Crate Training: how long is too long

[Hellow]

My dog ate a whole plate full of Hersheys Kisses and the wrapper and all. We gave her Hydrogen Peroxide and she didn't vomit. The chocolate didnt hurt her a bit, just made her hyper.

[Jessika]

My dog ate a whole plate full of Hersheys Kisses and the wrapper and all. We gave her Hydrogen Peroxide and she didn't vomit. The chocolate didnt hurt her a bit, just made her hyper.

Yeah it depends on a number of factors, really. One dog can eat a pound of chocolate and be fine, another dog can eat an ounce of chocolate and be fatal. It depends on the size of the dog, the concentration of theobromine (the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine present), their digestive system... I mean a huuuuge number of factors.

[Michael]

I don't know what changed - what made her click.. but Hammy has started whining when she needs to go out to the toilet. We kept her in a large caged area, not a crate and if we are near and she needs to go, she makes a quiet noise and we bring her out and praise her greatly. There have been a couple of accidents (she complains very quietly), but for the most part, its working. Thanks again to all on the post who have given advice.

[IRescue452]

I'm glad she's starting to let you know. DO let her out more often though, as small dogs have smaller bladders and holding it could cause an infection. She shouldn't get to a point where she is really whining to go. She is a MINI POMERANIAN. That tells you she is a puppy mill dog. Make sure the vet rules out any inherited issues. Even hypoglycemia can cause a dog to go more. Such tiny dogs should also be fed several small meals a day rather than one or two large. As they eat meals more often, they also have to go out more often. You should take a look at some sites dedicated to the spedific care of "teacup" and tiny dogs which often have more special needs than the typical dog.

Reggie, what happens if there is an emergency someday and your dog needs to be crated to keep it safe? Crate training is not cruel. Keeping a dog in a crate 24 hours a day without proper care is cruel, but crate training is not.

Another idea for the pomie is bell training. Get some large jingle bells from the craft store. Tie them with string of yarn to the doorknob at the dog's nose level. Each time you bring her out, point out the bells and get her to sniff them or paw at them enough that they make noise. Praise her and take her out. After some time of this she should learn to connect the bells with going potty.