You’ve just gotten your new puppy, the cutest puppy in the world! Or, maybe you’ve chosen a slightly older, more mature dog, which has the sweetest temperament towards every member of your family including the cat and the baby. CONGRATULATIONS!

Does your puppy or dog know how to go potty?

After 24 hours, maybe less, your answer may be a resounding, “Boy oh boy….does he ever!” “Under the table, behind the chair in the living room, in my daughter’s bed!!!!” These are just some of the comments we’ve had from K9U Members as they discover this adorable pup they already love has NO CLUE about the niceties, the expected behaviors, of going to the bathroom. This can be especially frustrating and confusing when the pup is slightly older, 6 months to 2 years of age or even older!!! “They said he was housebroken!!!” is sometimes the cry, “she was going outside, but now has gone in the house for the last 3 days!” ...

Take your dog out:

-First thing in the morning
-Within 5-10 minutes AFTER EVERY MEAL
-Immediately AFTER EVERY NAP
-Take your dog out after being played with for awhile. This is very stimulating to many dogs and they will need to eliminate soon after something exciting happens.
-Take the dog out on an average of every 1/2-hour to an hour. You might want to keep a log on this to determine just how often he needs to go from how many times you can get him to eliminate when you take him outside.
-Before taking the dog outside, say to him, "wanna go potty?" and bring him outside ONLEASH to your designated spot. KEEP TREATS ON YOU 24 HOURS/DAY. Within a half second after your dog begins to pee or poop in the right spot, immediately give him a treat and praise him to the skies. You can reward good house training behaviors by then letting him run around outside with you or taking a walk. Throw him a puppy party ANYTIME he eliminates in his spot. Puppy doesn't get to play or take a walk unless he eliminates. When you return from playing or walking, ask your puppy again if he has to potty before coming back inside the house.
-When you've established a fair amount of success in getting the dog to go in this spot, begin putting a command word on the behavior. For example, when you bring the dog to his spot, as he starts to eliminate, say your phrase, like "go potty." Then reward him with a treat when he's finished. Don't rush giving him the treat because he might interrupt what he's doing in order to get that treat!
-If you can't keep your eye on him ALL THE TIME, (1) put him in his crate, or (2) tether him to your waist with his leash or long-line.
Watch him for certain signals that he may have to go: (1) sniffing the floor, (2) looking a bit anxious or worried, (3) coming to you and just staring at you, (4) preparing to squat or lift leg, (5) behaving like a lunatic or being unusually obnoxious. Don't expect him to indicate unt ...

Whether you have an adult dog, or a new puppy, teaching him how to use a doggie door will be done the same way. When you install your doggie door, make sure you measure the "rise" of your dog (the measurement from the floor to the lowest part of your dog's chest or stomach). This measurement tells you where to place the "bottom" of your doggie door. The bottom of your doggie door should be an inch or two lower than the "rise" of your dog. If you have a puppy you will need to install the doggie door flush with the ground; and you will need to re-install it at higher intervals as your puppy grows. Another option is to take an educated guess as to how tall your dog will eventually be, install the doggie door at the appropriate height, and construct a "puppy-ramp" so your puppy can reach the doggie door and go through it comfortably. Pet Doors U.S.A. has a great web page just on how to measure your dog for a doggie door.

Once the frame of the doggie door is installed in a wall or door, leave the "flap" off at first. Have someone stay inside with your dog while you go outside. Call your dog through the "hole" (doggie door frame without the flap). When he goes through and comes to you, praise him lavishly and give him a food treat. Now have the person inside the house call him through the "hole." When he gets to them, they should praise lavishly and offer a food treat as well. Do this at least 3 times and no more than a dozen. After this, your dog will know there is a hole in the wall or the door especially for him. ...

If you have not yet begun crating your puppy or dog, realize that "The Crate Alternative" is also an option.


Crates are very good training tools. Not everyone needs to use a crate for their dog, but everyone who has trained their dog to use the crate should also, at some point in time, wean their dog from his crate. This does not mean that your dog will never be able to use his crate again, many dogs find their crates to be a secure refuge and if that is the case with your dog you should always have his crate accessible for him. Other dogs never miss being in their crate, they soon never step foot in their crate again after being weaned. If your dog doesn't miss being in his crate, feel free to give it to a friend or donate it to your local humane society after your dog has demonstrated no need for the crate.

This brings us to the title of this article, how do you wean a dog from his crate? ...

Many people ask me about crate training, is it good or bad, and how to do it.

I have never used a crate with any of my dogs. I've never purchased one and don't intend to. This doesn't mean that I believe crates are "bad." A crate can be a useful training tool for your new puppy or dog. However, crating a dog or puppy is usually not my first recommendation as it is with many dog trainers. Read more and find out why.

What is the best thing for my puppy? A crate? If you were home all day, and wouldn't leave his side, no. But most people aren't home all day, and if they are, they are busy so crating their pup is a solution that is most convenient for the "people." Crating you puppy keeps him out of mischief when you are not home, which can save your house from being chewed up, as well as keep the pup safe from hurting himself. ...