2-4 hours max for an 8-12 wk old puppy – basically about 1 hour per month of age – the majority can go 6-8 hours at night (once they’re on a proper schedule).
INCLUDED BELOW: are a few example potty training schedules you can use to “potty train” or housebreak your puppy in 7 days – 2 weeks may be a more realistic goal.
These 7-14 day potty training schedules may seem a little restrictive and I agree, they are strict but thats the point and they’re meant to be used SHORT-TERM!
The goal is to get them on a STRICT eating/eliminating and sleeping schedule QUICKLY. Get them going potty outside at regular set times, learn how to communicate a “potty que” to you and eventually be able to leave the crate door open!
Teaching them to use hanging potty bells on the door or better yet giving them access to a doggy door can also help speed up this process.
Each puppy is unique and will react differently to crate training. Some will be easier then others. Most Puppies will CRY at first and some puppies are way more dramatic, so try to introduce your puppy to the crate slowly, the first day home is best but it’s never too late to start (first time should be during the day when you’re not as sleepy).
Make sure you STAY consistent with the training, eating, drinking, sleeping, playtime schedule you choose and the sooner you get them on one, the faster potty training will go.
They will be fine just sleeping on the plastic crate tray for now and maybe a stuffed toy to cuddle with instead. I bet they also won’t want to pee in there anymore.. because it’s not absorbent and will get all over them, some super young puppies won’t care about that though either.. just know that will all pass with age.
If you’re home all day, the crate training schedule can be much more lenient, you basically want to limit crate time to 1 hour per month of age (during the day) so for an 8 week old – 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
The point of the schedule is to get their bodies adjusted to eating/eliminating/sleeping on schedule which makes your life a whole lot easier.
Also teaching them to hold their potty, coming in and out of the crate on command and most importantly learning to be alone and how to self soothe! Something younger puppies are not used to yet.
* Puppy may still wake up in the middle of the night to go potty the first two nights while their bodies adjusting to the new schedule. If they go both pee and poop by 10-11pm and their last meal was at 5pm, then they should be able to make it through the night by the 3rd or 4th night. No problem.
FIRST COUPLE DAYS: Write down how long it takes for your puppy to actually go potty and then adjust your schedule accordingly. Maybe they go potty 40 mins after they eat/drink instead of 20. Every puppy is different. Gotta figure yours out.
If you work full-time, it’s ideal to either hire a dog walker or have a friend/neighbor come let your puppy out for a midday potty break/playtime. Eight hours is a lot for puppies under 4 months old. If you can’t find someone, then using the crate & x-pen setup would be best.. Read my page on: Dog Crates and Puppy X-Pen Setups
Crate Training Timetable for 2-6 month old puppy, eating 3x a day – Owner Works Full-time
* Puppy may still wake up in the middle of the night to go potty for the first 2 nights, while their body is still adjusting to the new schedule. If they went both pee and poop by 11pm and their last meal was at 9pm, then they should be able to make it through the night by the 3rd or 4th night.
FIRST COUPLE DAYS: Write down how long it takes for your puppy to actually go potty and then adjust your schedule accordingly.
Until you figure out your puppies elimination schedule just keep following the Potty Training Schedules above, basically let them out every couple hours while also watching for gotta go potty clues – like circling, sniffing and whining. Once you have them on a set schedule, this all becomes much easier to predict and you can leave them out of the crate for even longer.
Every puppy is different, some go right after they eat (within 10-20 mins), while others may take 30-40 mins (or even longer).
Some puppies only poop 1x a day, while others may go 3x to 5x a day. Depending on several factors like diet, stress, exercise.
* WRITE IT DOWN IN A NOTEBOOK WHENEVER THEY ACTUALLY GO – THEN YOU CAN FIGURE OUT YOUR PUPPIES ELIMINATION SCHEDULE – AND EDIT THEIR CRATE TRAINING SCHEDULE ACCORDINGLY
DO NOT leave food and water out all day. Put them on a set feeding schedule and stick to it.
If puppy doesn’t eat or just nibbles, this can be due to the stress of a new environment or even crate training the first week home, just keep feeding them at your set mealtimes. Eventually, they’ll adjust and they’ll also learn to eat when it’s time to eat.
A puppy that’s allowed to graze all day, will also pee and poop all day!
