How to Crate Train a Pomeranian Puppy
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Introduction
So, you're bringing home a Pomeranian puppy to join your family. Whether you went to a breeder, adopted one from your local shelter, or someone gifted you with him, congratulations on your new puppy! Contrary to what many people believe and what you might have heard, most dogs come to love their crates and see them in the same way they would their den in the wild. That is, as a safe place, one they can sleep in, raise a family in, and get away from predators in.
In your home, your pup should come to see his "den" as a safe place where he can get away from noisy guests, overly playful children, dinner time in the home, or to simply go lay down and take an undisturbed nap. In the meantime, using a crate can protect your carpet and furniture from your pup until he is potty trained and no longer feels the need to turn your furniture into toothpicks.
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Defining Tasks
While many use a crate for nothing more than potty training, those that choose to do so are robbing themselves, their Pom, and their crate of an opportunity to be far more. If you train your pup to see the crate as his den, he will continue to use it throughout his life, even when you don't need him to. Remember that while you may be crate training your pup in the early days to protect your home when you aren't there, by the time your pup is an adult, he will see it as his protection from the world.
Training him to see the crate as his den is not a hard task, but one that simply may take a few weeks for your pup to be fully ready to comply with. At no point should you ever use his crate as a form of punishment or a jail. You want your dog to associate his crate with good things or he may resist going in it no matter how hard you try to train him.
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Getting Started
The most important part of crate training your Pom or any other dog is to make sure you are using the right size crate. He needs one that is big enough for him to stand up in, turn around in, and stretch out in, and generally move around in. If you plan to buy just one crate that is big enough for when he is an adult, you should use a divider or partition to make the crate smaller at first. This will make it far less likely your pup will use his "den" as a bathroom.
Beyond this, there are few things you need to turn the crate into a comfortable den your pup is going to love. These include a mat or piece of carpet cut to fit the floor of the crate (this is much easier on his paws), a comfy bed to nap on, a few toys to chew on, and if you are going to be gone for extended periods of time a water bottle. Oh, and you are going to need a large supply of his favorite treats.
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The No Place Like Home Method
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Create a groovy den
Your pup needs a truly groovy den, so why not give him one. Set the crate up in an area where the family spends a lot of time. Carpet it, add one bed, several toys, cover the outside with a blanket, and voila, one cozy den. Be sure to leave the door open.
First impressions
Toss a nice stinky treat inside the crate and leave your pup to explore it on his own. Let him enter and exit it at his own discretion for a few days. This gives him time to get used to it. Each time you see him go into the crate for the treat, praise him.
Short bursts
The next time your pup goes into the crate for his treat, gently close the door behind him. Keep the door closed for about one minute and then open it so he can get out. When he comes out, praise him again.
Longer spells
The reason for doing things this way is to reduce the risk of your dog barking and squalling loud enough to wake the dead. Slowly start extending the time your pup spends in the crate with the door closed.
If he does fuss
If your pup does fuss, let him. Do not let him out of the crate as your pup will see this as being rewarded for making a fuss.
Go away
Try going away for a no more than two hours at first. This will help train his bladder to adapt to a new routine in which he must not make a mess in his crate. Once your pup reaches adulthood, he should be able to stay in for longer periods of time.
The Safe Place Method
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Set it all up
Start by creating a comfortable den for your pup complete with wall-to-wall carpeting, a cozy bed, a blanket, and of course some of his favorite toys. Place it in the living room or other room where he can be part of the family.
Sniff time
Give your Pom plenty of time to sniff around the crate and let him wander around it. Once he has completed his investigation and decided for himself it is safe, he will go inside. When he does, be sure to praise him and let him enjoy the treats.
No open-door policy here
The next time he goes into his crate, close the door and give him lots of praise.
Slowly extend
Slowly, over the course of several days, extend the time he spends in the crate. This should help him transition into being comfortable with spending longer periods of time in his "den."
The 2-hour rule
The first time you leave your dog in his crate for a longer period of time, do not leave him in for more than 2 hours. If he whines or fusses, go ahead and ignore him. The last thing you want to do is encourage this type of behavior. By the time your pup is all grown up, he will see his crate as his safe place, his den, and one of his favorite places in your home.
The Indoor Meals Method
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Place the crate
Place your pup's new crate in its permanent location and set it up to be as comfortable as possible for your pup. Leave the door open.
Go in for the treat
Show your pup one of his favorite treats and use it to lead him to the crate. Toss the treat all the way to the back of the crate. This way he must go all the way in if he wants the treat. Be sure to praise him when he goes in.
Inner dinner
Set your pup's food bowl inside the crate with the door open. Make sure it is far enough back that your pup must go all the way in to reach it. Do this over the course of several days with the door open, then start closing the door. As soon as he is done, open the door and take him outside.
