Crates for housetraining or not?

[buxtontheblue]

Hello!

Ok So Rocket is 14 weeks now and I'm still not seeing much improvement in housetraining and it's definitely my fault!

I should say first of all he has a crate in a small sectioned off room at the back of the lounge/diner. He goes in his crate at night with the door open (is taken outside to "Go toilet" before) then I come down at 6 and take him out to go toilet again. He's always been dry through the night except for a few Sundays when we had a lie in

Day times are different though.though, due to the fact the weathers nice the back door is open a lot and we often spend all day out in the garden. Which is great as he goes outside and we praise when he does. Trouble is we've got no routine and when the back door is closed on cold days he doesn't get he has to go outside to the toilet and I think I've got complacent and haven't been taking him out enough.

So I was looking at housetraining again and I'm wondering whether he should be crated door closed during the day more.

When he's over excited I do put him in his crate and close the door and he will sleep. Should I be doing this more though? And more on a routine? I found this routine today but it seems a lot of time in crate as he loves to be out with us and the kids.

Any help or advice would be great as I don't think I'm doing a good job at the mo.

[Cheerfulmarybrown]

No need to crate during the day. Just be more vigilant in taking him outside frequently. Praise when he wees in the right place.

If you have confused him and he is still weeing inside then take him out every half an hour to an hour until he has learnt the correct place to toilet.

Ignore any training schedule that says to with hold water

[AwayAndRunUpMaHumf]

I downloaded 'perfect puppy in 7 days' and it was a godsend. Essentially, have the pup with you at all times for a week, be it tethered to your waist on a lead, or crated. As long as they're in the same room as you, and you get to see their signs that they need to go to the toilet. Then take them out and praise and reward once they've gone. My puppy is 17 weeks and in the last 9 days he's had one wee accident at the back door (I was home alone and he was asleep when I went to go into the shower) but he will stand at the back door and whine to get out.

[KatharineClifton]

I'm having the same problem - the outside door has been pretty much open all the time except when they are in the puppy prison, and they don't wee in there. But, keep finding puddles even when the door is open. and on the odd vile day like yesterday wee everysoddingwhere.

[Stinkersmum]

No, crates are not how you toilet train a puppy if you are home with it!!!!! Yes it's time consuming but you have to put the effort in and be vigilant.

[KatharineClifton]

Stinkersmum - I have the time and vigilance. Should I keep the door closed and put them out every half an hour until they stop weeing in the house then?

[basildonbond]

Just out of interest where did you get that routine from OP? I can't see why anyone would want to keep shutting a puppy in its crate all that time ...

Katherine - you need to make more of a difference between inside and outside so I'd keep the garden door closed for now

[Stinkersmum]

Garden door closed, put the puppy out regularly. Praise if it wees, nothing if it doesn't. It will get it. It's tedious but it works best.

[KatharineClifton]

Thank you.