[itzkirb]

So at night which is better for Henry to sleep in..

Trying to figure out the best place for Henry to sleep...

A. His crate. He barks at around 3am and I take him out.

B. Confined area with bed and doggy litter box. This way he doesn't wake me up and goes potty in the box.

My concern with B is that it doesn't teach him to hold it. He can relieve himself at anytime. Of course, with A I take him out anyway so that doesn't help teach him to hold it either. If I don't take him out he'll pee in his crate.

Henry is about 10.5wks old now. What's the best thing for him and how can I teach him to hold it?

 

[K & G]

Let him sleep in his crate. At his age, he most likely can't hold it all night at this point. Most dogs that young cannot. He'll be able to wait longer as he gets older.

 

[Laxmobster]

I agree with K&G, Henry is still just a baby and doesn't have full control of himself. I definitely recommend the crate because if not, he will wind up in your bed taking over...hehehehe

Good luck with the training!

 

[itzkirb]

oh no, not in my bed, oops. Henry has a little section in the laundry. Just big enough for him to sleep (doggy bed), drink and litter box. I leave him in there for a few hours a day so he can get used to being by himself.

So at night Crate over his little area in the Laundry Room?

 

[Murphys Dad]

I suggest the crate. Keep it in your room so that Henry feels close to you and you can hear him when he needs to go out. He'll need to go at least once during the night at his age. I think it would be easier to just teach him to go outside from the start instead of using the litter box. That's only going to teach him that it's OK to soil in the house. Then you'll have to break him of that habit too. When you take Henry out make sure to take a couple of yummy treats with you. When he does his business, give him a treat and tell him he's a good boy...gush over him like no dog has ever done anything that great ever. He'll quickly learn that going potty outside means treats and praise.

 

[Letty_Monty]

I completly agree with Jen-N-Jersey. When we were training Monty, I made the mistake of just letting him outside by himself while i waited by the door in my pj's! It took alot longer for him to get trained, because he didn't get that immediate praise. By the time he came to the door and got a treat from me, he had forgotten what he had done to deserve it!!

Also, taking him out of his crate when he cries is just going to teach him that crying will get him his way! If the crate is closer to you, then you can just put your hand down and reassure him. With Monty, his crate is right on my side of the bed...i learned to sleep with my hand over the edge of the bed right near him so he knew I was right there! It calmed him down alot at night.

Good luck!!

 

[angelaH]

Sounds like you have been given a lot of good advice. Yes, a crate sounds the best, but in your room.

 

[ktvalentino]

I agree with all of the great advice you have been given already. We have always used crate training with the puppies we have raised, with great success. Our Sam, who will be 11 years old on July 4, still rests in his crate during the day. We leave the door open, of course, and he is free to use the crate as he pleases.

One other benefit of a puppy getting used to a crate is if, later in life, they have a medical issue which requires rest for recovery (even after a spay or neuter), the crate is a safe and secure place to be. This is better for the pup and the humans' peace of mind.

 

[Gingergoose]

I vote for the crate in your room also.

As inconvenient as it is now because he is so young, you want him to ask you to take him out when he has to go.

Since he is only a puppy, he can't hold it in all night so you'll be getting up with him for a while. But the end result is housebreaking and that's the goal.

 

[Lynne]

The best advise I can give is Patience, Patience, Patience.....He is just a baby.....The first 6mo. are the hardest.....they are learning about their own little bodies and they are learning our rules....But with Patience and Consistency....You will get there....