Instinctually, your puppy won't go potty where they sleep so just make sure to size your puppy's crate to where they can stand, sit, lay down, and turn comfortably without extra room. And don't add potty pads INSIDE your pup's crate! This can also encourage them to go, instead of teaching them to hold it.
For the first few weeks, put some newspaper (or a puppy pad) in the base, separate from the vet bed (half and half if possible). If your puppy does need to toilet and you're not around, or don't wake up in time to take them out, they won't want to go on their bedding.
Many owners put newspaper or puppy pads down for their puppy at night, but this can cause a lot of confusion. You spend the day trying to teach your dog they mustn't relieve themselves indoors but then allow him to do just that throughout the night. This can really slow learning down.
A properly sized crate will feel natural to her, like her den would in the wild. But without a few carefully chosen belongings, it won't invite her inside and welcome her to stay, during the daytime or at night. By all means, put toys and bedding in your puppy's crate.
Avoid leaving water and food in the crate
It may not be a good idea to leave water in the crate for your puppy especially in the first few days when you are still training him on the house rules. Puppies will fill up on the water and might mess up their crate.
Try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing you, he'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse. If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes, use the phrase he associates with going outside to eliminate.
If you cannot get up at night time or you don't want to , you may use puppy pads on all available floor space and leave the crate door open. Do not shut the pup in the crate overnight allowing them to soil in it, as this will go against the pups instincts and make toilet training a long and stressful process.
As they get older and potty trained, they will be able to go longer between potty breaks. Puppies must go a lot, especially when they are young. Some pups can even go up to four times a day! It is normal for a puppy to pee every 15 minutes to 30 minutes as they get older and can move around more freely.
Once your dog pee pad is in place, take your pup to the pad every few hours, especially after playtime, when they've just woken up, or after they've eaten or drunk. Show them the pad and give them a cue like pee time or wee-wee! If your dog looks at you like you're crazy, don't force it.
Interrupt Playtime
In some cases, letting out a loud noise will make your puppy even more excited, and they might continue to bite. At this point, ignore your puppy, stop any interactions and walk away. Stopping playtime abruptly is far more effective than yelling at your puppy or punishing them.
Remove the bedding.
Removing the bedding for a short time, while not as comfy, teaches your pup that it's in his best interest not to soil in the crate since he will not want to lie in his mess. If you do find an accident in the crate, don't punish the puppy because he won't understand what he did wrong.
Signs It's Time To Take Away The Puppy Pads
Your puppy goes through a full night (8 hours) without going potty. You come home from work (or errands, or any time you leave your puppy alone) to a dry pad. Your puppy is showing a preference for going outside.
Potty training your dog can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the dog and their previous experience with the process. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to speed up the process, but ultimately it's up to your time commitment each day how long it takes.
Using puppy training pads are a great way to teach your dog where they should go to the bathroom. Also, they provide a space for your puppy to pee or poop when it's too cold outside or before they have received all of their shots; using puppy potty training pads can also help build confidence. First thing, grab a pad!
Yes, some dog pee pads, such as WizSmart, have an attractant that only your dog can smell, but they still need to be introduced to the pad in the beginning. It will take a few times for them to get familiar with the pad, so be patient and praise them when they get it right.
It's recommended to wash at least once a week, might be more often with multiple pets. To clean, insert pads in washer with laundry detergent (no bleach) and wash on regular cycle (warm water).
Ignore The Behavior
It is important to allow a puppy crying in their crate to self-soothe a bit to ensure they do not whine and cry every time they are confined to receive your attention. If you respond too much to a crying puppy in their crate, they will learn to train you!
How long should you let puppy cry in crate? You shouldn't leave your dog crying in the crate for more than 10-15 minutes. If they're still crying regularly after this period of time, take a step back and work more on crate desensitization games to build up a positive association with the crate.
As challenging as it might be, let your dog settle himself down. After a few nights, he should understand that whining and crying in the crate won't get him anywhere. Get some earplugs (or use a white noise app on your phone) and know it's a short-term sacrifice for long-term happiness for you and your pup.
Use a sturdy chair, table, or nightstand. If your puppy starts fussing, rest your fingers in the crate through the cage door to reassure him. Once your puppy gets used to being in his crate at night, you can slowly transition the crate away from you. Start by putting more distance between the bed and the crate.
Make sure that your dog sees where his pad has been moved. If this is too drastic, you can start by slowly moving the pad progressively closer to the door. When your dog goes to the pad to eliminate, quickly pick him up and bring him outside.
Although a 2-week-old puppy may defecate at every feeding, by 12 weeks, they may be down to only 4 times per day. By 6 months, it may be 3 times per day. Usually by 1 year of age, they will have settled into their “normal” habits. An adult dog usually poops once a day, but they could go up to 3 times a day.
If they are still crying after a potty break, be sure to comfort them in a soft voice, place a hand inside the bars or purchase a snuggly warming toy to help remind them of their littermates. You can do this!