Hiya Everyone,

I've been a registered member for a while now but don't post much. I'm soon to be getting a puppy/older dog in the near future and I need some advice on Crate training & House Training.
I have a puppy pen (6 panels, quite big) and a small crate (see bring & buy!! :rolleyes:) I'm planning to get a bigger crate about 36" so the dog will have room for a bed, toys and water.
I'm a member of a few other forums and some people have had bad experiance of using a pen and the pup has been so stressed it's pooed itself and walked all in it and just constantly whined and refused to sleep unless being with them in the crate in their bedroom. I'm so worried now that it will happen to me and I don't want to put it through that. Can anyone offer some advice to try and avoid it please? Also a friend of mine used to have 2 cocker Spaniels and she worked part time but her husband was at home all day but when he went out they used to put a bowl of food & water (enough for both dogs) in the area but when they returned it was just piles of poo & piddles of wee!! The trainer told her that she should just put some water in and no food. The dogs sadly passed away this year aged over 10 so this was a long time ago but I'm a bit confused

Hope someone can put my mind at ease.
xxx :)

hi sorry cant give any advice as i still do it the old fashion way lol goodluck im sure somebody will be along soon to help you

I think you will have to start out by getting the crate ;) Sorry, not trying to be nasty, but couldn't think of another way to start :) (Taking tongue out of cheek and foot out of mouth) Anyway, once you have the crate start putting the puppy in it and shutting it in for a short while (5 minutes at a time will do at first) Keep doing this several times throughout the day for several days. That way the pup begins to think that the crate is bed, and somewhere nice to be. After a few days, if you intend to leave the pup in the run when you go out, I would leave the pup in the pen and just go outside for 5 minutes at a time. Then start building up the time over the next few days. Of course this only works if you take time off work (if you work) to be there for a week or so. If you can't take the time off work then expect some mess, and possibly some crying. No two puppies are the same. Some will take to it like ducks to water, whilst others will take a while. :)

Edited to add: I wouldn't leave food with any dog if I wasn't there. But water should be left at all times. ;)

Thanks for the help. :)