When to start crate training and stop free feeding

• 10-30-2009 2:35 PM

  thetruejuliet22 Joined on 02-15-2007 Posts 77 Points 0

  When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact I have a 2 pound 8 week old pom, and I'm currently free feeding in hopes of avoiding hypoglycemia. I have also been working on crate training during the day by randomly crating him and teaching him that the crate's ok to be held in. And he is fed in his crate with the door open so he knows that's where he's fed, not where he's supposed to eliminate.  He sleeps in there with no issues during the night, as well as taking naps in it during the day, but always with the door open. During the night, his crate door is left open with potty pads on the floor so he can relieve himself OUT of the crate...but when would be a good time to start closing his crate for the night? This would also mean taking his food out of his crate for the night, and I don't want to do that until he's past the risk of becoming hypoglycemic. Thanks for the help! My Teddy Bear http://happypawstraining.webs.com

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• 10-30-2009 3:04 PM

  In reply to thetruejuliet22

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 5,927 Points 710	Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact   I keep them in a crate, door shut, starting the first night.  I don't free feed pups or adults.  I feed puppies three times a day until about 4 months of age.  If he's used to sleeping in the crate with the door open, I don't think it will bother him much to sleep with it closed.
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• 10-30-2009 3:24 PM

  In reply to JackieG

  thetruejuliet22 Joined on 02-15-2007 Posts 77 Points 0

  Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact JackieG:   I keep them in a crate, door shut, starting the first night.  I don't free feed pups or adults.  I feed puppies three times a day until about 4 months of age.  If he's used to sleeping in the crate with the door open, I don't think it will bother him much to sleep with it closed.    My only concern with that is that he can't hold it all night, and I don't want him to get used to going to the bathroom in his crate... My Teddy Bear http://happypawstraining.webs.com

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• 10-30-2009 3:26 PM

  In reply to thetruejuliet22

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,876 Points 3,330

  Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact Man, I would not be training him to elminate on a pad -- but that's MY way.  I would be taking him out ON LEASH during the night (otherwise you aren't encouraging him to learn to 'hold it' longer and longer) -- particularly with a puppy I wanna know what's going on, and I want to know *when* they're going (and making sure they aren't cleaning up their own 'mess' to be honest) Bottom line -- I always *always* have the dog in my bedroom - just too many things can go wrong and they can learn too many 'wrong' things if you can hear them and know exactly what's going on.  Puppies take a while before they can even approach sleeping thru the night -- and this one is very very young to be away from momma yet.  I would begin to crate train absolutely now -- you do that by simply beginning to close the door while he's busy in there (food, treats, etc.) so that he doesn't even *notice* that he's in there.  Never let him out when he barks -- don't reward bad behavior.  And honestly -- I never free feed.  Not even a tiny puppy -- I'd want to KNOW when he eat, because when he eats he'll elminate.  Sleeplessness is part of the price we pay for puppy breath.

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• 10-30-2009 3:28 PM

  In reply to thetruejuliet22

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,876 Points 3,330

  Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact thetruejuliet22: My only concern with that is that he can't hold it all night, and I don't want him to get used to going to the bathroom in his crate... You don't want him going in the house willy nilly either -- you WANT him to wake you up to go out.  It's the *only* way to housetrain them.  For get it -- you won't get a decent night's sleep for MANY months.   I never paper train them in any way -- I just don't want it ***ever*** to be 'ok' to go in the house.  Not from night #1.

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• 10-30-2009 3:36 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  Jason L Joined on 09-17-2009 Posts 79 Points 0	Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact I agree. I would stop using the pads. It's sending the puppy mixed messages.
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• 10-30-2009 3:40 PM

  In reply to thetruejuliet22

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 5,927 Points 710

  Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact thetruejuliet22: My only concern with that is that he can't hold it all night, and I don't want him to get used to going to the bathroom in his crate...   Of course he can't hold it all night at that age.  You have to keep him in a crate in the bedroom so you can hear him.  As Callie said, free feeding doesn't let you get him on a schedule of elimination.  You will have to get up several times a night to let him out to potty.  Take up the water at eight at night.  Praise and treat when he potties outside.  Teaching him to use pads to save you from getting up at night is setting yourself up for trouble, IMO. The training section has many posts on crate training and housetraining puppies.

