2 Steps To Crate Training Your Puppy

If you are reading this, you have probably heard of crate training and want to know how to crate

train your puppy. It is actually quite easy and your puppy will appreciate it. Dogs like the security

and safety that a "den" provides and the crate serves as a "den" for them.

Crate training your puppy helps you with house training and housebreaking because dogs will not

"mess" in their den unless there is simply no where else to go. Crate training also helps establish

you as the "alpha" dog which, in turn, helps you train your puppy.

There are two steps in crate training.

1. Select A Crate

A crate is simply a confined area. A box isn't good because your puppy can not see what is going

on around him/her. A wire crate is best because your puppy can see, smell, and hear what is going

on around him/her and adjust to you and your family. Also, the crate needs to have a lock.

You need to select a crate that is not too small or too large. A crate is too small if your puppy

cannot stand up and turn around in it. A crate is too big if your puppy can roam around in it. If

the crate is too big, your puppy will pick a corner in which to "mess" and sleep in another corner.

This will make house training and housebreaking difficult. Ideally, the crate needs to be big

enough for your puppy to stand up in and stretch, but not big enough for your puppy to move

around in very much.

You need to furnish the crate with a soft place for your puppy to lay down. Put some water and

play toys in it.

2. Crate Training

At first, put a dog treat in the crate and encourage your puppy to go into the crate. Keep your

puppy in the crate for only a few minutes (5 to 10 minutes) and then let him/her out. Do not make

a fuss about either putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate. Each

time make the time in the crate a little longer. Your puppy needs to slowly adjust to being in the

crate. Eventually, your puppy will be able to stay in the crate when you are not home and at night.

But, remember that a puppy needs to go to "go to the bathroom" fairly often, so keep this in

mind. Do not keep your puppy in a crate all day. Give your puppy time to exercise and to "go to

the bathroom" outside.

Do's and Don'ts

Do place the crate where your puppy can be a member of the family - where your puppy can see,

smell and hear you and your family.

Do not make the crate a prison for your puppy or use it for punishment.

Do let your puppy out if it is obvious that your puppy needs to "go to the bathroom", but do not

let your puppy out just because he/she is barking or fussing just to get out. Let your puppy out

when he/she is being good. Otherwise, your puppy may think that he/she needs to bark or fuss in

order to get out of the crate.

Do not make a fuss about putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate.

In summary, crate training your puppy is easy. Select the proper crate and train your puppy. Crate

training will be a benefit to both you and your puppy.