Thursday, October 18, 2007
To pee or not to pee?
I've never been an advocate of crate training. However, after much research, I've decided it will be the easiest and most efficient way to housetrain Eegor. Therefore, I started crate training today, and so far, so good. I haven't confined him to his crate yet, because he needs to get completely comfortable with it before I start shutting the door behind him for more than a few minutes. Plus, since he's still so young, his bladder is small, and he can only hold it for so long.
Before I started crate training, 99% of the time Eegor used his wee wee pad when confined to the kitchen. When we let him loose around the house, he seems to forget where his wee wee pad is and tends to have accidents occasionally. He pooped in the living room twice yesterday.
This is what prompted me to begin crate training.
When I came home for lunch today, I snuggled with him for a bit, then fed him. I put his food bowl deep in his crate and he didn't hesitate to follow it in. I closed the door for a few minutes while he ate. Then, I immediately took him outside. He didn't use the potty, so I brought him inside. After playing with him for a bit, I decided to bring him back outside to see if he'd go. He did! I praised him with a small treat and he seemed proud of himself!
When I left to go back to work he was laying in his crate chewing on one of his toys. He looked very content.
This evening, when I get home from work, I'm going to repeat the process, and also take him outside every hour or so. I don't doubt that he's going to have some accidents and I'll get frustrated, but I'm trying my very best to be patient with the little guy.
Before I started crate training, 99% of the time Eegor used his wee wee pad when confined to the kitchen. When we let him loose around the house, he seems to forget where his wee wee pad is and tends to have accidents occasionally. He pooped in the living room twice yesterday.
This is what prompted me to begin crate training.
When I came home for lunch today, I snuggled with him for a bit, then fed him. I put his food bowl deep in his crate and he didn't hesitate to follow it in. I closed the door for a few minutes while he ate. Then, I immediately took him outside. He didn't use the potty, so I brought him inside. After playing with him for a bit, I decided to bring him back outside to see if he'd go. He did! I praised him with a small treat and he seemed proud of himself!
When I left to go back to work he was laying in his crate chewing on one of his toys. He looked very content.
This evening, when I get home from work, I'm going to repeat the process, and also take him outside every hour or so. I don't doubt that he's going to have some accidents and I'll get frustrated, but I'm trying my very best to be patient with the little guy.
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