The Humane Society recommends using a crate to house train your dog.
Training a dog to relieve itself outdoors can be a time of frustration and challenge for both the dog and the owner. To limit the amount of stress during this learning period, the Humane Society of the United States recommends the use of a dog crate to house train your dog. Dogs instinctively prefer den-like structures and will not relieve themselves where they sleep when it can be helped. When done correctly, house training your dog with a crate can be a rewarding experience for both of you.
Instructions
1. Choose an appropriate dog crate for your dog. Crates come in hard plastic, such as those used for flying, metal collapsible models and fabric mesh ones with metal framework inside the fabric. The crate needs to be just large enough for your dog to stand up in and turn around in when it is full grown.
2. Put the crate in an area of the home where family members spend a majority of time. Place a soft blanket inside so it completely covers the floor of the crate. Remove the crate door if possible or least just leave it open, so your dog can explore the crate on its own.
3. Encourage your dog to enter the crate with a happy, upbeat voice. Use treats if you must at the entryway of the door. Keep placing treats toward the back of the crate until your dog goes inside on its own. Getting the dog used to the crate could take minutes or days, depending on the disposition of the dog.
4. Feed the dog in its crate and leave the dog inside the crate for about 30 minutes afterward. Carry the dog from its crate to your yard and wait for the dog to potty. Praise the dog with a happy voice and a small treat when it does.
5. Take the dog to the designated potty area every time you let it out of the crate and do not come inside until the dog has finished. Dogs will have a bowel movement about 30 minutes after finishing a meal, so plan for this during your daily routine depending on how often you feed your dog.
6. Take the dog out about every two hours until the two of you have established a routine both of you are comfortable with. Keep track in a notebook of the times of day your dog relieves itself and plan outings in the yard or walks around these times.
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