Crate Training & Toilet Training Fundamentals

The crate isn't a cage or punishment - it's your puppy's safe space. Done right, dogs genuinely love their crates.

🎯Benefits of Crate Training

• ●Prevents destructive behaviour when unsupervised
• ●Accelerates toilet training (dogs avoid soiling their bed)
• ●Provides a calm retreat from overstimulation
• ●Makes travel and vet visits less stressful
• ●Essential for recovery if they ever need surgery

📝Common Misconceptions

• ●"It's cruel to put a dog in a cage" - Dogs are den animals. A crate mimics the security of a den.
• ●"My puppy cries so I can't use one" - Crying usually means the introduction was too fast.
• ●"They should have freedom" - Puppies aren't equipped to handle unlimited freedom safely.

The goal is for your dog to choose the crate. That only happens if we make it the best place in the house.

The right crate, in the right place, makes all the difference.

📦Crate Types

• ●Wire crates: Good visibility, ventilation, collapsible. Can cover with a blanket for cosiness.
• ●Plastic crates: More enclosed, good for travel, some dogs prefer the den-like feel.
• ●Soft crates: Only suitable for dogs already crate-trained, not puppy-proof.

📖Size Matters

• ●Big enough to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably
• ●Not so big they can toilet in one corner and sleep in another
• ●Use dividers in larger crates as your puppy grows

📖Location

• ●In a social area during the day (living room, kitchen)
• ●Near your bedroom at night initially (you'll hear toilet needs)
• ●Away from direct sunlight and drafts
• ●Not isolated - puppies shouldn't feel banished

📦Inside the Crate

• ●Comfortable bedding (nothing they'll ingest if they chew)
• ●Water bowl clipped to the side for longer stays
• ●A safe chew toy (Kong, similar)
• ●Nothing that could be a choking hazard

Slow introduction creates lasting positive associations.

Phase 1: Exploration (Days 1-3)

• ●Leave the crate door open
• ●Toss treats inside randomly throughout the day
• ●Let your puppy go in and out freely
• ●Feed meals near, then inside, the crate (door open)
• ●Praise calm investigation, ignore hesitation

Phase 2: Building Duration (Days 4-7)

• ●Lure puppy inside with a treat or stuffed Kong
• ●Close the door briefly while they eat
• ●Open before they finish initially
• ●Gradually extend the time the door stays closed
• ●Stay nearby - don't leave them alone yet

Phase 3: Adding Separation (Week 2)

• ●With puppy eating calmly in closed crate, step out of sight briefly
• ●Return before any whining
• ●Extend absence time gradually
• ●Practice during the day, not just at night

Phase 4: Normal Use (Week 3+)

• ●Crate for all naps (prevents overtiredness)
• ●Short periods while you do tasks at home
• ●Gradually extend to normal daily use
• ●Always ensure exercise and toilet break before crating

📖If They Cry

• ●Check if needs are met (toilet, exercise, hunger)
• ●Wait for a moment of quiet before opening
• ●Don't let them out while crying (this reinforces it)
• ●Go back a stage if distress persists

Toilet training is about management and consistency. Accidents happen when we give puppies opportunities to fail.

📖The Core Principle

Puppies need to go outside: - First thing in the morning - After every meal - After every nap - After every play session - Last thing at night - And often in between

Young puppies can typically hold it for about one hour per month of age. An 8-week-old puppy = about 2 hours maximum.

🏆Setting Up for Success

• ●Choose a specific toilet spot in your garden
• ●Use a consistent cue word ("go toilet," "be quick," whatever works)
• ●Wait patiently outside until they go
• ●Massive praise and treat immediately after
• ●Then playtime or freedom as a reward

🎯What Creates Reliable Toilet Training

• ●Preventing accidents through management (crate, supervision, frequent trips outside)
• ●Rewarding success heavily
• ●Never punishing accidents (they don't connect your anger to past actions)
• ●Consistency from everyone in the household

Accidents are feedback, not failures. They tell you something about your management or your puppy's needs.

📖When an Accident Happens

1. Don't react if you catch them mid-act - just calmly take them outside 2. If you find it after, just clean it up 3. Never punish, scold, or "rub their nose in it" 4. Analyse why it happened (too long between breaks? Missed signals?)

📖Why Punishment Doesn't Work

• ●Dogs can't connect your anger to something they did minutes ago
• ●Punishment during the act teaches them to hide toileting from you
• ●They learn to toilet when you're not watching, not to wait until outside

📖Cleaning Up

• ●Enzymatic cleaners are essential (regular cleaners don't remove the scent dogs can detect)
• ●Avoid ammonia-based products (smell similar to urine to dogs)
• ●Clean thoroughly - any residual scent encourages repeat offences
• ●Consider a black light to find old stains

📖Adjusting Your Approach

• ●More accidents = more frequent trips outside
• ●Reduce unsupervised freedom
• ●Look for patterns (after meals? In specific rooms?)
• ●Rule out medical issues if sudden regression occurs

Night is challenging because puppies have small bladders and you're asleep.

🏆Setting Up for Success

• ●Final toilet break as late as possible
• ●Crate near your bedroom so you hear whining
• ●No water for an hour before bed (unless very hot)
• ●Last meal at least 3 hours before sleep

🐶Young Puppies (8-12 weeks)

• ●Expect at least one middle-of-the-night toilet break
• ●When they whine, take them out immediately, no fuss
• ●Straight outside, wait for toilet, straight back to crate
• ●No play, no excitement - this is business only

📖As They Grow

• ●Gradually push the night break later
• ●By 12-16 weeks, many puppies can last 6-7 hours
• ●By 4-6 months, most can last through the night

🔧Troubleshooting Night Crying

• ●First check: do they need to toilet?
• ●If needs are met and they're crying, wait for quiet
• ●Don't take them to your bed (unless that's your long-term plan)
• ●Move the crate closer if they need more reassurance
• ●Consider covering the crate for a cosier feel

Most crate and toilet training issues have straightforward solutions.

Problem: Crying in the crate

• ●Ensure physical needs are met first
• ●Go back to earlier crate training stages
• ●Increase positive associations during the day
• ●Consider crate location and setup
• ●Rule out separation anxiety (different issue, needs different approach)

Problem: Toileting in the crate

• ●Crate may be too large (use divider)
• ●Not getting out frequently enough
• ●Previous soiling not cleaned properly
• ●Medical issue (vet check if persistent)

Problem: Regression after progress

• ●Often coincides with developmental stages
• ●May indicate schedule needs adjusting
• ●Could be stress-related (new environment, routine change)
• ●Go back to basics temporarily

Problem: Won't go outside, then accidents inside

• ●Stay outside longer (boring is fine)
• ●Bring a treat to reward immediately after
• ●Check the toilet spot isn't uncomfortable (wet, cold, scary)
• ●Remove distractions that prevent focus

Problem: Signal confusion

• ●Some dogs don't learn to "ask" to go out
• ●Teach a specific signal (sitting by door, bell training)
• ●Maintain consistent schedule alongside

Remember: consistency from everyone in the household is essential. Mixed messages create confusion.