Here is some potty training information...
When toilet training a puppy you have two options.
Start training the pup to go do their business outside from the start, or get them to use puppy training pads.
Puppy training pads are cloth pads with a plastic backing, they encourage your dog to relieve themselves in one area only without damaging your carpet.
Puppies are most likely to urinate straight after eating and when they wake up after a nap. They are most likely to defacate 10-20 minutes after they have eaten a meal. (This is a guide only, it may be different with each dog)
After the puppy has woken up or eaten take it straight over to the puppy pad and place it on there, if the puppy relieves itself give it lots of praise and make sure that it knows it has been good and done the right thing.
Once your pup is confidently going to the toilet on the pads you can gradually move the pad closer to your door.
Just a foot at a time until you are eventually to the door.
This is when you can start opening the door or encouraging the pup to go out when you see them going to potty.
If you are training your dog to go outside from the start then the same rule applies, but instead of taking your dog to a pad, you take it outside on the grass.
You will learn the warning signs of when your dog is going to potty in your house (sniffing the ground, doing circles etc) and you will know that it is looking for the 'best spot' to potty, this is the time to rush your pup outside.
If your dog has an accident on your floor do not rub it's nose in it or hit it, just simply say "no" in a growly voice and move it to where it is supposed to go.
And this one is for crate training...
Selecting a crate.
A dogs crate should be large enough for the dog to stand up in, turn around easily and be able to lay down comfortably.
Crates come in all shapes and sizes so shop around for one that best suits your dogs size.
I personally prefer to use all wire crates as to the plastic pet pack varieties as even though the plastic crates have ventilation they can become very hot.
When you leave, no matter how long for always have fresh water available, D-shaped water bowls are great for crates, they are shaped like a D and the flat part has clips to secure to the wire and prevent spills.
Toys are also a wonderful training tool as it will keep the dog distracted, I use kong toys stuffed with yummy food as a cure for boredom, having special toys or treats that the dog gets only when you go out are also a wonderful idea, it shows them that the crate is a good thing, not a punishment.
Another good idea for crates is to cover it with a blanket or sheet. You can leave the front open so the dog can see but having a blanket over the sides and back makes the dog feel more secure than a wire crate out in the open.
Another reason I prefer wire crates, you can adjust the covering to suit the weather.
When crate training my dogs I first coax them into the crate with a yummy treat, I let them eat the treat in the crate and play with a toy in there. Once they are comfortable with being in the crate I give them another treat then lock the crate and then go sit away from the crate and ignore the puppy.
I only sit down for a minute or two, just long enough so that the dog does not bark or cry.
I then walk over and let them out of the crate and give them praise for not crying.
Letting them out only if they are not crying is very important. If you let the dog out of the crate while it is crying it will only teach them that crying makes you come back and let them out.
Next time I sit down for a few more minutes, again only letting them out if the dog is not crying.
Increase the amount of time you sit for and always let them out before the dog starts crying (you will learn how long that threshold is pretty quickly)
This teaches the dog that they are not being left in the crate forever.
A lot of people prefer to leave the house while they are crating their dog to start with, this is purely personal preference, I have tried both and had more success with staying near the dog.
The only attention the dog shoulg get should be an angry "no" from you when it cries to show it that crying is naughty.
Just remember, however loud and hard your puppy is screaming do not let it out of the crate. It will calm down and then it can come out.
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