Between meals
Start putting your pup in the crate for 30 minutes at a time while you go on about your business around the house. Make sure he has toys to play with.
Hitting your goal
Start extending the amount of time he spends in his crate and in time he will start to see it as his "den" or "safe place", one he wants to spend time in.
Written by PB Getz
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/07/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Sophie
Pomeranian
2 yrs
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My dog goes on her potty pad really good but I want to get her to go outside and not in the house how do I do that
Jan. 1, 2024
Sophie's Owner
Daisy
Pomeranian
9 Weeks
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Hello. I just got DAISY today, and just wondering what is the best way to train her. She’s a 9 week old Pomeranian. I have 2 crates for her, one wire crate and one pet carrier. I’m not sure how to start training her, should I wait until she’s warmed up to her new home first ? She’s seems pretty stressed when she’s in the crate. Always whining...I wait until she stops to let her out. I play around the house while watching her and so far she has a had a few accidents. I’m probably going to let her sleep with me for the first night, I just haven’t let her eat or drink so she won’t make a mistake in my bed. But what is the best schedule to have her on once she’s warmed up?
March 30, 2021
Daisy's Owner
Alisha Smith - Alisha S., Dog Trainer
253 Dog owners recommended
Hello! I am sending you quite a bit of information on potty and crate training just in case you want to use the crate to help with potty training. Potty training: Know Your Pup. As you spend time with your puppy, learn your puppy’s love language. Just as some people prefer gifts, touch, or time spent together, puppies can be the same way. Some puppies love praise or pets, while others prefer treats. As you get to know your puppy, consider what reward your puppy loves the most. Create a Daily Schedule. It is best to have a routine for your puppy. A schedule helps them understand when to eat, play, and “go to the bathroom.” Your puppy should go out frequently and the routine should be the same every time. When? Start the day by taking your puppy outside, and repeating based on age and ability. They should also go out after napping, chewing, playing, and within 10 to 15 minutes of eating. Although some puppies can sleep for seven hours, it is important to set an alarm and take your pup out during the night. When you do, don’t make a fuss about it. Quietly take them outside with minimal stimulation and light. Praise them if they go to the bathroom and gently return them to their bed or crate. You don’t want them to get stimulated and ready to play in the middle of the night! As you get to know your puppy, you will become aware of their individual habits. Click here to learn more about house training schedules for puppies. Where? Take your puppy to a specific area to urinate or defecate. Be consistent. You can create an area by using urine-soaked paper or bowel movements to help create an aroma to stimulate your puppy. How? Take your puppy out on a leash so they can focus on the desired activity. This will help prevent them from wandering off to play. Once your puppy is in the selected area, use your verbal cue, such as “Hurry Up,” “Poopies,” “Go tinkle,” or any phrase your puppy responds to. What? Know the signs that your puppy has to go to the bathroom. Every animal may have a different “I gotta go” gesture, which often include restlessness, sniffing around, circling, scratching at the door, barking, and, eventually, squatting. At the first sign that your pup has to go, calmly and quickly take them outside to their bathroom spot. Deal with Accidents. Accidents are a normal part of house training a puppy. What to Do If you see your puppy in the process of urinating or defecating inappropriately, calmly and quickly interrupt them in the act. Tell them to stop (either by a jarring sound or command), and immediately take them to an appropriate location for elimination. After your puppy goes to the bathroom, lavishly praise them and offer a treat. Thoroughly clean up accidents, so your puppy is not attracted to this area again. Create a consistent feeding and watering schedule. Depending on the age of your puppy, they will eat three to four times a day. A consistent feeding routine can create a regular bathroom schedule. Take away water about 2 hours before bedtime. Learn more about ideal dog schedules here. What NOT to Do Don’t punish your puppy when they have an accident. At that point, it is too late. When a puppy has an accident in the house and they walk away, within seconds they have already forgotten about what they did. Taking them to the scene of the crime and yelling and/or rubbing their nose in it does not help and, in fact, can harm your puppy! Supervise. The best thing you can do is to prevent accidents and the best way to do this is to supervise your puppy at all times. You can tether your puppy to your waist with a five or six-foot leash and carefully observe them for signs that they need to go to the bathroom. If you can’t supervise, then crate or confine your puppy. The more accidents your puppy has in the house, the more confusing it will be for them and this can delay house training. Reward, Reward, Reward. It is important to give your puppy a reward for their good behavior. This can be for commands such as sitting and coming to you, or for appropriately eliminating outside. In a puppy, a reward can be a couple kibbles of puppy food or a treat, such as a small piece of meat. The treat should be exciting for them and only available as a result of good behavior. Crate training can take days or weeks, depending on your dog's age, temperament and past experiences. It's important to keep two things in mind while crate training: The crate should always be associated with something pleasant and training should take place in a series of small steps. Don't go too fast. Step 1: Introduce your dog to the crate Place the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Put a soft blanket or towel in the crate. Take the door off and let the dog explore the crate at their leisure. Some dogs will be