POTTY AND CRATE TRAINING YOUR NEW PUPPY or SENIOR DOG FOR APARTMENT Living

A dog crate is an excellent tool for helping puppies and senior dogs learn to stay calm, but they don’t have to be scary! 

In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about crate training your pup or senior dog, from how much space they need to what type of crate works best for your best friend. 

Your dog is a member of your family; you want to do everything in your power to make sure your furry friend is happy and healthy. The easiest way to ensure that is by potty-training him as soon as possible so he can live in an apartment and not have any accidents. So sit back and relax—we’ve got all the tips you’ll ever need for raising an awesomely behaved puppy or senior dog.

Potty-training a Dog While Living in an Apartment is Not Impossible

Potty-training a dog while living in an apartment is not impossible. Dogs are intelligent and can be trained fast, as long as you’re patient and consistent with your training process. 

You just need to find solutions to challenges like how to take your dog outside when it’s raining or what do you do when there is no yard for your pup to go potty.

You will also need to be willing to make some sacrifices and be creative in order for this process of potty training a dog while living in an apartment to work out successfully for everyone involved!

Puppy-Proof the Apartment

Since apartments are generally small, it’s essential to make sure there is a clear division between human items and dog items. This will keep your dog out of trouble until she’s old enough and keeps them from having accidents on your valuables until they’re able to hold it for more extended periods of time. Here are some ways that you can prevent accidents:

• Put up a gate and block off areas where they shouldn’t be, like your living room or kitchen.
• Block off the bathroom with a baby gate so they can’t get into trouble while you’re bathing or using the toilet.
• Block off laundry rooms and hallways with gates as well since these are often used as shortcuts by puppies who want freedom but don’t realize that there are consequences for their actions!

Identify the Signs of a Needed Potty Break

If you’re wondering whether or not your dog is ready to potty train, it’s important that you understand the signs of a dog that needs to go outside. Here are some common ones:

• He will start walking in small circles and sniffing the floor when he has been indoors for too long.
• His ears will perk up, and his tail will wag (or lift slightly) as soon as he sees a door open.
• He’ll whine or scratch at the door when he wants out because if it’s closed, then he won’t be able to get out and do his business!

Crate Training Your Puppy or Senior Dog Instills Good Manners

The benefits of crate training are numerous, and it’s a great way to teach your dog some essential life skills for your pup. Here are some of the things that you can expect from crate training:

• House manners. Crate training is an excellent way to teach your puppy or senior dog how to behave in the house when you’re not around. When they’re in their crates, they’ll learn not to jump up on furniture, chew on things they shouldn’t, and make lots of noise while you’re sleeping or trying to work (if they’re being left at home alone).
• Safety for children and other pets. If you have a young puppy that’s constantly jumping on people or chasing after cats because he thinks it’s fun— nothing will stop him faster than putting him in his crate! Likewise, if small children are running around the house with noisy toys that could potentially hurt the puppy if she gets too excited about them (or accidentally knocks them out of reach), it’s best for all concerned if she stays out of sight until everyone has calmed down again!
• Peaceful rest time when you’re not there: If your older dog likes having quiet time away from everyone else while he sleeps, a crate is a great space for that!

Crate Size

The size of the crate should be appropriate for your dog’s size.

 If they are too big, they may be uncomfortable, and if your younger pup is a small dog, they won’t feel as safe. A good rule of thumb is to measure your puppy or senior dog’s length and height when standing to get an idea of how much room that leaves them in the crate. According to one source, “Once you have these measurements, add 4 inches to the length and height to determine the correct crate size.”

If you have a large breed puppy, larger dog or senior dog like a Great Dane or German Shepherd, then you’ll need a larger model than what comes standard from most pet stores because it will be too cramped for them to feel comfortable in. 

If you have a very young puppy or senior dog (less than 12 weeks old), then there are some additional considerations when choosing their crate size:

• Puppies grow fast, so it’s important to take into account how quickly they will outgrow their current one!
• Smaller models are also more beneficial because puppies don’t know how big their feet can get yet, so having plenty of room means less risk that she might hurt herself by stepping on something sharp while trying to move around inside her new home away from their “parents!

