Pug Crate Training

Pugs have a reputation for being somewhat difficult to housetrain, but pug crate training can make your life easier if practised with care.

Pugs do not like to eat and sleep in the same place that they soil, so pug crate training involves the use of a suitable size crate in which to confine your dog for the purpose of getting him potty trained in the shortest possible time.

Pug Crate Training basics

Some people might think that keeping a dog in a crate is cruel. This is not the case, however, as most dogs take to it quite happily and will go into the crate voluntarily. The trick is to crate him for short amounts of time and to make it a positive experience.

• The space in the crate must be big enough for your pug to stand up, lie down and stretch, but no bigger otherwise he will just sleep in one corner and soil the other.
• If you buy a bigger crate you can just partition off a section big enough for a puppy. This will save you having to buy more than one crate.
• Have the crate in an area where your puppy can see and hear you. It is not meant to be a punishment, so don’t leave him unattended for long periods of time.
• Offer a treat inside the crate to get him to associate the crate with good things.
• Feed your puppy in the crate with the door closed.
• As soon as your puppy indicates that he needs to eliminate, by whining or fidgeting, immediately take him outside.
• If you watch your puppy carefully and learn his habits, you will soon learn the difference between the need to eliminate and the need for attention. Don’t give in to the temptation to let him out because he wants attention or your pug crate training will fail.
• Depending on the age of a puppy, he will need to be taken outside at least every few hours.
• Give lavish praise if your pug puppy does his business in the designated spot.
• Use the crate whenever you cannot keep an eye on your puppy but never leave him in there if you leave the house.

Accidents Happen

If your puppy eliminates in the house, follow these rules:

• Be alert and watch him like a hawk when he is loose around the house.
• As soon as you see him sniffing and circling, take him outside.
• If you catch him in the act, say something like “No!” in a stern voice, scoop him up and take him outside immediately.
• If he finishes his business outside, praise him ecstatically.
• If it is too late, never scold your puppy. He won’t know what you are upset about and will just be confused.
• Wipe up the mess as soon as possible and remove the odour so that puppy does not associate that spot with elimination.
• Have a word or a phrase that you consistently use with potty training, like “Let’s go potty” and be sure to be enthusiastic when he gets it right.

This might seem like a lot of work requiring patience and vigilance, but if you take the time and the effort to do it right, pug crate training can be very successful.