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Frequitude · 04-22-2015, 10:44 AM

My puppy just hit 4 months. Some thoughts...

Crate Training
I absolutely recommend crate training. It helped train him to learn to go to the bathroom outside. Make sure there is only enough room for him to lay down in. If its too big he'll learn to sleep on one side and go to the bathroom on the other. To me, crate training meant:
1) Put him in his crate
2) After 30-45 minutes put him outside to pee
3a) If he went to the bathroom he got playtime for 15 or so minutes then back in the crate (i.e. back to step 1)
3b) If he didn't go to the bathroom I put him straight back in the crate (i.e. back to step 1)

We were pretty strict with this for about a week (other than the few times we gave in just to play with him because, well, puppies are cute). After a week he was pretty much house trained. Other than periodic accidents when we weren't paying attention he'd go sit by the door when he needed let out. Now he just gets locked in his crate when we leave the house or go to sleep at night. He does so with no issues and no barking. When we're home we leave the door open and he goes in from time to time to rest. Also, we never use the crate as punishment when he's done something bad. That'll just create negative associations and make life difficult.

For the night shift I recommend putting the crate beside your bed. He'll sleep better knowing you're there.

Pee Pads
Does your apartment have a balcony? If so train him to go out there instead of pee pads. Pee pads just teach him to pee in the house.

Trust me, his bladder will grow
The first few weeks were hell. He'd have to go to the bathroom every hour and could hardly hold it. This meant my girlfriend and I rotated waking up every hour in the night and going home from work every hour to let him out (we lived close thankfully). Gradually this got better and now he can hold it through the night.

Walking
Exercise is the single best way to have a calm puppy who'll sleep through the work day and nights as best as possible. We walk him in the morning, at lunch (this will eventually stop), when we get home from work, and most importantly before bed (let's you get a good sleep).

Feeding
He's a great dane, so gets 6 cups of food per day. We feed it 2 cups at a time, 3 times a day. I believe 3x per day feeding is recommended for puppies regardless of the amount. Do not let him eat as he chooses. A routine is critical and you need him to learn that he better be good for you because you control his food.

Sleeping
I don't know if they "need" a certain amount of sleep per se. Ours is a large breed so he's much lazier and likes to sleep. The only thing I'd recommend is to not let him sleep in the evening before bed. Then he won't sleep through the night. The evening is the best time to play with him and walk him so he tires out.

Socializing with people
Walk him lots on busier streets so he can meet as many people as possible. 4th street was perfect for this. A well socialized dog will be much better behaved around strangers later in life.

Puppy School
We did Pupstart at Clever Canines. I definitely recommend it. Heck, I probably learned more than he did. It was also great to have hime socialize with other dogs.

04-22-2015, 10:44 AM	#21
Frequitude Franchise Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: 555 Saddledome Rise SE Exp:	My puppy just hit 4 months. Some thoughts... Crate Training I absolutely recommend crate training. It helped train him to learn to go to the bathroom outside. Make sure there is only enough room for him to lay down in. If its too big he'll learn to sleep on one side and go to the bathroom on the other. To me, crate training meant: 1) Put him in his crate 2) After 30-45 minutes put him outside to pee 3a) If he went to the bathroom he got playtime for 15 or so minutes then back in the crate (i.e. back to step 1) 3b) If he didn't go to the bathroom I put him straight back in the crate (i.e. back to step 1) We were pretty strict with this for about a week (other than the few times we gave in just to play with him because, well, puppies are cute). After a week he was pretty much house trained. Other than periodic accidents when we weren't paying attention he'd go sit by the door when he needed let out. Now he just gets locked in his crate when we leave the house or go to sleep at night. He does so with no issues and no barking. When we're home we leave the door open and he goes in from time to time to rest. Also, we never use the crate as punishment when he's done something bad. That'll just create negative associations and make life difficult. For the night shift I recommend putting the crate beside your bed. He'll sleep better knowing you're there. Pee Pads Does your apartment have a balcony? If so train him to go out there instead of pee pads. Pee pads just teach him to pee in the house. Trust me, his bladder will grow The first few weeks were hell. He'd have to go to the bathroom every hour and could hardly hold it. This meant my girlfriend and I rotated waking up every hour in the night and going home from work every hour to let him out (we lived close thankfully). Gradually this got better and now he can hold it through the night. Walking Exercise is the single best way to have a calm puppy who'll sleep through the work day and nights as best as possible. We walk him in the morning, at lunch (this will eventually stop), when we get home from work, and most importantly before bed (let's you get a good sleep). Feeding He's a great dane, so gets 6 cups of food per day. We feed it 2 cups at a time, 3 times a day. I believe 3x per day feeding is recommended for puppies regardless of the amount. Do not let him eat as he chooses. A routine is critical and you need him to learn that he better be good for you because you control his food. Sleeping I don't know if they "need" a certain amount of sleep per se. Ours is a large breed so he's much lazier and likes to sleep. The only thing I'd recommend is to not let him sleep in the evening before bed. Then he won't sleep through the night. The evening is the best time to play with him and walk him so he tires out. Socializing with people Walk him lots on busier streets so he can meet as many people as possible. 4th street was perfect for this. A well socialized dog will be much better behaved around strangers later in life. Puppy School We did Pupstart at Clever Canines. I definitely recommend it. Heck, I probably learned more than he did. It was also great to have hime socialize with other dogs.