average size for a lab dog crate?

nite a

i want to buy a crate for my 7 week old lab puppy. what size should i be looking for and about what price? i found a few online. These are the sizes.
1. 22"L X 13"W X 16"H -

2. 24"L X 18"W X 21"H

3.30"L X 21"W X 24"H

4.36"L X 24"W X 27"H

5. 42"L X 28"W X 31"H

Answer
Please see House Training 101. Get a crate that is adjustable so as the dog grows you can make the space larger.

CRATE (HOUSE) TRAINING

First of all save your sanity and the carpets by not using paper or pads and house train her to go outside. Teaching her to go on paper or a pad is fine only if you keep it that way. Training her to go on paper then outside will only cause you to have to house train her twice. I love dogs and own a Golden Retriever but who wants to train a dog twice.

Next thing you need to do is keep a crate and don't pen her in the kitchen or any other room. Only use the crate when you are unable to watch her but make sure the crate is of the proper size. Crates should just be big enough to allow the dog to stand up, stretch and turn around in. Dogs will not relieve themselves in the area they are sleeping unless they absolutely cannot hold it. Also there should not be anything left in the crate that the puppy can chew such as stuffed animals or blankets. If she does happen to have an accident in the crate these will retain moisture and the mess will be harder for you to clean. Remember that puppies need to go out often as they have little bladder control.

When she is inside and out of the crate you can tether her to you, so that you can watch her closely. This also teaches her to be on a lead and at the same time she can be with you. If you don't want to tether her then when she's not crated you have to watch her like a hawk, not only in case she relieves herself, but for her own safety. She will chew things she shouldn't that can be very dangerous. Many dogs have been electrocuted because of chewing through power cords.

To house train her. Take her outside every 20 minutes by carrying her, she hopefully won't pee on you while in your arms. Tell her "Outside" in an exuberant and happy voice. Take her to where you want her to go, put the lead on her a tell her "Go Pee" watch her and when she goes praise her profusely. Something like " Good Girl, Go Pee" and make sure you pet her at the same time. Take her back inside, into the crate, tethered or just watching her. She will have accidents and (You have to catch her in the act) when she does, show her what she did and say in a stern low voice "No potty". It's not what you are saying that gets her attention it's how you say it. Take her outside as above and say " Go Pee". She likely won't because she just went in the house. Stay outside for a few minutes and bring her back in. If training is consistent it should take no longer than 10-14 days. After she starts getting the idea you need to teach her how to get your attention when she needs to go out.

house training dogs (refuse to crate train)?

daphnelks

I have a 4 year old Shihtzu (kailer) and a 2.5yr old half shihtzu/half Australian shepherd (Niko). Kailer was potty trained and hardly every had an accident till Niko came. Niko has been a devil to train. We NEVER use a crate and think it's mean. We prefer to get the dogs to just bark or show a sign that they need to go out to potty. Niko usually whines as a sign but not always. We keep finding pee puddles and you know when one goes the other has to go too! Is there something new to try? We tried potty pads- they get shredded in tug a war games or shake the crap out of it games. Since its hot my parents are especially wanting to keep them inside but its really really making us mad to find puddles. Please don't try to convince me to crate train- I WON'T DO IT. I want serious replies only. Our dogs are a part of our family and we feel we shouldn't' have to confine them. BTW they sleep with my parents and usually get let out before bed, during the night, & immediately in the morning.
If you suggest something that requires buying can you refer me to where it can be bought and a guess at the price. thx

Answer
First, thank you for not keeping your dogs in boxes. Crating can cause stress which causes both mental and physical health issues.

Try starting over with potty training 101. This is a good article about the steps to take. Cleaning the puddles is especially important so they don't think a place is acceptable because it smells already.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/79206/puppy_potty_training_101.html

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Recently moved to a new home, how do I stop dog from pooping inside?

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We recently moved to a new home. Our dog (5 yrs old) is previously house broken, but now she keeps pooping in the living room. She has a dog door and goes outside frequently. I have a carpet cleaner which I use on the area after she goes to remove any odors. She only goes when we are gone for an hour to the store or when everyone is sleeping. I'm not sure what else to do. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Answer
House breaking 101 again!

Relax, this is pretty common when dogs move into a new environment. You need to remind her about being house broken. To keep her from defecating when you are gone/asleep it is in your best interest to use a crate for assistance.

Good luck!

How to potty train a dog without using a crate?

Rena Fermi

Ok so I want to potty train my puppy girl so my mom won't sell it but I don't want to use a crate and pee pads, I want to take it outside to pee or let it pee on the newspaper! Please answer!!!

Answer
The best method for training ANYTHING is Positive Reinforcement (+R) +R uses Praise and Treats or Praise and a special toy that is ONLY used for training. When your pup or dog does a behavior you want them to do...such as going potty when you have taken them outside, YOU Praise and Treat them the moment they have finished going potty. You can even SAY..."Oh GOOD DOG!" the moment they squat and START to go potty. Of course if your pup is a little shy, don't yell out the praise, tone it down a little and sound very happy, proud of your smart little pup, just not too loud. If your pup is quite "full of himself" a real "happy-happy, joy-joy personality, you can be a bit more excited without scaring the pup or dog.

If you want to really set your young pup up for success, YOU initiate trips outside to start, till they advance enough to learn to âtell you.â I suggest with pups 8 to 12 weeks of age that they be given a chance to go out every time they transition from one activity to another.

This means: they wake upâ¦.go out, eatâ¦go out, playâ¦.go out, take a nap and wake up againâ¦you got itâ¦they go out! Young puppiesâ bodies are not developed enough to hold it, but a short time.

