The most beneficial method of helping your puppy learn to control his bladder is through the proper use of a crate. It is important to understand that you should only move to the crate until after the dog is about 4 months old. Its bladder control is pretty well developed by then. For puppies younger than four months, you should use a playpen with newspaper or training pads at one end, and a dog bed or blankets at the other with chew toys.

Additionally, if you are going to leave your older puppy home alone for longer than a few hours, you should use the playpen until it reaches its first birthday.

The hardest thing for most people to get their heads around is the idea of putting their dog in a cage. It seems inhuman to most. But, to a dog, as long as they have been trained correctly, it is a place they like to go to, and will often go there on their own to sleep. Dogs are pack animals that are genetically predisposed to living in dens. They look at a den as a safe, secure place to rest. Since dogs also do not like to soil their dens, a crate is a good way to teach a dog self control.

First, make sure you have the right size. Your dog should be able to stand up and be able to turn around in the crate.


Introduce the crate to your dog gradually. Put it in the center of the action in the house. It is important not to associate the crate with punishment or isolation. Never use the crate as punishment. You only want positive things associated with the crate. You might even want to take the door off, if possible. Make it comfortable inside, place a blanket or perhaps one of your t shirts inside. You will be surprised, but often a dog sometimes doesn't need much more of an invitation to walk in and start sleeping.


If your dog isn't that open to the new box in the house, you will need to gradually get him to associate it with fun things like getting treats. Put some treats in there, let him go in and eat them. It may take several times, but he will eventually lie down to eat the treats. Place one of his toys in there. Pet him when he is lying down. Positive reinforcement, and no negatives will help him adjust and accept the crate as his new den.


If your dog still needs help accepting the crate as his own, you can try feeding him his dinner in or near the crate, gradually getting him to the point where he is eating dinner inside the crate with the gate closed. If at any time during any of this process, he ever starts whining to get out, then let him out and start again.


Follow the same gradual training process to get your adult dog more used to longer periods staying in the crate. Teach him a word for the crate so he knows when you want him in it. Use treats along the way to promote learning. Leave him in the crate for short periods while you are in the house. As long as there is no whining, increase the time until he can stay in the crate for 30 minutes with you in the home. You can then start the same gradual process to leave him alone in the home.

Dogs are social animals. They need healthy socialization with other dogs and with their human family. They also need regular exercise. Most vets I have spoken to suggest a dog should not be left alone in a crate for any more than 6 hours. What do you do if you have to crate your dog while you're at work? If someone cannot visit during the day to let him out, and you cannot afford a doggy day care, then you should probably consider using a playpen instead of a crate for 8 or more hours of being left alone.

There are plenty of dog owners who use the crate for bedtime. This is generally done with adult dogs who are very used to the crate, and is best when the crate is nearby to avoid isolation fears. My dogs are not crated any longer. They stay in my bedroom while I am at work. They stretch out on my bed and have access to their toys, food and water. I compensate for their time alone by spending lots of time with them, getting them out of the house and bringing them on truck rides.

You will need to find the right balance for yourself and your pet.

Video:
Humane Society (http://video.humanesociety.org/video/775461494001)

Articles:

Crate Training (http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/crate_training.html) {Humane Society}
Crate Training: The Benefits for You and Your Dog (http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/pdfs/dogs/cratetraining.pdf) {Best Friends}
Crate Training Your Puppy (http://behavior.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/local-assets/pdfs/Crate_Training_Your_Puppy.pdf) {Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis}