Welcome to Crooked Creek Doodles & Poodles Training Tips for Dummies

We are passionate about our sweet puppies here at Crooked Creek Doodles & Poodles and are here to help you in the process of bringing your new baby home and teaching them the basics. We pride ourselves on the health, temperament, and exceptional intelligence of our puppies. Below are a few tips to get you on the right track to success in Potty and Crate Training. Additional Training such as bell training, the sit command, and other cute tricks can be also found on this page. We also Partner with Baxter & Bella Online Training School if you wish to do more advanced training for your new puppy.

Potty Training Tips

You’re Probably thinking... Potty Training a puppy can’t be this hard or take this long? You would be correct in that thought too. It should not be that hard and it should not take that long. Now the bad news is there is no magic wand or trick to teach them not to poop or pee all over your carpet. There is good news and that is there are a ton of little tricks that will turn things around for you and you most likely are not using any of them if you are experiencing these types of events.

The following tips are simple and logical. We are going to cover a couple of them so you have a good idea of where to get started.

Puppy Potty Training Tip #1 Stay Calm

First accept the fact that it is you who is responsible. You can't’ expect a puppy to know what to do, it's new to this world and is learning everything for the first time. It is no different than potty training a child. If they do not do it right, you don't take your frustrations out on them, do you? Your dog should be no different.

Becoming angry and shouting at your puppy can actually make this process take much longer and become much harder. You want them to be relaxed and able to follow your commands to potty outside. If they are fearful, they are not likely to listen.

Could you go poop or pee with some angry giant person standing over you staring? How do you think your little tiny puppy feels? You need to be encouraging.

Rubbing your dog’s nose in it if they do it inside is also not at all effective and is old school tactics that just don't work. If you are doing this you have missed the point completely. Would you like your face rubbed in your poop or pee?

Your puppy is peeing or pooping inside because they gotta go. It's not because they are trying to make your life miserable.

If they gotta go and the door is shut well they gotta go, so they do. Rubbing their nose in it doesn't show them where they are supposed to go, does it?

So rubbing their nose in it or yelling at them does not help or teach.

You need to show them. Teach them where to go potty. It’s called puppy potty training for a reason.

Puppy Potty Training Tip #2 Stay Focused

The most important step in potty training a puppy is the biggest mistake most people make. You take your eye off the goal too soon and revert back to yelling or getting angry. You don't have to use treats instead reward with love and praise. We at CCDP use an Octagon Baby Pen to place them outside in the same spot for them to potty and return. You can find it on our Shopping List on our website.

The secret is this…

Keep rewarding your puppy with love and praise every time they go potty in the right place. That's right. Every single time they do it right, reward them. Do this for a long time and keep doing it.

Not much motivates a puppy quicker than being rewarded right after doing their business. Remember immediately after. If you wait more than a couple of seconds the connection is lost. They will not understand they were rewarded for going potty in the right place. When they keep getting rewarded right after going potty in the right place they will quickly make the connection.

That's the Ah-Ha moment for your puppy. They say "I got this, I go pee or poop here.”

The problem is most people only do this for a week, maybe two, and as soon as the puppy starts to understand and make the connection they stop. We forget, get bored, or maybe we just don't want to be bothered at the moment.

Puppy Potty Training Tip #3 The Shag Rug

Think about this scenario for a minute. Your puppy finds a nice piece of your shaggy comfy rug that is not the carpet found elsewhere. This feels nice and a bit like the grass. Looks like a good place to pee or even worse poo!

It's unfortunate for you because your brand new thin, light colored fluffy rug is very hard to get stains and smells out of. Even when cleaned your puppy can still smell the pee and poo so now relates it as a good place to go and before too long your expensive nice rug is a toilet mat.

Guess what the solution is? It’s simple…

Pick it up and put it away. In 4-6 months' time brings it back out at which point it will be in perfect condition with no statins, no marks, and no regrets. Just put it away, otherwise expect it to become an expensive toilet mat.

Puppy Potty Training Tip #4 It Takes Time

You need to remember that puppies are still small and still young. They are still learning and learning takes repetition and time.

Puppy toilet training takes TIME and PATIENCE! Young children can sometimes take 3 years or longer before they get it and you expect your puppy to have it in 1-2 weeks. Cut them some slack, they are a baby animal just like a child.

