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Crate Training / Potty Training
Housebreaking Tips for your new puppy ~ and ~"Puppy Go Potty" - Litter Box Training for Dogs!
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"A Guide for Raising Your Puppy" by Dr. Jim Humphries, Director of Veterinary Medicine from a brochure available in Pet Works pet store. (This method is highly recommended by our store staff for potty training your new puppy.)
Why Puppies need to feel secure.
Dogs in the wild live in a den which provides protection and a great deal of psychological satisfaction. All dogs, therefore, have a strong natural tendency to seek out this type of shelter.
In your home, if your dog has no place to call his own, he will make feeble attempts to curl up under a table, a chair or some other choice location.
When you use a Crate Home, you give your puppy a place to feel secure and something to get his back up against. He won't feel isolated because the pet home provides essential visibility and ventilation just like a baby in a playpen.
This type of training will also be taking advantage of his natural instinct to keep his home clean; therefore, when he has to "go" he will try to hold it until you can take him outside to the other area.
Chihuahua "Stevie B" sleeps in his medium-sized crate that he loves. This is his own space where he is always comfortable and safe.
Training in a crate will teach him a schedule and help him eliminate accidents.
In a Crate-type Home, your puppy will have fewer behavioral problems like excessive barking and chewing.
Most of all, by providing him a safe and secure home, he will be happier and more self confident.
How to use a Crate-type Pet Home.
Step 1: Acquaint your puppy with his new home.
Simply start from early puppyhood and have your puppy sleep and rest in his home. Almost without trying, he will train himself to seek security and comfort inside his little "dog room".
Encourage your puppy to go into his home on his own. If necessary, toss a little treat in the home. DON'T FORCE HIM! He may quickly back out or be shy, but that's normal. Just take it slowly. At first, don't close the door on him. Let him go in and out on his own.
Once he is happy and unafraid of his new home, simply restrain him at the door with your hand. Make him stay in the home for a few minutes, then gradually increase the time and be sure to praise him.
Once he is comfortable with this, (probably a few hours or days of short training sessions) simply restrain him at the door with the door - again praising him lavishly. Soon he will be secure in his home with the door closed. Slowly you can get further and further away from him, always praising his accepting behavior. Eventually, the pup will sit quietly and sleep in his home with the door closed.
Step 2: Direct his elimination
Understand that little puppies need to "go" about every 2-4 hours. On a schedule, (such as after feeding, before bedtime, first thing in the morning) let your puppy out, teach him the route to the door, praise him at the door and take him out to the part of the yard you want him to use. Very quickly, you are teaching him an elimination schedule that will stay with him for the rest of his life.
As your puppy gets older (4-6 months) you can gradually leave him in his home for longer periods of time because he can "hold it" longer. Soon he can be in his home all day if necessary, until someone arrives to let him out.
DOs and DON'Ts
DO buy a Crate Home large enough for your dog when he grows up. However, if the home is too big when your pup is small, he may eliminate in one corner, then go to another corner to sleep. Divider Panels are available to solve this problem.
DO get your pup used to his new home gradually.
DO supervise your pup anytime he is free in your home. Supervision is what allows you to direct all behavior. Chewing, elimination, barking, and all other behaviors are all dependent on your direction.
DO provide soft, washable bedding in the home so it is comfortable and warm. Make the inside of his home as cozy as you can. Keep it clean and free of debris.
DON'T put housebreaking pads or newspaper in your pet's home. We are trying to take advantage of the natural instinct NOT to go in his home.
DON'T force your new pup into the home for the first time. Plan on taking plenty of quality time with the first few days to get him accustomed to his new home.
DON'T leave your very young pup in his home all day. At 6 weeks, a pup can hold his bladder about 4 hours, be 8 weeks - 5 hours, by 12 weeks - 6 hours and by 5-6 months, a pup should be able to "hold it" for an 8-hour work day.
DON'T let your new pup roam through your house unsupervised. Keep an eye on him so that when he sniffs and circles (an indication he is about to go) you can quickly and gently guide him to the door and outside.
DON'T punish your pup by putting or forcing him into his home. Your pup's home should be his secure place, it should not be associated with punishment, fear or anything negative.
OTHER BENEFITS:
1. Crate Training Controls Chewing. Your puppy can't get to inappropriate objects like furniture or shoes.
2. Crate Training keep your pup SAFE. His home will keep your puppy from under foot when workmen or visitors come over; also, he won't be able to slip out the door.
3. A Crate Home can serve as a Hospital Room or a First-class Cabin - it provides sick or healing pets a private hospital room, or keeps him safe while traveling in your car.
4. Crate Training leads to fewer behavioral problems. When trained in this manner, dogs are more secure, self-confident and easier to train with less chance of nervousness and anxiety.

Crate FanCRATE FANS Help Keep Pets COOL on warm days.

Pet Works carries three sizes of crates: small, medium and large (pictured to right in the display). We also have new puppy kits available that include the crate and starter supplies.
Crate Training for puppies will save your furniture and carpet!
We have Puppy Training and breed-specific books available for purchase at Pet Works
Crate training is humane and saves a puppy from accidentally chewing up something valuable to its human. Being in a crate is not punishment; the crate is the puppy's home!
PUPPY GO POTTY - "litter box training" for puppies and dogs
Puppy Go Potty Puppy Litter Box Training SystemPuppy Go Potty "litter" is made from recycled paper and is shaped like small pebbles. The "litter" also has a scent that will attract the puppy and encourage elimination on the "litter." Puppy Go Potty "litter" is nontoxic and affordable. Puppy Go Potty is the first indoor dog litter system of its kind. Puppy Go Potty is perfect for apartment or condominium living, and it's also great for older or convalescent dogs. Offers a money-back guarantee for puppies if the puppy does not learn how to use Puppy Go Potty within thirty days of purchase. (Note: The money-back guarantee does not apply to adult dogs.) Don't be fooled by "big box" pet supply store imitation brands of indoor puppy litter systems. We recommend only trusting the PREMIER and PROVEN brand, the Puppy Go Potty system. Using a CAT LITTER BOX or other brands of puppy litter is NOT recommended and success will be limited!! Our customers come to us specifically for Puppy Go Potty "litter" and products. Visit Puppy Go Potty.
 
(619) 465-4446 Grossmont Center - 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942
We're not far from downtown San Diego, California - or anywhere in San Diego County! See a map.
Pet Store Hours: 10 am to 9 PM Mon. - Fri.; 10 am to 8 PM on Saturday; and 11 am to 6 PM on Sunday.
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