8 week old Newfie - Crate Messing!

[Andy]

Hello,

We got our newfie puppy yesterday, and I know it's early days but want to start as we mean to go on!

We bought a crate that was deemed to be suitable for a Newfie, so quite a big crate. We got the puppy home, familiarised her with the garden, she did her 'business', lots of praise etc from us. We then put her in the crate and she fell asleep, and everything seemed fine.

We took her outside again just before bed at about 11:30, and she went. Through the night she whined, barked, screeched etc and we did our best to ignore it. My wife gave in after about 2 hours, took her outside (no action), and gave her some fresh water. She continued to make noise after going back into the crate. We took her outside again a couple of times, but nothing happened.

We both got up this morning at about 7:00 and she had messed in her crate. We have a blanket on one side and newspaper on the other. She had done it on the newspaper, and trodden in into her bed. We cleaned it up, and took her outside.

She has since been twice outside, and twice in her crate. My question is, how do we stop her going in her crate, or at least make her more concious about her crate being her 'home/bed'. Some people have said our crate is too big, and the puppy should be in a small crate so she will not want to go to the toilet in her bed. Would we be better making the crate smaller and removing the newspaper from it?

Sorry for the long post, lack of sleep is clouding my thinking!

[nick_j007]

very quick reply as I'm off to Coventry to see two Boxers that fight each other!

1) Remove paper yes.

2) Crate size can be reduced by inserting some MDF and secure it with strong zip ties through pre drilled holes.

3) Do not return at night. You'll make a rod for your own back

4) Stop water after 8pm latest. feed at 7pm. These times can vary a little to suit you.

5) Your dog has yet to find a routine. it will come, but you need to be down the line with it.

6) Buy ear plugs to be used for the next 3/4 nights. For you btw, not the dog.

Have fun.

Nick

[tamdream]

you've had a great reply cant add to it, lol at ear plugs bit needed a laugh