Make Their Crate a Happy Place

• Place your dog’s favorite chew toy in the crate.
• Put a towel or blanket in the crate.
• Place food and water in the crate to make it more like an indoor “den” where they’re safe and fulfill their puppy’s needs If you’re using a puppy pad, put this on top of the towel or blanket so they can smell their scent on it and know that going potty is okay there.
• If possible, put a bed inside your dog’s new home so he’ll be more comfortable relaxing inside the crate.
• Put chew toys within easy reach, so he has something else to focus on if he needs entertainment instead of barking at nothing for hours!

A Crate Can Provide Your Dog with a Place to Call Their Own in Your Apartment or Smaller House

The crate may be their only home for the first few months of their life, so it’s important that they feel happy in there. You want it to be a positive experience for the puppy as ell as the dog owners.

When you’re crate training a puppy, one of the first things you’ll want to do is get them used to the crate. You can do this by taking him or her inside the crate whenever they need some time out from playing or when they have done something wrong (chewed up your shoes).

The AKC (American Kennel Club) puts it this way “If you put the dog in the crate when they’re playing, then they’ll want to come back out and continue to play. But if you bring them in it when they’re calm, they will likely view it as a place of rest.”

It’s Extremely Important to Remember That the Crate Isn’t Just a Place for Your Puppy or Senior Dog to Sleep

A crate is a safe place for your pup to go when you aren’t home. Young puppies that are left alone need somewhere safe and comfortable to retreat, especially if they’re not yet housebroken (or even if they are). 

The same goes for senior dogs, who may be experiencing more frequent bouts of confusion, anxiety, and/or separation anxiety as they age, which is normal! 

A crate is also a great place for them to go when they just need some time alone. This can be helpful if you have an energetic dog who loves playing with other dogs at the park, but needs some quiet time after returning home.

Put him in his crate so doesn’t get too wound up and start jumping on family members or getting into trouble in other ways (chewing on furniture, barking at passersby outside the window, etc.).

Pick Up a Wire Crate for Your New Puppy or Senior Dog

Puppies and senior dogs need to be in a crate. If you’re getting a puppy, you may have heard of wire crates and the benefits they offer for young dogs. For example, wire crates are more breathable than plastic ones, so your pup won’t get too hot or cold during training.

If you’re considering adopting an older dog who’s been through the whole housebreaking process before (and if so: congratulations!), we recommend purchasing a metal crate with plenty of space for him. 

These wire crates are often used as travel carriers or crates for small animals like bunnies or guinea pigs at pet stores; they’re also great because they can easily fold up when not in use!

Start with Short Stints in the Crate

Start with short stints in the crate, 20 minutes or so, and let them out when they’ve settled down. 

Don’t leave a pup or senior dog in their crate for more than four hours at a time. It’s important to note that all dogs are different, so some pups may take less time to adjust than others (and vice versa). You should never leave your puppy or senior dog alone longer than they can hold it.

Four Hours in a Crate For Puppies

If you have a puppy, it’s a good idea to keep them away from their potty area for at least 30 minutes after they eat or drink.

 This will help prevent accidents that may happen if the puppy has an accident in their crate and gets frustrated due to the lack of space. You also shouldn’t leave your dog in the crate for more than four hours at a time while they’re young. 

As they grow older, this time limit increases as well—up to six hours for adult dogs who are healthy and up to eight hours for senior dogs (older than 7 years).I

f your pup or senior dog is having accidents while they’re inside their crates, try changing the location of where they sleep at night by putting them on top of blankets instead of directly on the flooring, so there’s less chance of making messes outside their bedding area during sleep times. 

If this doesn’t work, then try moving around where they stay during the daytime until something works out better because every dog has different needs when it comes down to setting up spaces within homes where humans live together with pets too!

