How Long to be in Crate?

A little puppy cannot stay 8 hours in the crate and hold his bladder/ bowels. If you leave him that long, then the dog has no choice but to soil in his crate. This will defeats the whole process and makes housebreaking very difficult as it confuses the dog. A neighbor or relative might help by taking the puppy out for you during this housebreaking time. If not, then you will have to leave the door to the crate opened and put newspaper on the floor. Sometimes people put a small puppy is in a large crate, and compartmentalize the crate by placing the bed at one end and the newspaper at the other end. This is not, however, the method of choice as it can be confusing to the dog.

It is much safer to leave a puppy in the crate whenever you are not home. This prevents the dog from chewing electrical wires and perhaps causing his own death or chewing up your furniture, rugs, shoes, etc. etc. When he is past the puppy chewing stage, he can be left out in an area which you feel is "dog-proofed."

Once the dog is no longer "confined" to the crate for housebreaking purposes, you will note that he usually still considers the crate his bed. Make sure it is big enough for him to stand, turn and lie down. It is also useful to use when traveling or Fifi to another person's house, or even some dog motels.

Some Other Ideas:
Here are some other ideas from other people you might want to try:

• If you cannot close off an easily cleaned area in your house during the housebreaking period, like the kitchen, with baby gates or pieces of wood, try using a leash. Attach the dog to you as you go around the house. That way, if he begins to act like he has to relieve himself, he'll be right near you and you can quickly respond. (This is better for an older dog)
  
• If the door to your house is not within your sight while you are doing your usual (like you can't see the door from the TV room), some people have hung a bell on a rope by the door. Every time they take the dog out, they ring the bell. Soon the dog rings the bell when he has to go out! The key to housebreaking is consistency and repetition. Any dog can be housebroken.