|
Location: North Yorkshire, UK
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 655
|
|
I'm no expert I'm afraid, but here goes..
Why would you want her to pooh in her box? You need to be reinforcing the idea that she should be toileting in a specific place. Puppies are taught by their mothers not to toilet where they eat and sleep, and some dogs (one of mine included) won't even toilet in the
garden because it's too close to the house.
When she cries in the night, she's probably asking to toilet. Carry her (don't let her walk) to the pad, and as she toilets give her a command and praise her lots. Go straight back to bed with her, pop her in her box and leave her be.
This will reinforce her toilet training, but will also help to teach her that crying in the night doesn't get any other attention.
If, during the day, she circles and starts to squat to pooh, pick her up and take her straight to the designated toilet area. Don't pull or drag her, as she may continue to toilet as she goes - the motion of picking up generally causes them to stop, and then they can continue when you put them down (you might need to wait for a few minutes before she carries on).
Do you have any kind of yard or garden that is free of other dogs? If you do, then personally, I would do toilet training straight outside and begin as you mean to go on. I know some people have difficulties weaning pups off pads. Clean any accidents on the carpet with a paste of biological washing powder and water - the enzymes in the powder break down the smell of it completely, so your pup won't smell the area and associate it with toileting.
I always begin socialisation with my pups as soon as they have their first vaccination. We carry them almost everywhere - to the stables with us, into town, to the train station. Anywhere they may have to go as grown ups. But do be careful to keep them off the floor, and not to bring them into contact with unknown dogs that may not be vaccinated.
As for the crate... what is it that you don't like about them? I feel that a crate would be more suitable than a box (my pup chews cardboard) so you may find that she finds an escape route, especially as she gets bigger. Crates are not cages - they should be a safe haven for your dog, and somewhere that you can keep your pup (and your home) safe if you can't be there to supervise. You need to build up time in the crate gradually, and reinforce it with positive experiences (treats, toys, etc) before you start closing the door.
Ultimately, it's your call, but I fail to see the difference between using a crate and putting her in a box - both are to keep her in a place that you know is safe and that she cannot wander and possibly do herself (and your home) some damage in the night while you're sleeping.
Good luck with her