Take a breath and relax. You can do this and your puppy is perfectly healthy and normal.

Focus on the successes and learn quickly to put the mistakes behind you, great for life in general. Stop for a moment when a mistake happens and think about what you could have done differently and do not beat yourself up over it. Remember to stay focused, it's not forever and you will get this and so will your puppy.

How to Crate Train Your Dog

Key Points:

Crate training isn't "imprisoning" your dog. It gives them their own space and can calm anxiety.
Create positive associations with the crate through the use of treats and games.
Be patient — crate training can take time and consistent training.

We all want a well-behaved dog that doesn’t tear things up and goes to the bathroom outside. Dog Crate training is an important part of that. A crate creates a safe environment for your dog and a space that belongs to them.

While many people view crates through the human lens of being “caged up,” dogs are naturally den animals and most enjoy being in small, enclosed places. A crate provides them with a feeling of security, and when trained to use them from an early age, crates can help calm anxiety.

Tip: Choose the Right Size Crate for Your Dog

Finding the best crate size for your dog is key.

Getting the size we recommend on our Shopping list for your size dog is best. Each Crate comes with a divider that way it can grow with your new puppy.

Tip: Establish the Proper Mindset

Tip: Choose the Right Size Crate for Your Dog

The more dogs associate the crate with a relaxed mindset, the more they'll ultimately enjoy hanging out in there. If you put the dog in the crate when they're playing, then they'll want to come back out and continue to play but if you put them in it when they're calm, sleeping, going to bed then they will likely view it as a place of rest. Start by bringing them in for 10 minutes at a time and work your way up from there.

Don't use beds especially while they are training. They can and will tear it up or use it as a potty spot.

While crates can be used to manage behavior, they should never be used for punishment. For example, putting your dog in a crate with an interactive toy when guests come over to avoid mishaps with food or jumping is more effective than waiting for misbehavior and then putting your dog away. Regardless of the timing, using treats to entice your dog into the crate until they love going in on their own will ensure a positive association with it.

Tip: Keep an Eye on the Time

Your dog needs time outside the crate to play, eat, and use the bathroom. Dogs don’t want to soil where they sleep, but if there’s too long of a stretch without a walk, they might end up doing so.

Don't leave your dog in the crate too long. A dog who’s crated all day and night doesn't get enough exercise or human interaction and can become depressed or anxious. You may have to change your schedule, hire a pet sitter, or take your dog to a daycare facility to reduce the amount of time they spend in the crate each day. Also, crates are not the only tool available. If you’re trying to prevent a puppy from chewing on things or having accidents, you can use a pen in your bedroom so they’re free to move about in a small space but can’t wander off while you’re busy.

Puppies under 6 months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time. They can't control their bladders or bowels for that long, even during potty training. The same goes for adult dogs being housetrained.

A crate may be your dog’s den, but just as you would not spend your entire life in one room of your home, your dog should not spend most of their time in a crate.

Tip: Keep an Eye on the Time

A crate may be your dog’s den, but just as you would not spend your entire life in one room of your home, your dog should not spend most of their time in a crate.

The Training Process:

Step 1: Introduce your dog to the crate

Step 2: Practice with longer crating periods

Place the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Keep it propped open and let the dog explore the crate at their leisure. Some dogs will be naturally curious and start sleeping in the crate right away. If yours isn't one of them:

Bring them over to the crate and talk to them in a happy tone of voice. Make sure the crate door is open and secured so that it won't hit your dog and frighten them.
Encourage your dog to enter the crate by dropping some small food treats nearby, then just inside the door, and finally, all the way inside the crate. If they refuse to go all the way in at first, that's OK; don't force them to enter.
Continue tossing treats into the crate until your dog will walk calmly all the way into the crate to get the food. If they aren’t interested in treats, try tossing a favorite toy in the crate. This step may take a few minutes or as long as several days.

Step 2: Practice with longer crating periods

Start with shorter periods of time while you're home.

Call them over to the crate and give them a treat.
Give them a voice cue to enter, such as "crate" or "bed." Encourage them by pointing to the inside of the crate with a treat in your hand.
After your dog enters the crate, praise them, give them the treat , and close the door.
Sit quietly near the crate for five to 10 minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time, and then let them out.
Repeat this process several times a day, gradually increasing the length of time you leave them in the crate and the length of time you're out of sight.
Once your dog stays quietly in the crate for about 30 minutes with you mostly out of sight, you can begin leaving them crated when you're gone for short time periods and/or letting them sleep there at night. This may take several days or weeks.

