Proposed Crate Training Schedule...

[Heather170277]

I have a question about setting a crate training schedule for a 8 week old puppy. Any tweeks or suggestions are welcome as I'm a newbie.

Puppy up at 6am - out to pee
Feed puppy at 6:15am
Play until 7:30am - then out to pee
Crate until 10am
Dog walker comes over - puppy pees, plays
10:30 back in crate
12pm I'm home for lunch - puppy pees, eats, plays
1pm back in crate
3pm dog sitter comes back - puppy pees, plays
3:30 back in crate
5:30 we're home for the night, puppy pees, plays (goes for a walk), eats

Now if I want to make this schedule work, should I start as soon as the pup comes home? I'll be off work for a week (plus the weekend).

Thanks everyone!

 

[StillandSilent]

I would take the puppy out about 2=10-20 min after eating. Our last foster usually had to pee and poop right after being fed. Get the baby started on the schedule asap, it will make your life a lot easier. Good luck with your little one!

 

[otch1]

Great schedule... agree w/stillandsilent though, you will most likely have an accident happen in that 45 minute time frame after breakfast, while puppy is loose and playing. Generally, puppy is crated when fed and food is digested 20 to 40 minutes with puppy relaxing in crate. Then taken out to eliminate, then playtime. It's generally best not to exercise pups on a full stomach or give them playtime in house until they're "empty". With this schedule your pups crated approx. 16 hrs per day. (In daytime then thru night, 10pm to 6am) At 8 wks of age, you'll want to make that pm potty break as late as possible. You are very lucky to have a dog walker twice a day! Sounds like you are on the right track. Good luck.

 

[Heather170277]

So should we feed at 6:15am then crate for 15-20 minutes then take it out for potty time and play time? (same for the 12pm feeding and dinner time feeding?) Just reverse the play and potty parts?

Yes my cousins who are university aged will be done at the time we get the puppy and have volunteered to come over in the mornings and then their mom will come in the afternoons. They have a jack russell terrier so when our pup is fully vaccinated, they can be buddies, lol.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

I would take puppy out IMMEDIATELY following eating, and each 30 minutes during a play session.

Otherwise, it looks like a great schedule that was carefully thought out by someone who has done their research.

So tell us, what kind of puppy, you must be so excited!

 

[Heather170277]

I have been researching for six months now, no joke! I must be driving my husband nuts I'm glad the schedule makes sense..it does to me but I'm no pro when it comes to pets. I've never had one.

We have finally decided on a Brittany. We are an active family and have a 10 year old son. At first we thought we wanted a small compact dog. But then we all realized we wanted a dog that was a big more outgoing but not with the size!

The breeder is planning a breeding for the end of December with pups to go home in the spring time.

 

[otch1]

Congratulations!! You should be fine if you stick to reccommended schedule, but in the meantime it would be good to collect a few training and breed books. That way you're really prepared! Two of us started threads on favorite training books and videos. Hope you're able to find it. Hands down favorites for us trainers, as well as pet owners were Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, Emma Parson to name a few. Great training referances!!

 

[Heather170277]

I have already purchased two books on brittanys...one by Beverly Millette and one by Richard Beauchamp (this is Kennel Club book). The second one much more informative in terms of details. It even has a little page to keep track of vaccinations I'll check out that thread!


Oh one other thing...the breeder feeds his puppies purina puppy chow (I know this is not a good food). I plan on gradually switching to either Canidae or Innova (pending how the dog makes out with their ingredients) I've heard Innova can be too harsh on some dogs - too much protein?

Any good comments on Chicken Soup brand?

 

[otch1]

I have many clients who really like Chicken Soup brand. Innova is good, make sure you're using puppy verses Evo. I learned the hard way on that one. I am currently using Canidae and Raw for my Dobie pup. My breeder tells me he's looking "fat" though. Lol! There are pictures of him somewhere on one of my threads! I thought he looked great!

 

[Heather170277]

Canidae is an all-stages food, correct? They don't have puppy formula like the others (that's what I read on their website).

We haven't told our son about the puppy yet as he wouldn't understand the timeframe in which a puppy is obtained. He'd want it like today

We thought about maybe wrapping up a leash and collar and putting it under the tree and some books for him to read...

 

[otch1]

Correct about food. And the leash/collar idea is a great idea!!!