Crate & Potty Training Help!?!

[Doc and Ozzie]

Doc is almost 7 weeks. We were told to feed/water him at 6am and 6pm and no water after 7pm. When crated for the night cover crate with a blanket. Take him out ever 30-40 minutes during the day and crate no more than 4 hours at a time without potty break except at night. These were the breeders instructions. And we are following them. Although, I am taking him out more like every 20-30 mins.

Doc has already learned to "ask" for water by standing at the kitchen sink and looking up at it. I am wondering if we should be leaving his water bowl out all day or only at 6/6 feedings? He pees constantly. But at such a young age I feel he is already catching on to going outside pretty well. I have a 9 month old baby and feel like a jack-n-the-box carrying the baby on one hip and Doc in the other arm in and out all day. I understand this is a necessary evil for now =) But wondering if he needs water more frequently or if with holding it at times is ok during housebreaking?

His bedtime wire icrate is upstairs in my 14 year old daughter's room who oversee's him when she is home. She puts him in for the night around 9:30-10 covers it.. he cries starting at about 12:30 she takes him out to potty around 1-1:30 then crates for the rest of the night til 6am. He cries from 1:30- 3 or 4am! We have baby blankets and a stuffed bear that smells like his mom/siblings and a shirt of my daughters in there with him. Is it normal for him to cry so long? Should we take him out more than once per night? The breeder said he would be ok without ANY potty breaks overnight.. but he just seems to young to me to do that? So far he has not peed or pooped in the crate.

He has a "daytime" soft crate downstairs in our living room that he naps in and takes breaks in when I can't supervise him and the baby closely. I also have babygated the kitchen for safe playtimes. He is only upstairs at night at bedtime. Wondering if that could be why he is crying so much? It would be difficult for him to sleep downstairs though.. with me getting up twice per night already to nurse my daughter I am sure he would disturbed by that and my daughter would stay awake even longer. 

Ok, sorry, now that I have written a book.. I can only hope someone will take the time to read it =) If you have, thank you! Any tips or advice is welcome on the above issues or anyhting else you can offer me! 

Blessings, Stephanie "Roo" B.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Fudge and Vern were the easiest dogs I ever had in regards to crating. I put the crate next to my side of the bed...no cover...and ended up taking most of the blankets, etc. out by day two because they were just too hot. If they cried or whimpered, I put my fingers in to soothe them and they usually went right back to sleep. I also swear by the Snuggle Puppy. Both dogs seemed to find comfort in having their Snuggle Puppy in the crate with them. This is a time of tremendous bonding with your puppy. I don't believe in letting them cry themselves to sleep. He is very young and needs reassurance. I never restricted water ever...not at night or at day for my pups. Both of my pups seemed to need to go out at least once during the night, maybe twice, and I usually allowed them to sleep with me at the last outing, which was usually around 4 or 5 am. I enjoyed that time of morning best. Just remember you make the rules for your dog. I also let my dogs stay in bed with me while watching TV, etc. and then took them out for their last time around 11 pm before crating. My dogs are the best go to bed dogs ever and we no longer crate them and they are ready for bed now around 8 pm. I think you are wise to increase his feeding times. Twice a day 12 hours apart is far too long for a pup. Good luck.

[Doc and Ozzie]

UPDATE:

We did 4 things differently yesterday/last night:

1. Increased Doc's water intake throughout the day.

2. Only covered the top sides and back of Doc's crate leaving the front open so he could see my daughter (crate is next to her bed).

3. Took up half of the bedding leaving half of the floor uncovered

4. My daughter was prepared to take Doc out to potty at first sound of cry and up to 3 times last night if needed.

He was crated from 10pm-5am.. WITHOUT A SOUND or an ACCIDENT!!!! We did a "Happy Doc" dance this morning!!! Thanking all of you for your advice and God for sending you all our way!

Today we are increasing his food intake from 2 to 3 feedings leaving water out all day and decreasing his potty break interval from 30 mins to 15 mins. My daughter (Gabby) will continue to be prepared at night to take Doc out to potty should he cry.. otherwise she will be on stand-by to comfort him with her voice and presence.

A MILLION THANKS to YOU ALL! 

Sincerely,

Stephanie B.

 

 

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

That is so great to hear!!!   Best of news.   

[Doc and Ozzie]

thank you!

[Jennett Pulley]

AWESOME!!  Doing a happy dance for you!

[Doc and Ozzie]

=))))

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think this is awesome!  There will be "bumps in the road" because Doc is such a young puppy, but I think you're on the right track.

[Doc and Ozzie]

Thanks Jane! I will do my best to soften all the bumps I can!  ;)

[Midge and Gracie]

wow, so happy for you.  The little guy was probably dying of thirst!  This website is so great;  now you are locked in to it.  It will resolve so manyupcoming issues for you.  Welcome to Doodleville!  P.S. You and your daughter need to read Dr. Ian Dunbar's book  "Before and After Getting Your Puppy"  The best book ever....

[Doc and Ozzie]

Thanks Midge, I will check it out

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This news makes me so happy!! I am doing the Happy Doc dance, too :) 

[Doc and Ozzie]

= ))))