Crate Training and “Potty Training” go hand in hand ( or leash in hand!)
Teaching the puppy to "go potty" outside, on leash, and in a specific area, or on demand, goes hand in hand with crate training. And at a dog show, believe me, there is nothing worse than a dog that won’t go potty until the third day....been there, done that, with my first Show Dog, when she and I were both “newbies!” Using the correct Schedules is also important! This is yet another reason to feed at measured times rather than feeding at will, you can more easily regulate the puppy’s schedule.
When you take your puppy out of the crate to potty, LEASH him. Then he will learn from the beginning that he can go potty on a leash. Do not just “turn him loose” in the yard even if it is fenced in. Begin to use a command, continue to repeat this until he goes potty. Then reward. You can say “hurry up”. This is a good one. Much better than “go pee! !”Next, begin to take him to different areas of the yard, and tell him his “word” to go potty. Reward every time he does, other wise, just ignore. Then begin to take him out of his yard and away from his “territory” and repeat. Take your time at this, let the lesson sink in, soon it will be no time at all and your dog will go potty in strange areas.
It is most helpful to own a "flexi-leash" or a long leash. The reason for this is because some of these little guys just are too "shy" and they don't want anyone watching. Or some are just too playful and if they are near you they will be playing with you instead of attending to business. A flexi gives a puppy more room to explore. And remember, at the beginning, a harness is a great idea rather than a collar. He can't back out of a harness.
Another thing, when you are traveling with a young dog, especially when you are going to a show, you are exposing him to millions and millions of germs from other dogs. Make sure that YOUR dog is healthy, if he is having diarhea, do NOT, I repeat do NOT take him potty on the grounds of the show if you can help it. If he IS coming down with something, he can give it to other dogs. And to protect him, if he is very young, don't even allow him to potty or walk in the dog show area. He could pick up germs. This is why MANY dog shows DO NOT ALLOW PUPPIES UNDER 8 WEEKS OF AGE on the premises. There is one other reason for this rule also. Most Kennel Clubs frown on anyone "selling puppies" at the show.
Many Dog Show venues will set up "x-pens" with sawdust. These are great at benched shows, large indoor shows, and places where there just isn't any grass around for miles. You might as well go ahead and "citify" your country bumpkin puppy and teach him when he is little that this is a great place to go potty. It is relatively simple to go to your local five and dime (is there such a thing any more??) and pick up a bag of cedar bedding.Set up an x-pen in your back yard or on your property, perhaps even in the basement and spread some cedar chips in it. Take your puppy in there every so often to go potty. Soon he will know that there are two ways to go potty, on a leash or in an X-pen. Here again, TRAIN for this. You never know when you will be faced with the necessity of knowing that your dog CAN do this. Especially if you are going to send your dog out with a handler, since there are many handlers who set up their own x-pens for their own "string" of dogs.
TWO PUPS IN THE HANDLER'S X-PEN AT A DOG SHOW
Being A Good Exhibitor Means Watching Your Manners!
Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more irritating than to step in dog poop when you are all cleaned up and ready to go in the ring. Or have your dog step in bubble gum. Or have ice cream dripped on to your dog’s coat just before he enters the ring. You are responsible for your dog’s mess, carry plastic bags with you! And offer them to exhibitors who don’t “bother”. (In a pleasant voice, and with a smile!) All of these things, even if you can’t avoid them yourself, can be avoided BY YOU! Be a good exhibitor and follow the Golden Rules of good responsible dog ownership, wherever you travel.