Crate training a miniature schnauzer puppy

Question
QUESTION: I plan to crate train my puppy once we can bring her home at 9 weeks old.  I have been reading a book "how to raise a puppy you can live with".  Your thoughts on that book and any other good sources as I prepare for a new puppy?  Second, how do I handle the nighttime...how often can I expect to take her out to go potty or can they hold it that long?  Thank you!

ANSWER: The paperback, "How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With" by Rutherford and Neil, is an EXCELLENT book for any new puppy owner, and it is one that I always recommend. You might also want to check out my webpage, http://britmorschnauzers.com. My "Links" page will take you to many other great resources.

Night time... I feed my young puppies twice a day, with the second feeding between 4-6 PM (earlier is better than later). I cut off all water after 8 PM to help the puppies get through the night, and let them out one last time before I go to bed. If a puppy starts to fuss during the night, I get up and let it out quietly, and then put it back into its crate. Here I start housebreaking at five weeks, weather permitting, and mine are usually going through the night by 7-8 weeks of age (about 6-7 hours). At nine weeks, a puppy probably needs to go outside every 30-40 minutes if it is running around and playing, but crated, it is probably good for about three, maybe four, hours at the most. If the puppy has to be confined for any length of time, it is almost better to put it in an exercise pen with a small crate in there with the door removed. Papers can be put at one end for it to potty on, with food and water at the other.

Have fun with the new puppy! Gotta love that puppy breath...

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you!  I checked out the links on your webpage- good information too.  About how long do your mini schnauzers fit in the VariKennel 100, at what age do they usually go to the VariKennel 200?

Answer
Here I usually just start them in the larger crate, and block the back of that crate with a box or something to make the crate smaller, if I need to. By the time I separate my puppies, they are usually good in a crate, other than the initial yowling due to being suddenly alone, since they somewhat understand the concept of going outside and holding it when confined. Not much point in having a crate that will be outgrown if you only have one dog, and most puppies will probably be out of a smaller crate at 4-6 months, depending on their ultimate size.