Step 3, Part A: Crate your dog when you leave

After your dog can spend about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving them crated for short periods when you leave the house.

Put them in the crate using your regular command and a treat and praise.
Vary the moment during your "getting ready to leave" routine that you put your dog in the crate. Although they shouldn't be crated for a long time before you leave, you can crate them anywhere from five to 20 minutes prior to leaving.
Don't make your departures emotional and prolonged—they should be matter-of-fact. Praise your dog briefly, give them a treat for entering the crate , and then leave quietly.

When you return home, don't reward your dog for excited behavior by responding to them in an enthusiastic way. Keep arrivals low-key to avoid increasing their anxiety over when you will return. Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you're home so they don't associate crating with being left alone.

Step 3, Part B: Crate your dog at night

Step 3, Part A: Crate your dog when you leave

Put your dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat/praise. Initially, it may be a good idea to put the crate in your bedroom or nearby in a hallway, especially if you have a puppy. Puppies often need to go outside to eliminate during the night and you'll want to be able to hear your puppy when they whine to be let outside. Puppies may also want to be let out to play because they do not want to stay in the crate. If your puppy continues to whine you may need to place a sheet or blanket over their crate. Older dogs should also initially be kept nearby so they don't associate the crate with social isolation.

Once your dog is sleeping comfortably through the night with the crate near you, you can begin to gradually move it to the location you prefer, although time spent with your dog—even sleep time—is a chance to strengthen the bond between you and your pet.

Potential Problems

Whining: If your dog whines or cries while in the crate at night, it may be difficult to decide whether they’re whining to be let out of the crate, or whether they need to be let outside to eliminate. If you've followed the training procedures outlined above, then your dog hasn't been rewarded for whining in the past by being released from their crate. If that is the case, try to ignore the whining, place a blanket over their crate, or moe their crate out of sight. If your dog is just testing you, they'll probably stop whining soon. Never punish them for whining.

If the whining continues after you've ignored them for several minutes, use the phrase they associate with going outside to eliminate. If they respond and become excited, take them outside. This should be a trip with a purpose, not playtime. Stand in one spot in your yard where they normally go to the bathroom and wait. If you're convinced that your dog doesn't need to eliminate, the best response is to ignore them until they stop whining. If you've progressed gradually through the training steps and haven't done too much too fast, you'll be less likely to encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may need to start the crate training process over again.

Separation anxiety: Attempting to use the crate as a remedy for separation anxiety won't solve the problem. A crate may prevent your dog from being destructive, but they may get injured in an attempt to escape. Separation anxiety problems can only be resolved with counterconditioning and desensitization procedures. You may want to consult a professional animal behavior specialist for help.

Welcome to Crooked Creek Doodles & Poodles Training Tips for Dummies

Potty Training Tips

Puppy Potty Training Tip #1 Stay Calm

Puppy Potty Training Tip #2 Stay Focused

Puppy Potty Training Tip #3 The Shag Rug

Puppy Potty Training Tip #4 It Takes Time

How to Crate Train Your Dog

Tip: Choose the Right Size Crate for Your Dog

Tip: Choose the Right Size Crate for Your Dog

Tip: Choose the Right Size Crate for Your Dog

Tip: Establish the Proper Mindset

Tip: Choose the Right Size Crate for Your Dog

Tip: Choose the Right Size Crate for Your Dog

Tip: Keep an Eye on the Time

Tip: Keep an Eye on the Time

Tip: Keep an Eye on the Time

Tip: Keep an Eye on the Time

Tip: Keep an Eye on the Time

Tip: Keep an Eye on the Time

The Training Process:

Step 1: Introduce your dog to the crate

Step 2: Practice with longer crating periods

Step 2: Practice with longer crating periods

Step 2: Practice with longer crating periods

Step 2: Practice with longer crating periods

Step 2: Practice with longer crating periods

Step 3, Part A: Crate your dog when you leave

Step 3, Part A: Crate your dog when you leave

Step 3, Part A: Crate your dog when you leave

Step 3, Part B: Crate your dog at night

Step 3, Part A: Crate your dog when you leave

Step 3, Part A: Crate your dog when you leave

Potential Problems

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