What Size Of Training Crate Should I Get?

[coco22]

Hi,

I'm thinking of crate training my cavalier puppy obi as i heard that it's effective for toilet training as well as keeping the pup safe for short period of time when we are busy at home and can't keep an eye on him.

I have been very consistently taking him to the laundry room (he's an indoor puppy and we live in an apartment) where his toilet is whenever he wakes up, after a meal or play. He was doing ok initially but lately he simply refuse to do it in the laundry room. He would try to tear or chew the training pad that we lay on the floor and sometimes he even lay down on the training pad! we would let him out of the laundry room when he does not pee after a while... and he would then pee on the carpet the minute he walks out. sometime when i try to guide him into the laundry room, he would stop at the entrance and then run away. when he does pee on the training pad, we always praise him, pat him and give him treats. we're hoping that with the crate training, the situation will improve and also the crate will keep him safe during times when we cant keep watch on him.

I have come across 2 sizes of the crate which I think would be suitable for obi. i think the medium one should be just right when he's fully grown, but i need a second opinion before i get one. the dimensions of the 2 crates are :

medium 30" - 76cm x 50cm x 58cm

large 36" - 90cm x 60cm x 69cm

Thanks

[Poodle wrangler]

For toilet training, crate needs to be just big enough for pup to turn around and stand up in.

Some crates have dividers that make them smaller for pup, but big enough for an adult. Otherwise you can put an old box in there to make it smaller.

Dogs often prefer to wee on an absorbent surface (e.g. carpet) if given a choice. If he's using the training pad as a bed, he won't wee on there!

Does pup lay on the training pad as the laundry floor is cold?

Do you use a word for toileting? e.g. while pup is weeing you say, "toilet" in a happy voice and immediately give a treat?

This was great with my pup. I'd walk him around for a short time outside, then say, "toilet" and he'd know what I expected after only a short time.

The walking around seems to get things going. Perhaps this is why your pup does it on the carpet- he has a short walk + excitement of being out of the laundry = toilet time.

Try letting him out from laundry, briefly, then leading him back to the puppy pad? Have a treat in your pocket. Use a light leash if you need to. Wait for as long as necessary.