall in between the easy and the hardest. It has been my personal experience that most males are quicker to housebreak. Not all, just most in my experience. Some puppies may get very restless or upset and be very noisy. A warm water bottle in a towel may calm him. Do not give the puppy attention when he whines. Do not let the puppy out of the crate because he whines. This will teach him that he can get his way by whining and it will only be worse next time and harder to stop, so stay firm but calm and gentle.