Crate Training vs. Paper Training Your Puppy

After years of experience, 1 dog while growing up and 4 dogs of my own as an adult, there is no doubt, crate training works better than paper training your puppy. Below are brief instructions on each procedure. You can research and make your own decision. I hope this helps. To remain gender neutral, we will refer to the puppy as “it”.

Paper training: You put the newspaper on the floor in a convenient, easy-to-get-to place, and every time you see your puppy start to sniff (believe me there is a definite “sniff” when it has to go, you pick it up and put the puppy on the paper. Keeping it on the paper until it “does the duty” is essential here. Once the puppy “does the duty” on the paper, reward it with an appropriate treat or gesture. If you use food as a reward, be sure to keep these treats small so you do not create an obesity problem. Next, the idea is to move the paper towards the door the puppy will be using to go outside. Hopefully, the puppy will be “sniffing” for the newspaper by now because it is familiar with using it. When this stage is reached, you can let it out when you see it “sniffing” towards the door looking for the paper. Again, reward when it “does the duty” outside! Sounds easy, right? Good Luck.

Crate (also referred to as a cage) training: Find a place for your puppy’s crate where you can leave it for the duration. Some dogs stay in this crate their entire life. It becomes their “safe house”. They will sleep in it and retreat to it when they want to feel “safe”. Keep your puppy in the crate and let it out when it is time to eat. After eating, puppies usually have to relieve themselves aka “do the duty” within 30 minutes. Watch your puppy carefully and when the “sniffing” begins take it outdoors. Use the same door each time so it will know how to tell you when the need arises. After “doing the duty” the puppy may be rewarded and come indoors for playtime. When tired, it is then put back into the crate for another hour or so. They will nap, after the whining and crying. When the puppy awakens, the usual necessary outdoor trip should occur again. After “performing”, it’s playtime again. This gets repeated for about 3 days. Your puppy should have a good idea of what is expected by then. By nature, a puppy/dog will not mess in the place they sleep. Be sure to remember a few items of interest; if your puppy has “accidents” in the crate, the crate might be too big. Put a piece of cardboard or particle board to make the area smaller until it grows into it. Also, if there is a blanket/towel or something in the crate with the puppy, it might think of this item as something to “cover up” the accidents. This method seems quicker and easier on the trainers. It is very difficult to watch a puppy 24/7 to get it to the paper on time! Whichever you choose good luck and enjoy!
Nothing says love and devotion like “man’s/woman’s best friend”.