My girlfriend and I bought a mini dashchund on Friday. I've read a lot about crate training, but I'm unclear of one thing; after being in the crate for an hour or so, do I assume she needs to go out and pee, or do I wait until she cries or something similar? I'm under the impression that she is to get no attention while in the crate with the door shut, so wouldn't waiting be the wrong thing to do? Thanks for the help.


Andy

I think many make more of crate training than there is. I see no reason to crate a dog when you are around to watch it. The whole goal of housebreaking is for the dog to let you know when it needs to go out, usually by going to the door. How can it do that if it is in a crate and your attention drifts elsewhere? I was fortunate to be given good instructions many puppies age. You will find what works well for me and many others I know in the sticky starting at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/information-articles-our-dogs-expert-labman-53153.html#post251802

You are better off not leaving a dog in the crate until it needs to go out so bad it whines. The puppy needs to learn to stay quiet in the crate until you let it out.

You bring up a good point. I never considered looking at the other side of it. Do you think that it is a good idea to lock her in her crate for small periods (an hour +/-) while we're around so she isn't so against being locked up in it overnight?