QuestionMy wife and I just recently adopted a 9 week old female tri color named Zayde and my wife works a regular day job 7-5pm where I work a night schedule 9pm-6:30am. We are attempting to Crate train Zayde to assist with potty training and it has been a week and we are having little success.
I am wondering what would be the best schedule for Zayde to use her crate for sleeping. Right now she tends to sleep in bed with me during the day and I get up every few hours in to play and potty and go back to sleep with her in her crate for the remainder and of course she is still not a big fan of being alone in the crate.
She is on a 3 time a day feeding schedule and water in the morning, again at 2pm and then again 2 hours before bedtime. Zayde gets taken outside about 5-6 times to potty and play a day and my wife has taken her out in the middle of the night if she is woken up.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Aaron
AnswerAaron,
Crates work best during sleep times of late evening or during the day when she is at work. Make it consistent and be firm- don't let the whining cajole you into letting her out. Do give your puppy chew toys and pigs ears to chew on during the crate time.
Think: schedule, consistency and a chewie.
Observation of 3-a day: every time she eats/drinks she will need to go potty. Three times is too much. Focus on two a day feedings and a strict schedule. It sounds like your schedules are very difficult but offer Zayde a lot of time with both of you. It will require extra communication between you on her potty and behavior habits. I would suggest you to feed her when you get home and Mommy to feed her when she gets home as that would be an breakfast and dinner meal. Make sure these portions are small and a good quality puppy food. Only leave the food out for 5 minutes, any extra goes back into the "bag".
Try to remember the puppy's bladder is about half the size of your thumb. She doesn't need a lot of water and will need to potty more often until she grows up more.
If she is pottying in the crate it may be because it is too big. I do advise buying a crate for an adult sheltie but filling the large open space with empty cardboard cola boxes. Leave an area by the door big enough for the pup to curl up in a ball or stretch out. No larger. Dogs are naturally clean and will not want to go potty where they sleep- unless they have been in an abusive situation such as a pet store or puppy mill.
Be patient, try to remember she is a baby and that her body hasn't caught up with both of your needs. You sound like you are trying very hard and that counts for a lot. Keep up the good work and be loving. She will appreciate it.
'sneezes
Dave
