[Blondie]

Okay, here goes....
I'm getting a large crate for our soon to be puppy, expected to be born this week. We should be getting our puppy in January. I've read about the need for getting the puppy out every couple of hours. The first week we get the puppy, I will be on vacation to help initiate the "getting acquainted period," with the puppy and our family. I've read that there are other options to house training, such as using wee wee pads or newspaper. I'm considering putting the crate in my 12 year old son's room since my son wants the puppy in his room at night. During the day I'm considering using a baby gate to our 1/2 bathroom, which is also our laundry room. The washer and dryer are behind those vented bi-fold doors. The bathroom is tiled with a toilet and sink(with cabinet). A fairly benign bathroom. I know everyone says to hire someone to come to the house if the puppy is left for a long length of time. I'm not quite sure if I can afford to do that two to three days a week. My neighbor provides this service at a very expensive price. However, I'm thinking that if I put the puppy in the bathroom with a bed and newspaper and a baby gate, this would be better than keeping the puppy in the crate for a long day and then in the crate at night. I know I've read initially that puppies do spend a lot of time in their crates, I'm just thinking that in the beginning that the combination of using both the bathroom during the day and the crate at night might be the best outcome. One day a week the time would be from 7:30am to 4:30pm and two days a week from 7:30am to 3pm. I'm trying to be realistic about all of this. I have reasonable expectations with house training. I did this back in 1993 with just using the bathroom until my dog was mature enough to have full run of the house. It was not a GR, however. I know times have changed and this crate training business is new to me. I can crate the puppy during the day, putting the crate in the family room and moving the crate to my son's bedroom during the night as my initial plan, however after reading so many different scenario's, I'm saturated with an overload of thoughts and idea's on the topic of crate training. I also understand that the bathroom during the day and the crate at night idea may mean that house training might take longer and I'm okay with that. I'm trying to be reasonable and fair to myself and our puppy with expectations. Any thoughts or ideas will be greatly appreciated.
~Thanks~

 

[BeauShel]

I would go with your neighbor and have them come over and let the puppy out during the day. You can use the crate instead of your bathroom. It will keep him in a confined space and help to teach him to hold it. Plus he will become an eating machine and you will find your baseboards and walls. My pup ate my wall and almost my water line the edge of the cabinet. With your neighbor walking him and pottying that will help to tire him out so he doesnt mind going to the crate.
To me using the paper sends a mixed message that it is ok for him to potty in the house and harder to potty train.

 

[Abbydabbydo]

I agree with Carol on the crate, it really helps. Think of it this way: you have many many responsibilities to the pup including providing healthcare, toys and love. The pup has a responsibility to you and that is to get used to that crate. Make it an enjoyable spot, cover it, add destructible toys and feed her in there. She will get used to it. The sooner you buy into this concept, the quicker she will be housebroken and be able to sleep ot of the crate.

And I'm not sure you will want that crate in your son's room until puppy has learned to settle on her own at night.

Good luck!

 

[pt83]

In my experience owning goldens, they tend to have destructive behavior out of boredom when left alone for "extended" period of time. They have high energy level and when not properly channeled, they could be destructive.
I don't know your bathroom set up exactly, but I would imagine these are the things that prone to be chewed:
1. Cabinet doors/handle
2. Ventilation slats on the bi-fold doors
3. His bedding
4. Newspaper
5. If your bathroom walls are drywall, I've heard Golden chewing through them also.
You have to make sure to take out any cleaners/detergent in that particular bathroom too, they are crafty dogs and could probably figure out how to open cabinet doors and get whats inside.
They do have spray-on stuff like bitter apple to discourage chewing on stuff you don't want them to chew, but I don't have any experience on that...
Now I'm not trying to scare you or anything... I'm just speaking through my experience, you pup might be different.
I hope you find the best arrangements for you and your pup!

Oh and about the crate, if you get him a big crate, make sure you stuff it with big plastic container or something else so it's just have enough space for the puppy to stand, turn around, and lay down in it. Otherwise he would eliminate at one corner of the crate, and sleep at the other corner.

 

[Blondie]

Thanks all for your replies. I really appreciate the wisdom of those who have gone before me! You are the experts! Thanks for cementing what I've read in all the books!

 

[JasperNY]

I agree with everything that's been said. Crate training is a better option, but you really can't leave a puppy in there for more than 3-4hrs. More space isn't necessarily better for the pup.

My advice for the first week, get your puppy used to being alone. You need to help him get past the separation anxiety (whether he's left in a crate or locked in a bathroom, he's going to cry/whine/howl/yelp/scratch/etc.). As fun as it is to spend 100% of your time with the pup during the first week, I'd strongly recommend leaving him alone for a few hours on a daily basis to get him comfortable with the idea of you not being there. You'll be far less worried when you go back to work if you know that your puppy has learned to manage on his own.

Best of luck!

 

[Blondie]

I plan on getting the puppy acquainted with the crate the first day we bring her home. I am convinced now with the whole crate training idea and not to use the bathroom. Guess when we pay off those braces on my oldest's son's teeth in January, we can use the money for my neighbor to make a mid-day stop for our puppy, to hold her over until we get home. Now, if only we could get my youngest son's braces paid off, since he got his on in July!

 

[Doodle]

I agree with what's been said about using the crate and your neighbor. One additional thought: Pups need to be fed 3 times a day for the first 6 months, so you will need your neighbor to feed lunch also.