Terrier Lover

One of the 1st things owners teach their puppies is not to “do their business” in the house.

One very effective method, the one used by most breeders and trainers, is crate training.

Not only can you house-train a puppy using a crate, when it is used correctly, the dog naturally learns to look upon it as its den.

The puppy will seek out the crate when it wishes to rest and not be disturbed.

The crate’s success as a house-training tool is simple:
Puppies will not soil their sleeping area if they can possibly avoid it, but remember, a puppy needs time to play.

Use the crate when you can’t watch your puppy, but don’t overuse it!

Crates come in different sizes and styles. Choose one that will be large enough for an adult dog of your puppy’s terrier breed to lie down, stand up and turn around in with ease.

Many breeders use fiberglass airline crates. Avoid those with zinc nuts and bolts; they can poison a dog if swallowed. Wire crates work well and are fairly portable.

Put the crate in a location close to other family members to lessen the puppy’s anxieties. Move the crate from the kitchen or family room to the bedroom at night, so your puppy will feel like a part of its new family.

Remove the puppy’s collar before it goes into its crate. Then, be prepared for the pup’s first experience with crate training; it will probably whine or cry.

Offer a treat and close the door. Leave the room, but remain nearby.

At the first sign of a separation response, such as barking, whining, or howling, intervene with a sharp “NO!” Your pup should associate the reprimand with its’ actions and stop.

It may take 4-5 times, but it will eventually settle down.

Once the pup’s quiet, keep them in the crate for 30-45 minutes. If they begin to cry, take it outside to relieve itself. Once that’s accomplished, praise the puppy, take it back inside and allow it free time outside of the crate.

If the puppy starts chewing on something other than it’s toys, respond with a sharp “NO!”, take the object away and replace it with a toy.

After 15-20 minutes of playtime, put the puppy back into the crate for a nap, correcting them if they cry.

Your pup learns through association, so consistency should help it accept being in the crate after a few tries.

When it has been quiet for 1 hr or so, repeat the process.

* Tip: Be aware that your puppy will need to eliminate directly upon walking and shortly after eating or playing.

Also, a very young puppy will not be able to hold its urine all night long, so be prepared to take it out during the night as well.

Put your puppy on its leash immediately after letting it out of the crate. Rush the pup to the door or carry them if they’re too small, so you can avoid an accident. Be sure it relieves itself once outside.

* Tip: Never place newspapers on the bottom of the crate as these will encourage the pup to eliminate there.

After you’re sure your puppy isn’t wetting it’s bed, you can give it a towel or blanket, though it may be more comfortable without one.

Gradually lengthen the amount of time your puppy is allowed to play. When it’s 5-6 months old, it should be able to control itself for 1 hr or so between trips outside.

The crate also aids in curbing destructive behavior, such as uncontrolled chewing.

As your puppy matures and shows it can be left loose in the house, give it that privilege.

The crate itself cannot stop your puppy’s needs to chew when it’s teething, so provide it with safe, chewable toys and nylon or rawhide bones. If it continues to chew beyond the teething stage (about 8 months), it’s probably bored. Try to spend more time with your puppy!

By the time your puppy is 8 months old (a bit older for giant breeds), it should be able to walk around the house for most of the day once it has been taken outside to relieve itself.

By 1 year, your puppy should be mature enough to be trusted all night in the house, but keep the crate set up with an “open door policy”, so that they can withdraw and rest when they like. Your puppy will become attached to it’s own private “den” and will look for it for solitude.

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I hope you find this Terrier Training helpful on Terrier Lover! Until next time…

Love Your Terrier,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. Get your own crate for training your puppy:

TheraPet Folding Dog Crate Black 30 x 19 x 22 The Therapet Wire Dog Crate features top quality construction at an affordable price. These sturdy wire crates are made with heavy-duty 6 and 9 gauge wire, at the close spacing of 1-3/4 for safety and security. The long lasting, rust resistant, black powder finish will stand up to years of use. Added safety and convenience features include a durable ABS pan for easy cleaning, smooth, rounded corners, heavy duty clips, and innovative security latches. All crates come with carrying handle (42″ and 48″ crates come with 2 handles) for easy traveling. They fold effortlessly for storage or travel, and set up in a snap! $69.98

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