How to Housebreak Your New Puppy

The Crate Training Method

So you have a new puppy! You've got the right puppy food, the right veterinarian and have him set up in his new happy home. Does your new friend know where the bathroom is? A challenge that faces all new puppy owners is house breaking. Puppies don't come into this world knowing exactly  where their masters expect them to go and it's your job to lovingly get them over this hurdle. Before your train your puppy you have to be trained yourself. Knowing how to handle your puppy to make their first real learning experience a successful one is key.

There are a few methods on house training and knowing which one suits you and your puppy is critical. Crate training is a method used for people who simply cannot devote their entire day to the puppy. Let's face facts - people work. You can still successfully train your puppy even if you can't be at his beck and call 24/7. The idea behind crate training is very simple. You'll want a crate (or dog cage) no larger then your puppy's bed because in short dogs will not generally defecate in their sleeping environment. Crate training uses a dog's instincts to your advantage. If your dog is a large breed and his puppy size is much smaller then his adult size you can purchase a crate large enough for him to grow into and a divider to make it small enough for now. A crate too large for you puppy will often result in him making his own 'bathroom area' in the crate on the opposite side of the cage from where he sleeps.


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