Using a Crate in Training
The most wonderful tool available for helping you train a dog is a crate. Think of it as your puppy's safe haven and den, a place where you can know with complete certainty that he is safe. Except for the first two nights at home, there should be no blanket or towels in the crate. The idea here is that if your puppy has an accident, he will be wet and uncomfortable until you come to rescue him. Lest you think this harsh, remember that you are walking him every hour so an accident should be a rare event. When your pup is dry and clean for two weeks straight, then you can try giving him a towel and see how he does.
The crate is not only used to help you housebreak a puppy but also to help you establish yourself as leader and set clear limits for your young Golden. A puppy that isn't crated gets into lots of expensive trouble before he is full grown. Dogs don't suddenly outgrow destructive chewing and getting into things, so it's best that they never learn they can chew or destroy furniture or other valuables.
The rule for puppies between seven to fourteen weeks old is that they are in their crate more than they are out. When they are out, they are confined to a puppyproof area and under close supervision. If no one is available to watch, the puppy does not get freedom.
After about fourteen weeks, you can start to be a little less vigilant and see how it goes. If your Golden puppy is getting into trouble, back up and limit his time out to supervision only. Gradually, you are working toward having your puppy out for longer and longer periods of time without getting into trouble. Do not give him the run of more than one room for now.
Though it will break your heart at first to hear your Golden puppy cry in a crate, it is essential that you do not give in and take the puppy into bed with you. To prevent future behavior problems by giving privileges too soon, your puppy should sleep in a crate from day one. The crate can be in your room, but your puppy should not be allowed to sleep with you.
As he gets close to a year old, you can gradually leave your Golden out longer while you are home with less supervision. However, make sure you check on him frequently to be sure that he isn't getting into trouble. Crate him when you leave the house, at least for the first eighteen to twenty-four months of his life.
When your Golden Retriever has proven that he's trustworthy while you are home, you can then begin to wean him off his crate while you are out. Start with short periods of time. Eventually, when he can handle small amounts of time, you can extend his free times to longer and longer periods, until he can be home alone several hours of the day.