Leaving food and water out 24/7 will make potty training near impossible, they won’t be able to hold their bladder in the crate and you’ll be totally clueless when they might need to go.
Teach your puppy the basics as well as some fun tricks. And don’t forget to give them lots of positive reinforcement with verbal praise and treats.
Get down to your puppy’s eye level, talking to them in a happy & upbeat tone of voice. Teaching your puppy the “watch me” command will also encourage great eye contact and bonding.
READ MORE: The Importance of Early Puppy Socialization and the Different Stages of Puppy Development
You should start training basic obedience commands like sit, down, come, leave it, watch me as soon as you bring puppy home! Just make sure each training sessions is reasonably short and include lots of WINS for your puppy and you’ll be surprised how fast puppies can learn!
An 8-12 week old puppies attention span is still pretty short. Training sessions should last no longer than 15 mins at a time. You don’t want to loose your puppies attention or bore them, it should be fun for both of you!
You want every training sessions to end on a high note and a big win for your puppy!
Puppies can learn simple obedience commands very quickly, for example you can teach an 8wk old puppy to “sit” in literally one or two – 10 min training sessions, using only treats and hand signals!
Whatever commands you choose to teach, be consistent, always use the same verbal command and hand signals.
Puppies seem to learn hand signals super easy, even faster then a verbal command, but you can train using both and eventually they’ll both click.
Take advantage of this age! Puppies are like little sponges the first 4 months! Do not wait until they’re older, the best time is definitely NOW!!
Place a blanket or towel in the crate so that the bottom of the crate is soft and comfortable and the fabric can be easily cleaned if the puppy has an accident. Ensure that the crate is large enough for the puppy to easily lie down, stand, sit up, and move around. Since the puppy will grow quickly, a larger crate is typically a good option, especially for large breeds. Place a few dog toys in the crate for the puppy to play with.
Take the puppy outside immediately after removing it from the crate. An 8-week-old puppy should be taken outside for a potty break every 1 to 2 hours. The puppy is not yet old enough to control the need for constant bathroom breaks. Owners should put the puppy in the crate for a few minutes every hour or so until the puppy is accustomed to the crate and place the puppy in the crate when they are at work or unable to watch the puppy. If leaving the puppy in the crate for extended hours, place the crate in a bathroom or small room with newspapers or similar items on the floor and leave the crate door open. The puppy will have a space for using the bathroom without making a mess of the crate.
Avoid putting food and water in the crate with the puppy, which may be knocked over and have to be cleaned up, which is unpleasant for both the puppy and the owner. If the puppy is in the crate for an extended period, put up a water bottle instead. The bottle is hung so that the puppy can have a drink when thirsty but is not in the way if it moves around.
Place the puppy in the crate at regular intervals, such as at the puppy’s nap time. The puppy should spend about 1 to 2 hours in the crate during the day. This gets it used to the crate quickly. Remove the puppy’s collar whenever it is placed in the crate to avoid its catching on anything and choking him.
A new puppy that is weaned, around 8 weeks old, is too young to avoid crate training. A crate is a personal space for the puppy that can provide security and comfort when it no longer has its mother. In addition, it can prevent accidents. Crate training can play a vital part in adjusting a new puppy to its home environment, making the puppy feel secure, and giving it a small area of personal space.
How to make crate training fun and easy for you and your puppy
Welcoming a new puppy into your home is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences in any pet parent’s life, but it’s not without some challenges. From puppy-proofing your home to scheduling training sessions, puppies need a lot of care.
One way you can make things easier on yourself is by crate training your puppy. While naysayers claim that crating your dog is cruel, studies show that crate training your pup keeps her from causing mischief while you’re away and can also help your new fur baby feel safe and secure in her new home. Contents
We’re here with expert advice to get you and your puppy off on the right foot with crate training. Here’s what you need to know.
Steps to Puppy Crate Training the Positive Way!
Found the perfect crate? Great! It is time to make your hound love it before you can start on the puppy crate training schedule. To do this, place the crate in a comfortable place for you and your dog. Open the door of the crate and toss a treat inside. Keep the door open and let your pooch explore it. Do this several times until your pet goes in an out easily and without hesitation after a treat. Then, it is time to start training the commands âGo inâ and âOutâ.
FAQ
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