Training 2 puppies at once!

[Monie009]

Many of you may have seen my post yesterday on the "Meet & Greet". If not, I would like to introduce myself as the soon-to-be mommy of 2 pug pups (tomorrow Henrietta & Gus - 10 week old puggies that are siblings, come home!)

I have been reading the posts in the Forums on ALL TOPICS (so I'm not TOO unfamiliar with the "adventure" I have in store for me ), but I am still very nervous and want to make as few mistakes as possible with the pups.

I read many of the posts regarding crate training & house breaking. I think I understand the two concepts - crate training is getting the pups used to being crated when i am not around to supervise/or when they are sleeping. I know what house breaking is, it's just a master of the "how" with 2 pups.

My first questions is do I crate the pups together? (This is what I was planning to do). I also have a baby "pen" - a bunch of baby gates that form a larger, but confined area for the pups to run around in without giving them full run of the house. The maximum time the pups will be left alone would be about 4-5 hours during the work week. Can I leave the crate in that pen so that they can sleep in the crate if they want, run around in the pen with a toy and relieve themselves on a wee wee pad in the pen if need be? Or does the pen defeat the purpose of the "crate"?

I work, but fortunately, I will be able to take a few days off so that their first week home is with me. But my thoughts are when I am at work, they can run around the pen until I get home at lunch to take them outside to go to the bathroom.

This brings me to my house-training question. I have a fenced in backyard for the pups to potty train in (bye bye green grass! ) do I leave a wee wee pad inside (the pen) for them during the day? Or do I start a schedule of taking them outside to go to the bathroom so that they get used to that immediately?

I know I am going to make mistakes, and I know there will be accidents. I also apologize in advance as I have a feeling I am going to be posting for advice on a daily basis until I get the hang of things!

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

You will find what works for you, your schedule and the pups. That being said, I would put the crate in the pen when you will be gone that long. it's too long to expect pups of that age to hold it in a crate, but they should be allowed to still use the crate when not confined to it during the day if they want to.

Your most difficult transition will be from wee wee pads to pottying outdoors. I would immediately take them out as soon as you arrive home, no matter how short a time you've been gone and praise/treat heavily when they get it right. You might want to put a wee wee pad outside on the grass and take them there so they understand the grass is a pee pee spot too.

Take care,
Lisa