How long did it take for you to trust your puppy?

[AngieW]

Covering the crate took care of the noise-making for Kylie. I just used an old bedsheet. I didn't want it to get too stuffy in there.

We taught Kylie to ring the bells we hung on the backdoor for us to let her out to use the bathroom. They're Christmas bells, so you ought to be able to find them easily right now. She only had one accident after we'd had her for one week (11.5 weeks old at that point) and that was when I didn't make it to the door fast enough after she rang the bells.

Somebody still has to be on Kylie-duty all the time when she is not in her crate unless she is asleep.

Kylie is definitely high drive, high energy.

We have the stairs blocked off still (5 months old).

I'm going to puppy-proof upstairs over Christmas break and we hope to unblock the stairs in the next month or so.

We can't leave her alone in the backyard for very long or she starts digging and eating wood and acorns. We generally don't let her stay out there by herself for more than about 15 minutes at a time.

She is usually in her crate only at night (from about midnight-8am) and maybe a total of 4-5 hours during the week. Usually that means 3-4 hours on one day and another 1-2 hours on another day.

[vicky2200]

Dakota could have been trusted from day 1 at 6 weeks of age. Of course I didn't know that at the time. He peed in the house once and only chew on flip flops, newspaper, and one nick knack. That's it. There was a weird period from 1-2 years old when he got into the trash a few times.
Ditto could be completely trusted by 6months. Mostly trusted by 4 months.
Daisy could be trusted in the house alone if the trash was up by 8 months. Still can't be trusted with the trash down when we are home and food can't be left where she can reach. She can't be off her tie out in the yard.
Weegee: oddly enough has been great in the house a lone from day one at 4 months( no prior training). He will have an accident if we are gone too long. He took until a year old to be Fully housebroken, will still not come when off lead, but hasn't destroyed anything other than socks when he was teething.

[pancake]

Haha well just to update, she's about a little over 5 months and she left her xpen for a few minutes and tore up my hat. My favorite cap that is no longer available for purchase.