Adopting 9 mth old Bully

Question
Would you be able to outline a good crate training method? I.e. feeding/ watering, walking, etc.   I will be the primary caretaker of the dog, but i leave for work@ 830 and do not come home unti 530. Someone is always home, so it would not be a problem for someone to take him out in the middle of the day to walk/play... I know since he is older he might take a long time to get housebroken, but I am committed to making it work ~

Thanks!



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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I am adopting a 9month old bull in a few weeks. He is not neutered. Is it too late to get that done? Also, the previous owner left him alone in the yard all day, and he is not really housebroken. What would be the best way to potty train him ?

thanks!
-----Answer-----
It is definitely not to late to get this boy neutered. In fact, I suggest you make an appointment now and take him directly to the vet before you bring him home. This will make his transition easier believe it or not. He will leave him home to go to the vet, and you will take him to his new home after the procedure. This is better than taking him home, letting him get settled and then go through the surgery. The sooner you can get that done, the better.

As for housebreaking, you'll need a crate. It will be just like starting with a puppy.  When you're not right there to watch him, he has to be crated. As he catches on and responds to training, you can give him longer stretches out of the crate. Cut him a little slack since it is a new home and he's not responsible for his previous owner's lack of dedication.  Just be patient and consistent with him. He'll catch on albeit a litter slower than a younger puppy.

Answer
OK...let's start from the beginning.

The dog will go in the crate to sleep or when no one is able to watch him, and I mean watch him, not from the next room, but right with him at the start of this.

You'll want to take him out as late as possible at night. Pick up all food and water no later than 6 p.m.  As soon as you're up in the morning, take him out immediately. When he goes to the bathroom outside, praise him greatly. He comes back in, eats, hangs out for a while, maybe gets out one more time before you leave and then back in the crate until around noon. Every time he goes into his crate, toss him a little treat, a small biscuit is fine. Just something that shows he's done a good thing. Then, outside we go again.  Praise all around when he uses the bathroom outside. Back inside to hang out and then in his crate.  Around the time you get home, take him out again, same drill.

Because he is older, he make have instances of "marking" in your home. This should subside once he realizes it's his new home and there's no need to announce that any longer. Because he's been outside a lot, he really should be ok with keeping his crate clean and preferring to go outside to relieve himself rather than in the house.

Just please be patient.  He'll be in a new home with new rules and new people. Once he's neutered, give him a month and I bet you'll have a pretty well adjusted dog. If you ever have any other questions, feel free to email me directly anytime.

Good luck to you.