Copper's Dream Rescue
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    • Puppies
    • Dogs over 6 months
  • KITTENS
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      • Adoption application
      • Adoption policies
      • Adoption fees
      • Pay adoption fee
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Housetraining your pup

We recommend house training your puppy with a crate, because it's much easier than without one. Your dog should see its crate as a den (dogs avoid spoiling their den at all costs). 

DOs
  • Make sure the crate is small enough so your dog can't do their "business" on one end and sleep on the other. Have a puppy? Get a crate big enough to fit them when fully grown, but just block off part of it in the meantime. 
  • Take your dog outside often. 
  • Watch your dog for signs they need to eliminate (circling, sniffing, etc.). When you can't, put them in their crate. 
  • Be prepared to go out often, even several times during the night, if you have a puppy.
  • Give lots of praise when they do go outside. 
  • Set a consistent feeding time to help your dog develop a schedule. 
  • Take your dog out after they've eaten. 
  • Remember that exercise will increase their need to go to the bathroom. 
  • Say "no" in an angry voice or make a loud noise when you catch them in the act of an accident and pick them up to stop them from continuing. 
  • Try limiting water before bedtime (but only if they've had enough and it's not too hot).
DONTs
  • Never use the crate as punishment, or your dog will not see it as their den.
  • Don't leave your dog in their den too long or they'll have no choice but to eliminate in there. 
  • Don't scold your dog after they have an accident - they can't connect the dots. 
  • Never hit your dog for punishment. They want to please you and get it right - be patient. 
Woof! We're an all-breed dog rescue serving the San Francisco Bay Area. 
ADOPT A DOG
Puppies under 6 months
Dogs over 6 months old
​ABOUT US
Our story
Meet the board of directors
FOSTER A DOG
Learn about fostering

RESOURCES
Training
Re-homing

DONATE TO HELP DOGS
Make a general donation
Sponsor a dog
VOLUNTEER
Learn how to help
  • DOGS
    • Puppies
    • Dogs over 6 months
  • KITTENS
  • ADOPT
    • Adoption Process >
      • Adoption application
      • Adoption policies
      • Adoption fees
      • Pay adoption fee
  • DONATE
    • Miles for Mutts
    • Heartworm Pups
    • Make a general donation
    • 2021 Calendar
    • Thift Store
    • Medical Fund
    • Training Fund
    • Fun and Games
    • Shop
    • Sponsor a dog
    • Honors and tributes
    • Corporate matching
    • More ways to give
    • Vehicle Donations
    • Maddie's Fund
  • VOLUNTEER
    • Foster
    • Moms and Pups
    • More ways to help
    • I'm a foster
  • ABOUT
    • About us
    • Team
    • Contact
    • RESOURCES >
      • Training
      • Partners
      • Vets
      • Pet insurance
      • Re-homing
  • SUCCESS
    • Recent Adoptions
    • 2020 Adoptions
    • Happy endings
    • Before and after
  • Blog