I have decided to go with the dog cage toilet training.First time around we hadn't heard of such a thing,but that was 14 years ago and we used newspaper then,gradually removing sheets as Pepper got the idea of what to do.
So having got the cage,loaned from a good friend,what I now need to know is: do you all put a water bowl in the cage overnight? if so do you generally use one that attaches to the cage or one of the ones that are hard to tip? I have read so many conflicting reports some people seem to even deprive their pups of water from early eve.on through the night ( I wouldn't even consider that).

I leave water down in the kitchen 24 hours a day but I don't put water in the cage when toilet training.
Archer

Personally I would never withold fluids - especially important if feeding a dry food - the body needs fluids for the digestive system as well as other normal functions. Even learning can be affected....

Hi Jaqueline

A cage does not toilet train a pup - when it needs to go it needs to go - and will go! (That was a lot of go's)

I would try each type of water bowl, the non drip ones drip - how many dogs stand over their bowl until they have finished? The non tip ones are tippable (or the dog paddles in it) and the coop cups, which I prefer in cages, can be tipped out by the dog lifting its head underneath the bowl.

Lots of ways for a cage to get wet :D

If a dog is fed dry food then I feel it needs access to water at all times - if raw fed then they tend to drink very little except in hot weather (or when they have raided the compost heap)

Christine

Hello Christine,
thanks for the tips on bowls,the cage will only be used overnight,theory being a dog does not normally mess it's own bed ,well that's the theory!;) We shall be putting the pup outside often and praising highly when she goes! The breeder has started them off on ped.chum puppy advanced and eukaneuba(?spelling) but I think we will gradually introduce some meat and veggies,so she will start on dry food.
Thankfully I don't have a compost heap,but forwarned is forearmed because my Mum has a huge one in her garden,in fact it's a puppy nightmare,pond,compost heap,lots of bushes to disappear under,oh the joy!I will probably spend half my early months on my knees calling Spice where are you now,or Spice come here look what mummy's got!:D
Jacqueline

Hi Jaqueline

Just remember that dogs don't read the same books/boards that we do so don't know that they are not supposed to eliminate in a cage :D

We have solid clay for soil in our garden and recently bought an 8 tonne load of well rotted farm compost. I need not have fed the dogs since as they have lots of ready made snack bars in each of the borders, fortunately the farm is fully organic and does not use chemicals on land or animals.

Christine

As long as you get up through the night to take the pup outside then the cage should remain dry. Keep the cage/kennel in your room at night this way you will hear when your pup gets restless and needs to go out. I do keep water in a bowl that hangs on the door for my dogs in their kennels. :)