How to House Train a Puppy Using a Crate

Crate training is a common and easy way to house train a puppy. It works on a simple premise: The puppy has an instinct to keep clean and will not willingly soil its den. The crate serves as the pup's den. It is a humane method as long as it is done properly. A puppy cannot physically hold it indefinitely, so you cannot just leave the puppy in the crate until you're ready to take it for a walk. Your puppy will soil its den if you leave it no choice.

Things You'll Need

  • Collar
  • Leash
  • Training treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy the right size crate. Your puppy must have room to sit, stand, turn around and lie down completely stretched out. The puppy's head should not be bent down when it sits or stands, nor should its paws have to fold in when it lies down. If you buy a crate much bigger than that, many puppies might use one end for a potty. So, depending on your puppy's size and age, buy a smaller crate and then trade up to a bigger one as the pup grows. Some crates come with a divider, so you can purchase a size large enough for your puppy as an adult and use the divider to cut it down to size while your puppy is very young.

    • 2

      Keep your puppy in the crate whenever you can't supervise it closely. Anytime your puppy is loose in the house, an accident is possible, so you must watch closely and be prepared to take it out at the first sign of sniffing, circling or trying to leave the room. If the phone rings, put the puppy in the crate first. Think of the crate as you would think of a playpen for a baby.

    • 3

      Take the puppy out on a strict schedule, every two hours. At first, set your clock to take the puppy out three times during the night. If you get up and the pup has already had an accident, set your clock a little earlier. It is hard, but it progresses fast and the pup will soon be able to sleep through a short night at least.

    • 4
      This is the precise moment to give the treat.

      Give the puppy a very small, soft training treat as it is in the process of going potty, while saying "good job" or some similar potty command. Do not wait until the pup finishes to praise. Praise while the puppy is in the act.

    • 5

      Increase the amount of time between potty breaks gradually, in half-hour intervals. If you notice the puppy start to have accidents, go back to the last time when there were no accidents, such as every two hours or every three hours. The puppy will be able to hold it during the night much sooner than it will be in full control during the daytime.