Copper's Dream Rescue
  • DOGS
    • Puppies
    • Dogs over 6 months
    • Experienced owners
  • KITTENS
  • Bunnies
  • ADOPT
    • Adoption events
    • Adoption Process >
      • Adoption application
      • Adoption policies
      • Adoption fees
      • Pay adoption fee
  • DONATE
    • Valentine's Day 2023
    • Make a general donation
    • Almost Home Kennels
    • Van Donation
    • More ways to give
    • T-Shirts & More
    • Sponsor a dog
    • Honors and tributes
    • Corporate matching
    • Vehicle Donations
    • Maddie's Fund
  • FOSTER
    • Foster
    • Moms and Pups
    • More ways to help
    • I'm a foster
  • ABOUT
    • About us
    • Team
    • Contact
    • Blog
    • Success >
      • Recent Adoptions
      • 2022 Adoptions
      • 2021 Adoptions
      • Happy endings
      • Before and after
    • Resources >
      • Training
      • Partners
      • Vets
      • Pet insurance
      • Re-homing

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
    • Experienced owners
  • KITTENS
  • Bunnies
  • ADOPT
    • Adoption events
    • Adoption Process >
      • Adoption application
      • Adoption policies
      • Adoption fees
      • Pay adoption fee
  • DONATE
    • Valentine's Day 2023
    • Make a general donation
    • Almost Home Kennels
    • Van Donation
    • More ways to give
    • T-Shirts & More
    • Sponsor a dog
    • Honors and tributes
    • Corporate matching
    • Vehicle Donations
    • Maddie's Fund
  • FOSTER
    • Foster
    • Moms and Pups
    • More ways to help
    • I'm a foster
  • ABOUT
    • About us
    • Team
    • Contact
    • Blog
    • Success >
      • Recent Adoptions
      • 2022 Adoptions
      • 2021 Adoptions
      • Happy endings
      • Before and after
    • Resources >
      • Training
      • Partners
      • Vets
      • Pet insurance
      • Re-homing