naturally curious and start sleeping in the crate right away. If yours isn't one of them: Bring them over to the crate and talk to them in a happy tone of voice. Make sure the crate door is open and secured so that it won't hit your dog and frighten them. Encourage your dog to enter the crate by dropping some small food treats nearby, then just inside the door, and finally, all the way inside the crate. If they refuse to go all the way in at first, that's OK; don't force them to enter. Continue tossing treats into the crate until your dog will walk calmly all the way into the crate to get the food. If they aren’t interested in treats, try tossing a favorite toy in the crate. This step may take a few minutes or as long as several days. Step 2: Feed your dog meals in the crate After introducing your dog to the crate, begin feeding them their regular meals near the crate. This will create a pleasant association with the crate. If your dog is readily entering the crate when you begin Step 2, place the food dish all the way at the back of the crate. If they remain reluctant to enter, put the dish only as far inside as they will readily go without becoming fearful or anxious. Each time you feed them, place the dish a little further back in the crate. Once your dog is standing comfortably in the crate to eat their meal, you can close the door while they’re eating. The first time you do this, open the door as soon as they finish their meal. With each successive feeding, leave the door closed a few minutes longer, until they’re staying in the crate for 10 minutes or so after eating. If they begin to whine to be let out, you may have increased the length of time too quickly. Next time, try leaving them in the crate for a shorter time period. If they do whine or cry in the crate, don’t let them out until they stop. Otherwise, they'll learn that the way to get out of the crate is to whine, so they'll keep doing it. Step 3: Practice with longer crating periods After your dog is eating their regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, you can confine them there for short time periods while you're home. Call them over to the crate and give them a treat. Give them a command to enter, such as "crate." Encourage them by pointing to the inside of the crate with a treat in your hand. After your dog enters the crate, praise them, give them the treat and close the door. Sit quietly near the crate for five to 10 minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time and then let them out. Repeat this process several times a day, gradually increasing the length of time you leave them in the crate and the length of time you're out of sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in the crate for about 30 minutes with you mostly out of sight, you can begin leaving them crated when you're gone for short time periods and/or letting them sleep there at night. This may take several days or weeks. Step 4, Part A: Crate your dog when you leave After your dog can spend about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving them crated for short periods when you leave the house. Put them in the crate using your regular command and a treat. You might also want to leave them with a few safe toys in the crate. Vary the moment during your "getting ready to leave" routine that you put your dog in the crate. Although they shouldn't be crated for a long time before you leave, you can crate them anywhere from five to 20 minutes prior to leaving. Don't make your departures emotional and prolonged—they should be matter-of-fact. Praise your dog briefly, give them a treat for entering the crate and then leave quietly. When you return home, don't reward your dog for excited behavior by responding to them in an enthusiastic way. Keep arrivals low-key to avoid increasing their anxiety over when you will return. Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you're home so they don't associate crating with being left alone. Step 4, Part B: Crate your dog at night Put your dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat. Initially, it may be a good idea to put the crate in your bedroom or nearby in a hallway, especially if you have a puppy. Puppies often need to go outside to eliminate during the night and you'll want to be able to hear your puppy when they whine to be let outside. Older dogs should also initially be kept nearby so they don't associate the crate with social isolation. Once your dog is sleeping comfortably through the night with the crate near you, you can begin to gradually move it to the location you prefer, although time spent with your dog—even sleep time—is a chance to strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Potential problems Whining: If your dog whines or cries while in the crate at night, it may be difficult to decide whether they’re whining to be let out of the crate, or whether they need to be let outside to eliminate. If you've followed the training procedures outlined above, then your dog hasn't been rewarded for whining in the past by being released from their crate. If that is the case, try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing you, they'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at them or pounding on the crate will only make things worse. If the whining continues after you've ignored them for several minutes, use the phrase they associate with going outside to eliminate. If they respond and become excited, take them outside. This should be a trip with a purpose, not play time. If you're convinced that your dog doesn't need to eliminate, the best response is to ignore them until they stop whining. Don't give in; if you do, you'll teach your dog to whine loud and long to get what they want. If you've progressed gradually through the training steps and haven't done too much too fast, you'll be less likely to encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may need to start the crate training process over again. Separation anxiety: Attempting to use the crate as a remedy for separation anxiety won't solve the problem. A crate may prevent your dog from being destructive, but they may get injured in an attempt to escape. Separation anxiety problems can only be resolved with counterconditioning and desensitization procedures.
April 1, 2021