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• 10-30-2009 3:45 PM

  In reply to thetruejuliet22

  thetruejuliet22 Joined on 02-15-2007 Posts 77 Points 0	Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact  Okay, that's what we'll start doing then.... Thanks everyone My Teddy Bear http://happypawstraining.webs.com
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• 11-02-2009 7:39 PM

  In reply to thetruejuliet22

  RubyandStewiesmom Joined on 10-24-2009 Rockford, IL Posts 64 Points 40

  Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact I know a lot of people have great success with puppy pads...but ick...I've never used them, and both my dogs have been able to make it through the night starting around 4 months.  At about 3 months they were able to make it about 5 hours...so I'd only get up once at night.  I start out the first night shutting the crate door, and never use potty pads.  Eliminating that close to his crate is not a good idea in my opinion.  I'd start by taking the pads away asap...and shutting the door whenever he is going to be in there and you are not right around him.  That's just my opinion...and I'm hoping you get a great response from someone who likes puppy pads...I've heard they work...but they grose me out! lol I dare you to try and take my Pitties away! Say No to Breed Specific Legislation! Ruby: Red Nosed Pitbull DOB: 10/1/2008 Stewie: American Bulldog/Pitbull mix DOB: 7/4/2009 Louis: Snarky Black Cat DOB: 3/9/2004

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• 11-03-2009 2:53 AM

  In reply to RubyandStewiesmom

  grab01 Joined on 09-10-2007 middle of the desert Posts 1,455 Points 0

  Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact Yep, as others have said, I always get up with pups during the night (and I do love my sleep, but it has to be done) My pups have always whined when they have to go, but if you're worried about not hearing any whining, you can set an alarm to wake you a few times during the night.  You should fairly quickly see a pattern as to how often she needs to go. I don't free feed, but I always gave my small breed pups three small meals a day, plus treats during training in between. I shut the crate door from night one.

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• 11-03-2009 8:58 PM

  In reply to thetruejuliet22

  Chuffy Joined on 12-17-2006 UK Posts 7,402 Points 145	Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact  Close the crate, lose the pee pads, go to bed late, get up early and have at least one wee break per night until you are sure he can hold it till morning "Give a man a fire and he is warm for a day, but set fire to him and he is warm for the rest of his life." - Pratchett, "Jingo"
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• 11-05-2009 4:21 PM

  In reply to thetruejuliet22

  thetruejuliet22 Joined on 02-15-2007 Posts 77 Points 0

  Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact  Update: I have done away with pee pads and he's sleeping through the night in his crate with the door closed already! we put him to bed around 10 or 11 and my fiancee wakes up to let him out at about 6:30 in the morning... he's doing GREAT!  Accidents are to a major minimum too, I monitor him closely to watch for signs he might need to go outside....and we're not free feeding anymore either, we feed him 3 times per day and he's doing really well. He's been easier to get adjusted to crate training and sleeping through the night than my aussie was lol.... Thanks for everyone's input it was really helpful :) My Teddy Bear http://happypawstraining.webs.com

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• 11-07-2009 10:54 AM

  In reply to thetruejuliet22

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 11,729 Points 1,020

  Re: When to start crate training and stop free feeding Reply Contact  Glad you are having success.  Just, FYI, though, while I generally agree that free feeding is not good for most dogs, I don't have a problem with doing it for very small toy dogs in puppy hood.  Most do very well when they are switched to scheduled feedings as adults.  All toy pup owners should learn to recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia, and have some Nutri-Cal, or Karo syrup, and Pedialyte on hand just in case. Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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