Crate Training a Puppy

Crate training a puppy makes all the other steps in dog’s training go so much smoother, the same way a solid foundation makes for a superior wall.

Establishing you as the Alpha member of his “pack” is one very good reason for when he is very young.

Another reason for crate training is that puppies need predictability.

To be able to predict what is going to happen in any given situation makes it happy, and more apt to be the best-behaved dog it can possibly be.

A strong crate is the very basis of good dog training. The best kind are wire crates with a safety lock.   Make sure it is large enough for it to stand up and turn around.But not so big that he/she can roam and wander around. A too-large crate will inhibit house breaking.

A crate that is just the right size will be perceived as his “nest”, where puppies never “go potty”. They will learn to keep it if you don’t turn it into a prison.

Click Here to Get the Best Guide to Crate Training your Puppy!

Do not leave a puppy under 8 weeks, longer than one hour in his/her crate. It will soil it, after struggling and moaning as long as he can.

Put a nice pad in there with a bone. Start by placing a tasty treat in there, it will go in and get it. Do this several times without closing the door, let it come in and out freely for an hour or so. Praise it highly each time s/he goes in; make it all very pleasant.

Once its attention is on the treat, close the door. Praise him/her quietly, “What a good boy/girl, it’s ok, such a good boy/girl!” In 10 or 20 seconds, no longer, let him/her out without praising, just a pat.Do this for increasingly longer intervals, but do not give it an opportunity to get upset. You can do this a number of times the first day.

Make sure every training session ends on a happy note; this is crucial.

Once it sees the crate is his/her own private territory, he/she will go in there on his/her own, expecting treats and your attention. When it does, say, “Wanna crate?” with a happy face while getting its treats. Start leaving it in there on its own as from 2 minutes, increasing the time gradually. When you return, avoid making a fuss, just walk over and open the crate. In 3 days he/she will be officially crate-trained, ready to be left alone for some time – no longer than an hour at first.Leave him/her gradually longer, slowly and carefully.

Why do I want a crate for my puppy? Because they love it is the best reason.

They feel very safe and confident in there.

When you leave a puppy alone, |it[he/she] will always have some measure of separation anxiety. This may lead ithim to any behavior that brings him/her comfort such as chewing, digging, or when it is severe, voiding its bowels.

When left in a crate, he/she will feel safe because nothing can get to it, nothing can harm him/her. It will sleep and chew and wait for you to come back. If once you have to leave him/her overnight at the vet, if your dog is not crate trained it will cry the entire time, feeling lost and abandoned.

When your dog is crate trained, it will be confident that you will come back, you always do.Of course the vet’s office is strange and will cause him some anxiety, but nothing like the pure terror he/she will feel without experience in being locked in.

When you crate train a dog, do not make a prison of its crate. Never use it for punishing it. Do not leave him/her there for more than 2 hours, just time for a long puppy nap and some chew time.   Then, it may cry. Don’t remove it while he is crying. This will make him/her think that crying will get it out . In all cases, make sure he/she is being good when you open the door. He/She will learn he/she that crying won’t get him/herout. Don’t make a fuss when you are letting it out, simply open the door and take him/her out to potty.   When it potties, praise it to high heaven! Dogs naturally do not go where they nest, but it might happen.   Do not scold, simply clean it out with a bland face. He/She will have learnt the lesson.  If possible, try to clean it while he/she is outside so it returns to a clean crate.

Crate training a puppy is critical for a dog’s well-being.

Click Here to Get the Best Guide to Crate Training your Puppy!