It’s Normal for Your Puppy to Cry or Whine in the Beginning?

The first night (or two) can be a bit rough for everyone involved. Your pup is probably going to cry, and you may feel like it’s your duty to comfort them. Resist the urge! 

It’s best not to let your puppy out of their crate until they stop crying, even if they’ve been fed and have been outside that day. This will teach them that they need to go potty before they get out of their crate, which will make training easier in the long run.

If you do let your pup out of the crate after feeding or playing with them, don’t give attention when they’re crying or whining; this just reinforces the behavior and makes it worse over time!

Crates Are Not a Place of Punishment!

• Don’t use the crate as a punishment. You want your dog to view the crate as a safe place, not an area where they are confined and upset.
• Don’t put your pet in their crate when you are angry or upset with them. If you do this, it will only make them afraid of going inside their crate and make training more difficult for both of you.
• Do not leave an unsupervised puppy or senior dog in their crate for long periods at a time (more than four hours).

Potty Training with Crate Training

Once you’ve started crate training with your pup, it’s important to keep up with the potty pad routine.

 If your pup is still a young puppy, he or she will need to use the potty pad at regular intervals throughout the day. As he or she grows into an adult dog and starts going for longer periods without needing to go, you can cut back on how much time they spend on the pad. 

However, if you have a senior dog who has just been introduced to crate training, it may be best not to remove any of his/her water or food at all during this phase of training—as long as they are able to get up and move around easily in their space (without assistance).

It’s vital that your dog uses their designated potty place, when nature calls; otherwise, accidents will happen! So remember: At least once every four hours (short periods), during this phase of training (and sometimes more often depending on how often your pup eats), take him/her outside for potty breaks until he/she is completely trained!

Using Potty Pads Regularly to Reinforce Training

Puppy pads (aka pee pads) and potty pads are a great way to get your puppy or senior dog started with crate training. The pad should be placed in a quiet area that’s easy to clean, like the bathroom or laundry room.

The best way to use these products is by placing them down at regular intervals throughout the day when you know that your pup must go potty: for example, after eating meals or playing outside. This will help him learn how often he needs to do his business so that both of you can be prepared when he does finally get into his crate!

A Potty Pad isn’t a Substitute for Outdoors

While your pup should use the potty pad when they really have to go, you should also take them outside regularly for additional potty time.

• While your pup should use the potty pad when they really have to go, you should also take them outside regularly for additional potty breaks. This will help them learn how to hold it in until they are outside, which is a key part of potty training success.
• Check the pee pad frequently and make sure that it’s not getting stuck to itself or growing mold or mildew (which can be toxic). Use warm water every few days if necessary. If you notice any problems with your puppy’s crate training pads, contact a vet immediately.

Location is Key

The location of your pup’s potty area is also important. You’ll want something low-traffic until they’re older and better trained.

Keeping the potty area in a quiet corner of the house will help keep it clean and dry, as well as make it easy to maintain when you’re away from home.

If you have multiple dogs, place the potty area near their crates or feeding areas so that they can go at those times without having to walk far or go through another room first (this will be especially helpful for senior dogs).

Stay Strong, and Your Dog will Be Crate Trained in No Time!

You may be worried that your new puppy (like an eight-week-old puppy) will wake you up in the middle of the night barking or crying. If so, you’ll be glad to know that crate training can help alleviate this problem.

Crate training is one of the best ways to train a dog! This will make them much happier during their time at home; they won’t feel the need to try and escape when they don’t have access to human companionship. They might even go into their crates on their own accord—pups are notorious for wanting nothing more than a good nap!

Final Thoughts on Crate and Potty Training

Crate training your puppy or senior dog is a great way to teach them house manners and how to behave when you’re not around. Even though it might be hard in the beginning, it will be well worth it for the rest of your dog’s life and is the right thing to do as a responsible dog owner, Good things will come from positive reinforcement.

If you follow these steps, you should be able to get your dog comfortable in their crate quickly!

Check out our post: How to Stop Your Dog from Scratching the Door