April 21, 2011

Do you consider it acceptable that TEMPORARILY, I confine the puppy to my kitchen with a puppy gate and put some newspaper down?

Full Question:
Dear Cindy,

Warm Greetings from Maryland!

I have a very specific question about Housetraining that only has to do with the time period in a puppy's life when it is very young from 8-12 weeks of age where it has very little bladder control. (I believe you said about 2hrs. or so is max. time between potty-breaks). I know your #1 rule is to teach the puppy to stay clean IN his crate and Rule #2 is for the puppy to learn to go to the bathroom OUTSIDE ONLY. Here is where I'm unsure what to do. Although I will take my 8 week old puppy out in the middle of the night until that time when he can sleep through the night, I will be away during the day time. I am able to go home for lunch to take my pup out BUT the amount of time between potty-breaks will be 4 hours, not 2hrs. Do you consider it "acceptable" that TEMPORARILY, JUST for a few weeks until my puppy can hold for at least 4 hours, that I confine the puppy to my kitchen (easy to clean floor) with a puppy gate and put some newspaper down? If this is OK, MUST he have access to his crate (it's a very small kitchen - the crate would take up most of the space)? Otherwise, I'd just leave a towel or small dog bed for him.

Thank you and Mr. Frawley so much for your kindness in sharing your wealth of knowledge with us "beginners!"

Regards,
Christina
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
If you have to do this temporarily while the puppy is small, then I would use a small area as you have described with a tiny crate or a bed.

It’s not ideal but it’s better than teaching him to use his crate as a bathroom.

Cindy

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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