THE FORMULA: number of months old + 1 hour is about how long your pup
MIGHT successfully âhold it.â (3 month old puppy + 1 hr = 4 hours MIGHT HOLD IT)

This does not mean that an older dog can keep from having an accident for over eight, ten or twelve hours. A dog/puppy/for that matter, anyone, drinking a healthy amount of water and eating a healthy amount of food, will need to GO POTTY in a reasonable time frame. How long can YOU hold it, if you are drinking and eating normal, healthy amounts? I would bet youâd want to visit a bathroom for something during an eight hour time period!

The Formula is merely a guideline as to the development of your puppyâs body ability. Itâs not written in stone. If you are crate training your pup, it gives you a reasonable time
frame to consider if you or someone needs to visit the pup during the workday for a mid-day potty break or two.

Crates, Baby Gates and a Tether are just tools to help you and help set your dog up for success. The Baby Gate can keep your puppy contained in a puppy proofed safe room with an easy to clean floor. The crate is NOT a punishment, but is supposed to be your puppy's own personal place to sleep or be safely contained when you need to be away from home for a few hours. The Tether is what you can attach to yourself and your puppy so that you are totally aware of where the pup is and can easily look up and check on what the puppy is doing at any given time.

If you allow an untrained puppy or dog to run loose in the house without CONSTANTLY watching it, you WILL have accidents, they can't help it. So, that is why we take advantage of "tools" to help set the puppy up for success in NOT having accidents all over the house.

You don't HAVE TO use a crate, but using one helps you to keep your puppy or dog from having accidents when you must be gone from the house. That's all.

A copy of POTTY 101 is listed in my source below, it's what I give my clients for House Training. Small change..do not use garlic on anything any time, it can build up to toxic levels with dogs. I'm in the process of updating this document.

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How do I pottytrain an adult dog who has never had to go outside or hold her bladder?

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mrsbroyles

don't ask how that happened, its a long story. anyway, She is three years old and very set in her ways of pottying wherever she is in the house. yuck! How would I go about potty training her? I can't really crate train her because she doesnt care, she will just potty in the crate (no matter how small) and also she will just cry and holler all day. She is just not the crate type of dog. any suggestions?

Answer
Yes! You can still housebreak her. But it's like puppy 101...meaning you have to have someone constantly with her. Take her out every hour or even more at first, and wait and wait some more til she goes 'potty'. You want to be calm and quiet until she does this, no play, no petting....just stay with her til she goes. When she does, turn on the excitement. Lots of praise, and treats or toys, whatever she likes best. Point to her 'business' and tell her 'good potty' when she looks where you're pointing, sniffs, etc.

You have to make a positive association with the new place to do her business, so that she'll have the motivation to hold out for play/praise, treats, etc.
You can also start to feed her in a crate. Many times dogs will refrain from eliminating where they eat. Do this in very short periods of time at first. Give her the meal, close the door while she eats, and open immediately when she's done. Then go outside to 'potty'. Gradually she should learn to like her crate and start going in it, in anticipation of her meal or treats. Let her wait for gradually longer periods of time, door closed, before giving food. Then mix it up and give food, but wait longer to let her out. Do this as often as possible, and until she's housebroken, *always* take her out to potty first thing out of the crate. Just make this new learning experience as fun for her a possible, and she should catch on in no time.

I suspect she was a neglect or abuse case, so kudos to you for giving her a fresh start!!

ADD: If she does have an accident, be sure to calmly and quietly take it outside and put it where she normally goes potty. Show it to her and praise her calmly when she shows interest in it, being sure to repeat the command 'potty' or whatever you choose to use as her cue to eliminate outside.

Will you help me make a list of things for a new dog?

DeDeSK8S

Hello, i do not have a thing for a dog and im getting a yorkshire i will have 150.00 for supplies what do i need and what kind of food do you prefer?
please be detailed

Answer
Vet
Obedience classes
Leash & collar
long runner leash for play
crate
bed
blanket
a few toys
stainless steel food and water bowls
doggy tooth brush & paste
nail clippers
comb/brush
Our pets need quality pet food. Read the ingredients list and learn what the stuff on there is and what it does (or does not do) to/for our pets. A quick pet food 101. If the pet food contains corn/corn products or by products it is a poor quality food. Corn is a filler that can trigger skin problems. (allergies, skin problems, itching and excessive shedding) By products is anything from an animal not fit for human consumption, including cancerous tissue. Do not pay attention to advertising, they all say there food is great. "Vet approved" means they have a vet on staff to approve their product. In other words, someone paid to approve it. Same with foods most vets recommend. Salesmen "gift" vets then the vet recommends the food. Most vets are not nutritionists! Quality foods have meat as the first ingredient. California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova and Merrick are a few of the best brands available. If you want to learn more check out: http://www.sagekeep.com/petfood.htm www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359& more=1 http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByRating?OpenForm

the first thing to remember about housetraining a puppy is there ability to hold themselves is limited. a rule of thumb is they can hold "it" usually 1 hour for each month of age. 2 months old = 2 hours, 3 months old = 3 hours, etc. when your puppy wakes up (marning, nap, whatever) the pup has to go, right then! take the pup out. when the pup eats or drinks, it has to go, take the pup out. after exercise (play), take the pup out. when the pup does it's thing outside praise it. a lot. tell the pup how good, how smart it is. you have to pay attention to the pups "looking for it's spot" behavior. when you see that behavior indoors, whisk the pup out. if you catch the pup in the act, simply tell it "NO!" and whisk it outside. if you find a puddle or pile after the fact, clean it up with an enzyme cleaner (pet food store) get a newspaper and hit.... yourself in the head and say "i should have been paying more attention" daytime training they get pretty fast. night time training is easier if you crate train the pup. also remember the one hour/one month rule. you will have to get up through the night to take the pup out. good luck

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