How to Crate Train and Housebreak a Six Month Dog

Owning a 6-month-old puppy can be both fun and challenging, because puppies of that age are curious about the world around them. Sometimes a puppy's curiosity can get it into trouble, such as chewing on furniture, eating dangerous items and using the bathroom indoors. A practical solution for these problems is to train your pup to stay in a crate for housebreaking and when it must be alone.

Things You'll Need

  • Treat-dispensing dog toy
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain a dog crate of the correct size for your puppy. Your dog should be able to stand up and turn around comfortably in the crate, and lie down and stretch out as well. The crate should not have excess space inside, because puppies will go to the bathroom in one corner and sit in the unsoiled area. Dogs are naturally inclined to keep their sleeping area clean, so the proper sized crate encourages your dog to "hold it."

    • 2

      Leave the crate in a common area with the door open. Let your puppy investigate the crate but do not push it inside or close the door if it goes in. Give your puppy lots of praise and dog treats if it comfortably investigates the crate without showing anxiety. Do this for a day or two.

    • 3

      Keep your puppy with you at all times during this training period whenever you are at home. If you notice the puppy starting to sniff one spot, circling or scratching at the floor as if it may need to eliminate, take it outside right away and praise the pup for going potty outside. This will provide consistency for the dog; it will not develop a habit of going indoors, and once your puppy is comfortable in the crate, it will learn to physically "hold it."

    • 4

      Serve your puppy all of its meals inside the crate with the door open after it gets used to the crate. Fill a treat-dispensing toy with dog treats and place it inside the crate. Let your puppy play with the toy inside the crate -- again, with the door open. Repeat this process for several days.

    • 5

      Repeat Step 4, but this time close the door. If the puppy remains calm, leave it in the crate for 2 to 3 minutes, and then let the puppy out. If the puppy immediately becomes upset, repeat Step 4 for several more days until your puppy seems comfortable in the crate with the door open, then try closing the door again.

    • 6

      Repeat Step 5 many times, gradually increasing the amount of time you leave the puppy closed in its crate. If your puppy whines, barks or whimpers slightly, ignore it and do not approach the crate until the puppy is quiet. However, if the puppy panics or becomes extremely upset, let it out and allow a few more days to get used to being in the crate with the door closed. If necessary, find a very special treat that your puppy gets only when it's in the crate to create a positive association with being there.

    • 7

      Increase the time you keep your puppy crated until it is comfortable in the crate for 7 to 8 hours, which is the average length of time a 6-month-old dog can hold its urine. Continue to always monitor your puppy when it is out of the crate for signs that it may use the bathroom, and take it outside immediately to reinforce going potty outside. A combination of crating when unsupervised and constant monitoring inside the home will teach your pup proper bathroom habits over time.