Hi. I am new here but have been a mom to two well-loved shelties (no longer with us) but it's been a while since we've had a puppy. I am doing my due diligence and trying to get up to speed before we bring home our new girl (Lord willing) in early November. I'm seeing a lot of recommendations online to feed the puppy in the crate, especially Ian Dunbar's suggestion to feed only in a Kong. My concern is that would interfere with the normal post-meal potty trip. Perhaps the intent is not to put the puppy in the crate with food and then depart. Any clarification or thoughts would be appreciated.
Feeding in crate affect potty training?
- Thread starter MaryR
- Start date
HI,
When I was training my pup, I started by feeding her in the crate.
Initially you do not want to leave them alone, so when they are done you release them right away.
Essentially it shouldn't take more then 5 minutes for them to eat.
The whole purpose of feeding in the crate is to provide them with comfort that it's a safe haven for them.
Overall the crate shouldn't be overly large. Should be good enough for them to stand and turn, but that's about it. So eating in there they should be quick about it. if not take the food away.
FYI
I transitioned out of the crate after a couple months after she got used to being around us and eating.
When I was training my pup, I started by feeding her in the crate.
Initially you do not want to leave them alone, so when they are done you release them right away.
Essentially it shouldn't take more then 5 minutes for them to eat.
The whole purpose of feeding in the crate is to provide them with comfort that it's a safe haven for them.
Overall the crate shouldn't be overly large. Should be good enough for them to stand and turn, but that's about it. So eating in there they should be quick about it. if not take the food away.
FYI
I transitioned out of the crate after a couple months after she got used to being around us and eating.
Calliesmom
Moderator
I currently have 4 shelties. all still eat from their bowls in their individual crates and have since they were pups. when they are done eating, they are allowed out and when they were little pups, we did go out right away and then again about 30-45 minutes later.
congrats
Ah welcoming a new puppy into your lives...it is way different than I remembered, but I survived. So wishing you oodles of success. I wasn't successful with the crate training overall, so I can't give any pointers. One likes hers, one thinks I am inflicting torture on her
All I can inject is keep whatever method you choose as consistent and scheduled as possible. Shelties can tell time
Ah welcoming a new puppy into your lives...it is way different than I remembered, but I survived. So wishing you oodles of success. I wasn't successful with the crate training overall, so I can't give any pointers. One likes hers, one thinks I am inflicting torture on her
All I can inject is keep whatever method you choose as consistent and scheduled as possible. Shelties can tell time
Cleo2014
Forums Enthusiast
Thanks for the input. So it seems like it would not be a good idea, at least early on, to leave a food-stuffed Kong with the puppy in the crate while I will be away from the house for a while. Is that right?When would it be okay to do that?
6 months is the age I would feel comfortable with the food-stuffed Kong. At this point they have control over bathroom functions so it should not be a problem.
Cara Sandler
Forums Enthusiast
I agree to wait on food toys until the pup is a little older. It's very hard to potty train when you don't have as much control over when they eat and drink. I did, however, do pretty much everything else as Dr. Dunbar suggested and wound up with the most amazing, well socialized puppy in the whole world (not that I'm biased).