April 21, 2011

I feel mean when I put my puppy in a crate and let the older dog run loose. Should I put the crate closer to the other dog?

Full Question:
We bought a Mini Dauschand puppy when she was 8 weeks. I also have a standard who is 11 and is not doing so well with her health. We got her about 5 weeks ago. Her living arrangements were very clean and they were well looked after. I did try to crate train her, but I gave up. I wish I would have read your site in the beginning!! Anyways, I messed up! She did pee in her crate and whined constantly, so of course I took the easy way out and put her in bed with my other dog. My older dog we got at 6 months and have never had a problem with her toilet training. The puppy settled at night, but she keeps peeing a pooing in the bed that they sleep in. I have put paper down and sometimes that's hit or miss! I have let her run around the house, with doors closed where I don't want her to go, because my other dog does. My older dog is very quiet and is well behaved, so I thought it would be a good idea for the puppy to see her behaviors and learn from her. I know that sounds stupid now. Anyways, my question is, is it too late to go back now? Should I start putting her back in the crate? My other dog was trained in the crate when we first got her at 6 months, but we took her out at about a year. I feel mean letting my older dog sleep in her bed and have \the puppy in the crate! Should I put the crate by the older dogs bed? They have been sleeping together for the past 4 1/2 weeks. I need to get control of this before it controls me! Also, is it alright to hold the puppy while we are watching TV or like right now, I have her on my lap.? She can't be in the crate all the time. If you could get back to me I'd be very grateful! I don't want my poor dog screwed up because of my stupid mistakes!

Thanks!
Jill
Ed
Ed Ed's Answer:
Its never too late to fix mistakes. It just takes longer. A dog must repeat an exercise 30 times to learn and 90 times to fix a mistake. People lose patience and say that old dogs cannot be trained to learn new tricks.

You have to do what I say in the Q&A - this dog must live 24/7 in the crate - the only time its out is when it is on its way outside and when it comes inside. All interaction with the dog must be done outside for awhile. You also have to get up in the middle of the night to take the dog outside to pee. We are doing this now with a pup at our house - it sucks but it has to be done.

I would recommend you purchase the video I produced titled Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months.

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