Before you pick up your puppy, you should have already purchased an appropriate sized crate, bedding,
food and water bowl, leash, and several chew toys. You may also want to consider baby gates to keep the puppy within a confined
area while house training them.
About crate training, it
is best to have a kennel that is just a little larger than your dog. Dog's will not mess in their dens. If you provide
a ton of area, they will mess in it. If you do not let the puppy out often, they will mess in it. A crate is not to be used
for long periods of time. It is great protection for a dog in the car. It also provides a haven within your home that is his.
That way, if your puppy gets stressed or tired, he will go to the crate on his own. I often suggest not having the crate in
the bedroom with you, but in the family room or laundry room.
Bedding
is a very important purchase. DO NOT buy bedding with all the cute trim, ANY chording, No embellishments. Currently, there
are not laws protecting dogs from dangerous and life threatening bedding. Think to yourself "would I let my baby sleep
on this?" I personally use and suggest the Slumber Pet fleece beds. They wash well and last a very long time.
The leash is a very important part of training. I do not buy leashes that require
collars. Collars are a very dangerous hazard and can easily get caught on anything. All of my dogs are microchipped. I use
martingale type leashes that simply slip over the head and you can tighten them with little effort. Flexileads are not good
for dog training.
When house training, you should start out
allowing the puppy a small area of the house. I usually start mine in a exercise pen (available at nearby pet stores). I put
the pin either in the kitchen or the den. As I get trained as to how often to take the puppy out, the puppy is given the opportunity
to romp and have fun and learn to respect my "den". Once we've mastered the exercise pen, I put baby gates up
in the kitchen. Again, continue to take them out regulary and immediately after feeding. Take this process of gradually adding
another part of the house very slow. Give your dog time to "learn" where is your den. If you have step backs, lower
the amount of free range space and start again. If you are consistant, they will learn quickly.
If you notice, both of the rooms that I suggested starting training in are "high traffic" areas of the
house. Make sure that your puppy gets lots of socializtion. I take my puppies to other relatives houses, soccer games, Home
Depot and Lowes, just riding in the car, etc. Give your puppy the opportunity to get to know many environments and people.
Once all the shots have been given, sign them up for a puppy obedience and socialization class.
Good luck training and enjoying your new cavalier!
