Need advice for crate and pad training PLEASE!!!!

JustynaH · Dec 10, 2016

Hi. We brought our puppy Sadie home 2 days ago. She was so scared and confused on day 1 that she just wanted to be held but then she started peeing and pooping everywhere. I also caught her eating her poop

We are first time puppy owners so I would really appreciate some advice on crate and pee pad training. We bought a play pen, crate and a lot of pee pads. I made her 2 areas that are accessible for her, one area to pee/poop. I'll attach a picture. Our problem is how do we start? How do I teach her what area is for what? If somebody could please point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.

Goingmad · Dec 10, 2016

Are you sure she was eating,not sniffing? How many times do you feed her a day?

Your set up is very nice but maybe too big of area for a small pup. How old is she by the way?

JustynaH · Dec 11, 2016

I'm pretty sure she was eating it &#55357;&#56853; I follow the instructions on the dog food, I give her twice a day 1/4 cup. She is 12 weeks old and very tiny.

After day 1 of this set up I figured it is to big so I completely got rid of it. She hated to be in that play pen. She has a crate and the pee pads close to it. It definitly works better than the old set up. I started writing down when she does when and I try to look for signs that she has to pee/poo like sniffing the floor.
She prefers pooping on the rug. Do you react when you catch her in the act or do you just clean it up and put her on the pee pad? She pees and poops many time but always only a little.

Jakeyjake · Dec 11, 2016

A 12 week old pup should be fed three times per day. Young puppies need to toilet as soon as they wake up from the night, or from a nap. They will also need to go again after eating or drinking, and after rigourous play. I don't think reacting over accidents does any good. It is just a matter of time and consistentcy to train them. Also LOTS of praise when she does go where you want her to. I trained mine by taking them out to some fake grass on the side of our house and told them "go potty". Sorry about the poop eating. Thankfully we don't have that problem. She might grow out of it though.

Cbrugs · Dec 11, 2016

A puppy that young should also get fed more than half a cup a day.
[MENTION=600]Jakeyjake[/MENTION] gave good advice on the potty training. The key is consistency!

JustynaH · Dec 11, 2016

Thanks for the advice. I will fed her 3 times a day from now on. We live in a 2nd level apartment so unfortunately only pee pads are the only option for now.

Goingmad · Dec 12, 2016

I feed my pup (Cafe), 3 times a day and i adjust the portion base on the stool. Something I read from internet; if the stool is firm, i would increase the portion. If it's runny/soft, I decrease the portion. Hopefully when your pup has full stomach, she wouldn't find other stuffs interesting enough to eat.

As for pooping on the rug, or anywhere else he shouldn't be, I would immediately give him a firm NO and try to remove him. I have had Cafe for 1 and half month now and he is starting to pick up on where he can go without being harassed and would get rewards after. Of course, there were some accidents but I think it's normal.

Hope my experience is useful.

JustynaH · Dec 12, 2016

Sadie's stool is firm but I thought that is good. Today we start feeding her 3× a day.
She went a couple of times to the pee pad by herself yesterday and this morning, made me very proud

Goingmad · Dec 15, 2016

JustynaH said:
Sadie's stool is firm but I thought that is good. Today we start feeding her 3× a day.
She went a couple of times to the pee pad by herself yesterday and this morning, made me very proud ��

good stuff!

JustynaH · Dec 16, 2016

Sadie is doing better with the pee pad training but she hates the crate. She poops in it and cries her brains out. Am I doing something wrong

? Her crate is not to big, she has a comfy blanket in it and toys, I also fed her in it. Any suggestions or tips how to get her used to it?

Cmtwinmama · Dec 20, 2016

We had a poop eating pup and added either pineapple or pineapple juice and it stopped immediately. As far as crate training do not let her out while she is making a fuss. She will learn very quickly that that works. Wait until she settles down before you let her out. Also she is insecure, her whole world turned upside down. She will soon figure it all out.

JustynaH · Dec 26, 2016

:up::up:Thank you I was reading about that but wasn't sure if it really works. Some people suggested pumpkin. I will try Pineapple tomorrow. How much are you putting in the food? Do you have to continue doing it or should I stop after a while?

JustynaH · Dec 26, 2016

Cmtwinmama said:
We had a poop eating pup and added either pineapple or pineapple juice and it stopped immediately. As far as crate training do not let her out while she is making a fuss. She will learn very quickly that that works. Wait until she settles down before you let her out. Also she is insecure, her whole world turned upside down. She will soon figure it all out.

Thank you I was reading about that but wasn't sure if it really works. Some people suggested pumpkin. I will try Pineapple tomorrow. How much are you putting in the food? Do you have to continue doing it or should I stop after a while?

Cmtwinmama · Dec 26, 2016

Our girl is only 4.5 months old so we are still adding pineapple juice. I pour approximately 1 tablespoon in each feeding. Not sure how long I need to continue. At least a month and see what happens.

JustynaH · Jan 18, 2017

Cmtwinmama said:
Our girl is only 4.5 months old so we are still adding pineapple juice. I pour approximately 1 tablespoon in each feeding. Not sure how long I need to continue. At least a month and see what happens.

How is it going with your pup? Do you still give her pineapple juice?
We tried for-bid what didn't work. We been putting pineapple juice in her food, like you told me, and it seems to be working. We only started a few days ago but we are hoping it will work out

davidh · Jan 18, 2017

Your setup look great. We do something similar to that with our pups. We have a wire crate with their bedding in it, and a play pin attached to it so they can come out and play and do their business. Bedding in the crate, pee pads in the play area. We use the cotton washable pee pads that have a moisture barrier on the bottom. They work well and the pups don't play with them, as they will with the paper ones. Great that you are feeding three times a day, do that until around 6 months of age, then switch to twice a day. We use the poop gauge for how much food to feed. Feed enough until they get soft serve poop, then back down just a little to firm it up, them feed that amount, and gradually increase as they get older. I like to make sure my pups get plenty of food while they are growing. Just watch when thy get around 7 months of age, as you may need to decrease the amount if they start to get over weight.