Using a crate is an ideal way to begin house breaking your new pup. Dogs, by instinct don't urinate or defecate where they sleep or rest, so your pup will be highly averse to the idea of soiling the crate. Use this to your advantage. Crate him for a while, so he can retain the contents of his bladder and bowel. Then let him loose, and take him outside to eliminate. Give him some time to eliminate and, if he's unable to, take him back to the crate. If he does eliminate, give him a treat or praise him, and allow him to run around the house unfettered, as a reward. After an hour or so of play, your dog is ready to be returned to the crate again.
Use this potty training method every hour, and note down your dog's elimination pattern in a note book. This will give you an idea of the time of the day when he's most likely to eliminate.
A crate is also an ideal way to protect your home and furnishings from your pup's destructive chewing tendencies. If you have been away from the house for many hours, crating your dog will ensure that you don't return to a home that's soiled, and littered with chewed debris.
Many dog owners find the concept of a crate to be uncomfortably similar to a cage. This is far from the truth. A crate is a necessity for a dog. It's the doggie version of a "room," for humans. It's the one place in the house that is completely his own. Never abuse the crate or use to to punish your dog. It's a wonderful training tool, provided you don't make a habit of confining him to it for long periods of time.
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