I have a five month old Westie and have started crate training him. How long does this process usually take before my puppy should be completely housebroken?

My dog was housebroken by 4 months... it is going to depend on the dog and how long it has been allowed to go wherever it wants.

My adult, who had been a kennel dog her whole life, took a couple of months to become trustworthy in the house. She will still entertain herself with my trash if given the opportunity.

My GSD took about a month and a half. But he was 10 weeks when we got him. He is now very, very trustworthy. He has not had an accident in the house for over a month.

But my Finnish Spitz is only now getting the idea now after 2 months. But she was only 8 weeks when we got her. She keeps her crate dry most of the time, but I don't trust her in the house yet. She's coming around.

Remember to be very conscientious about how long your particular pup can hold it in the crate. The less you allow them to have accidents in the crate, the better. Each time they do their business in the right spot, the more likely they will remember to do it there again. For that reason, I've developed a poopy/pee-pee log that you can print out on your computer. Just leave it by the door and record the pee/poop times and the times of feedings. This will help you gauge how long your pup can hold it. And you can increment according. I've found this took the guess work out. Just write me and I'll be happy to send it to you.

Also remember. Crate trained is different than house-broken (as I've found out). You'll eventually need to give your pup some freedom. Even freedom to fail is a step to learning.

I've also noticed that my Finkie (Finnish Spitz) needs to go several times during a single walk. One nice member mentioned to be that it was because female pups do that sometimes. I have to let her pee, then walk around, she'll pee again and maybe even two more times before she's empty. GSD goes and does it all in one shot. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

As Deanna hinted, crate time has additional rewards to just house-breaking. They learn not to wreck things, how to be quiet and settle-down, etc. Also great whenever you need to travel.

Hope this helps!
DHC

Lori, my new puppy ceasar is now seven months and completly housebroken. Like Deanna, ceasar stopped having "accidents" around 4 months. You just have to keep doing like Ed says use the crate and make sure that when you take the pup outside you praise it for going in the proper location. "Good Outside" works wonders. If you start to notice your pup going to the door ask if it has to "Go Outside?". Caesar now will go directly to the door and sit at it until I take him out.
As far as chewing on things I have only lost one down comforter (which I blame on myself for not watching him closer) just make sure that he has plenty of toys to chew on and make sure that he knows that only chewing on those is acceptable. Kongs and Hard bones eg. cow thigh bone(not rawhides... these can cause digestive problems) work great.
Well good luck... and just have patience. A puppy is like a child and just needs time and teaching.