House breaking puppies?

Ed L.

Ed L.

Well-known member
We're looking at a low in the low teens tonight. So far so good at her sleeping in the dog carrier, waking up during the night and going outside to do her thing. Do you guys still take them out in extreme temps? What are some things you guys have done with pups in cold conditions.

Also there's no way she will sleep in the crate during the day. Must be day time noise or maybe the light. I've made a kennel of sorts that seems to be working. Is crate training at night better than nothing?

View attachment Willow_bed.jpg

Not quite a duck but she likes it.

View attachment Willow_duck.jpg
 
Ed,

I have had winter pups. I think the cold bothers us more than them.

As a rule I air pups whenver they wake up, before and after meals.

Have fun with your pup,

Tom
 
Ed,

I actually prefer winter puppies. I figure the time inside is all bonding time as opposed to them being outside. Of course, this means the wife spends more time with the puppy than I do so that may color my thinking. I take them out first thing in the morning, about a half hour after feeding and also anytime I have to go myself. (I generally use the inside restroom, then take them out). :>) I also take them to the same spot in the yard every time and encourage them to do their business. Next time I take them out I always ask them if they need to take care of business. I think they are smarter than we give them credit for and I believe they very soon pick up on doing their business means going out doors.

Not until such time as they understand this do I ever scold them for any accidents.


What do you mean she will not sleep in her crate during the day? Who is training who? Is the crate isolated or is she near the hub of activity? As long as the crate is nearby, in eyesight, she should be fine, just don't isolate her. She should look at her crate as her den and a place of refuge and comfort. I've even slept on the floor next to a crate for a couple weeks just so my pup did not feel isolated at night. I'm sure Vickie will do the same for your pup during the day????? Ya right, don't even think about telling her I suggested that.

At any rate, all your pup wants is love and affection. I am getting too old to sit on the floor so I had Ginger on my lap in my easy chair in the evenings. Guess what, she now thinks that is her spot! This fine and I should not expect anything different, after all, that is how I trained her as a pup.
 
Crate train your pup, she will enjoy it. Every time she gets up, take her out. Talk to her. When she eats, 20 / 30 minutes take her out. After she gets used to going out, it will become routine. After she goes, play with her.
Get a large crate for future [yard sale]. I put in a old chamois shirt in the bed [cut of buttons]. This will become her house. My dog would get tired and go in by herself. Pups are cute, no chairs, couches or beds, they remember. Lay on the floor with her, trying to break her later is tough.
Later on get a good dog bed. Have fun....
 
DENISE did a great job of traing Gordon.

She slept on the futon for 2 weeks at night he in his crate that we boarded up so was only enuf space to sleep and moved the board as he grew. When ever he was eating out in seconds after. When he came out of the crate right outside. Gordy was a Janurary Feb puppy. He was in his crate until 8 months old. Had the run of the house since. IT worked well at least that is what she told me. I SLEPT thru the baby stage lol

I did have to snowblow a section of yard that year so he could get on the turf to do his bizness.
 
Dave, Tom and Capt. Rich,

Thanks for the advise. This is how it's been for the past two days. Pup carrier by my chair and pup under my legs or in the kennel. Maybe the carrier is just to small. She howls and tries bitting through it. I've tried sitting by her but that hasn't worked yet it works fine at night. I'll invest in a bigger crate.

View attachment Willow_sleep.jpg

Dave Shady...LOL...I see Vickie and Denise view these things a bit different. Vickie is sleeping in the guest room!
 
I had a winter pup and also had trouble with her in the crate during the day. Just tried to stay on top of taking the pup out first thing in the morning, at bedtime, and a few times during the day. Looks like a lab in the pic. They are smart dogs and should pick it up quickly. Good luck.
 
Ed,

i have a new Female choc lab pup she is just 11 weeks, it has been cold here and I have a hard time getting her to come back inside :) she does not seem to mind the cold at all. The potty training is hard when the wife is to lazy to take her out and relies on the pads though :( I am also having a hard time with the create, as the wife was dead set against it to start with now she is willing to try it been one of us has to watch her and nothing is getting done around the house, but she carries on and then the wife give in and lets her out!
 
Andrew and Brian,

It's kind of a fine line whether it's kennel or crate which could lend it's self to some cool nights around here. We both work so we need to use the kennel during work hours which is my wifes preference and she prefers using the pee pads because she has no intentions of going out with the pup at all. That's my job. Me on the other hand feel we need to get the pup used to a crate for travel purposes and going outside so she doesn't get it in her mind she can squat anywhere anytime which of course will in the end be my fault. Unfortunately I can't come home every 1/2 hour to take her outside so pee pads will need to be used. I had a lab that didn't do well in confined spaces. Now I see the need for crate training. We kenneled that dog when we went on a trip. On our return we learned he got so upset he got twisted stomach while at the vet we kenneled him with. After researching the results of surgery and seeing a high rate of it happening again we made the decision to have him put down. I never want to have to go through that ever again. It was heart breaking.
 
Ed,

Even though you already have the pup...if you haven't read this book..go out and buy it ASAP.....The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete. This book IS a must read for anyone with a new pup....bar none.

Get it, read it, and enjoy that puppy!

Happy New Years,
Ron
 
Ed, Remember that pups are not human! One HUGE mistake that so many people especially women make when training pups is to reward bad behavior. Let her scream until she stops THEN let her out and BIG PRAISE. If you try to comfort or reasssure any dog when they are stressed they will take that as a reward for doing whatever bad behavior they were doing. It is tough love but think like a dog and it will be easier. Both our dogs are extremely crate trained, by that I mean they prefer their crates even to take a nap with the door open. NEVER use the crate as a "time out" or punishment for doing something we don't want them to do. Also don't worry about the crate being too small especially when housebreaking. All they need is enough room to turn around and lay down. If you give them too much room they will soil a corner and try to live in the other end, not a good thing. I don't think encouraging them to pee in the house on pads is a good idea, just IMHO. As long as I'm spouting off with my theories I will add that treat trainig should be tapered off as soon as possible. Remember you will always have praise handy but maybe not a treat. Probably above all is to keep it FUN, when things get too stressed you take a time out until things settle down!! Our guys are now 5 and 6 so we have forgotten all the joy of puppies so keep us all posted on your progress and questions. Remember free advice is sometimes worth just that. With our dogs in the past we have gathered as much info and help as we could and then used what worked for us and the dog. Good luck and have fun.
 
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