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Crate Training for Puppy Mill Puppies

Owners of "puppy mill" puppies will have a harder time with crate training. These puppies were forced to use their small cages as toilets, and so they never learned that they shouldn't go to the bathroom in their space; they never had the option. Their natural instinct to not "go" in their den has been stunted. Crate training works off that basic instinct.

If you have one of these dogs, begin by lowering your expectations of how quickly crate training can be accomplished. To crate train your puppy, you're going to have to do two things: rebuild the "don't go in your den" instinct, and teach crate training. These two items can be done together, but you may need the advice of a dog trainer that's tailored to your exact situation and specifically for your dog.

What's included here is to just get you thinking along the right track - and to help you not expect too much from your puppy. Puppy mill puppies have already been through a lot. You've got some serious nurturing to do.

Some dog trainers go so far as to not recommend crate training for puppy mill puppies, but if you are very careful not to push your dog over their bladder/bowel threshold, you can successfully crate train these dogs. Puppy mill puppies have so many other developmental issues that a few sessions with a certified trainer would be wise, for help in crate training and in many other areas.

Rebuilding the "Don't Go in Your Den" Instinct
To reprogram your puppy so - all things being equal - they won't go in their crate means changing their associations with the crate. Start this by putting the puppy in their crate only after they've just eliminated, and eliminated well. Give them very good treats so long as the crate stays dry, and keep them in there no more than 10-15 minutes at a time. Do this at least three dozens times. I know, its a lot, but they were unfairly confined to their cages more than 36 times.

After twenty or more consectutive 10-15 crate sessions with no problems, extend the time to 20 minutes in the crate. This is as long as these puppies should be in a crate, EVER, at this point in their training. Slowly, they are relearning to not go in their crates. Think of it almost as very slow self-esteem building. It takes time to get comfortable with new behavior.

As much as you can (this is challenging if you have small children), watch the puppy at all times when they're in their crate. If you see the beginning of what looking like an elimination, get to the puppy asap and get them outside asap. For some puppies who aren't too easily spooked, making a loud noise or calling out their name is enough to distract them. Try to make it a happy sound - we want to distract the puppy, not punish it.

Keep up with this basic training for at least 4 months until the puppy has had a pretty good run of keeping the crate dry. Even as they get older, but especially when they are young, your puppy is going to have a much shorter comfort limit on how long it can stay in its crate. For example, puppies six months old can usually be kept in their crates for 2 hours or so. Not so with yours - do no more than 1 hour unless you want to undo months of training. One slip won't blow the whole thing, but don't let the pattern restart.

Because you can't keep the puppy in their crate for extended periods of time, you'll need to have safe play area for the puppy while you're gone. Take a look at our report "Crate Training Made Easy" for lots of ideas and tips for how to set up a great little play area.

ARTICLES:
Crate Training a Puppy

Crate Training a Dog

How Crate Training Uses Your Puppy's Den Instinct

Potty Training for Puppies Under 16 Weeks Old

Your Puppy's First Night Home

Puppy Growling & How To Handle It

How to Stop Puppy Biting

Does Your Puppy Whine in Its Crate?

Crate Training for Very Young Puppies

How to Pick the Right Crate for Your Dog

Crate Training for Puppy Mill Puppies

The Importance of Eye Contact in Dog Training

How to Potty Train your Dog

How to Stop a Dog from Pulling When Walking on a Leash