Overcoming Crate Training Issues

Crate training your puppy is a great way to train your dog while keeping him safe and protecting your home and belongings from destructive puppy tendencies while you are away or sleeping.

But some pet owners find they run into a variety of issues with crate training, from the dog being scared of the crate to injuring itself while in it.

The following are some tips for overcoming some common crate training issues:

Puppy doesn't want to go into the crate.

Most dogs, especially puppies, like tight, enclosed areas. It reminds them of being with their mother and littermates and helps them feel secure. However, some puppies don't want to go into the crate, and coaxing them in can be difficult.

You can help your puppy be more comfortable in his crate by slowly easing him into it, then giving him lots of praise when he goes in. Put things he will find enjoyable, such as a blanket from his bed or toys, into his crate. You can also feed him his meals in his crate, which will help him associate the pleasure of food with the crate. Puppies also like to be close to their families, so placing it in an area where the family congregates is also a good idea.

Also, you shouldn't be using your crate as punishment for the puppy. Doing this will make him associate wrongdoing, punishment, and social isolation with the crate, making him not want to go in.

The puppy is getting injured in his crate.

Some pet owners have mentioned that their dogs seem to be getting minor injuries while in their crate. Some of the more common ones include

· Nosebleeds. Puppies like to burrow their noses in things, but when they do this in their kennel, it can rub the nose raw. You can buy pads and bumpers in pet stores

· Hair loss or sores. When dogs like to curl up while in their crate, sometimes they will rub against the metal bars. This can cause hair loss or friction sores. You can avoid this by making sure the crate is big enough for the dog, and you can purchase bumpers or pads to go against the wire.

· Chewing. Most puppies are chewers, but chewing on crate bars can break teeth. You can keep your puppy from chewing on wire bars by spraying a deterrent (these can be purchased inexpensively from pet stores) on the bars.

You want your crate to be comfortable for the puppy, and if he is getting injured by it, make sure you get the proper attachments to keep him safe.

The puppy barks when he goes into his crate.

Dogs are social animals and want to be with their "pack". If your dog is barking when he goes into his crate, it means he wants to be with everyone else. Ideally if you are home, your dog is not in his crate, but too much barking and whining can disturb your neighbors. You can cover the crate with a blanket to minimize distractions, but otherwise, ignore the dog and he will soon stop.

Crate training is an effective way to train your dog for a number of different things, from housetraining to learning not to be destructive. While crate training, you might run into a few issues, but the above tips will help you to overcome them.

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