Crate Training Tips

Crate training is a form of training your dog and puppy that is said to be the ultimate babysitter--crate training keeps your dog and your home safe by keeping your puppy confined to a crate for short amounts of time when you can't supervise it. Crate training is also a useful tool for housebreaking.

If you have never crate trained a dog before, the following are a few tips to help you get started:

Choose the right crate.

The size and material of the crate you choose will be an important factor in crate training. Choosing the right crate is important because getting the wrong size or material can result in having to replace it, a costly error.

One thing to take into consideration is the size of the crate. It should be just big enough for the puppy to turn around and lie down; otherwise, he might use the bathroom on one end and lie down on the other, which defeats the purpose of crate training. Unless you can afford to get a new crate for every stage of the puppy's development, get one large enough to accommodate him as an adult, then put a sturdy divider up when he is a puppy.
Introduce your dog to the crate.

The crate training process will be much easier if you make sure your puppy is used to it before you start crating him. Start a few days before. Leave the crate out and leave the door open. Let your puppy sniff and investigate it, then praise him when he goes in and out of it.

It's also a good idea to put your puppy's bedding in the crate. You can also put treats in the crate to let him get used to it. Start feeding your puppy his meals in the crate, so when it comes time to leave him there, he will already be comfortable.

Start gradually.

It's not a good idea to introduce your puppy to his crate and then leave him in it for eight hours while you're at work. In fact, you shouldn't be leaving him in it for stretches of more than three or four hours at a time--young puppies can't hold their bladders or bowels much longer than that.

Don't shut the puppy off completely.

If you put your puppy's crate in, say, a laundry room and close the door, he is going to feel isolated and will then have a harder time being crate trained. Instead, put the crate in a fairly high traffic area, such as a corner in the kitchen. Putting him in the corner will help him to feel safe, while still being around the family.

Don't punish or reward whining.

The first few nights will be hard, because the puppy will probably whine to join the family. However, this should just be ignored--he will stop eventually. Also, be careful to know whether he is whining to be let out to eliminate, or just whining for attention.

Be patient.

The crate training process can take a few days, or it can take a few months. Each puppy is different, so it's important to be patient while you both get used to the new routine. Soon, your puppy will be comfortable in his crate, but it requires patience and consistency on your part.

These are just a few helpful tips for crate training your puppy.

More Dog Training

More Learn About Dogs

« Buying From A Responsible Breeder | Only Dog Beds | Qualities of a Good Dog Breeder »