Effective Steps To Crate Training Puppies
The steps to crate training puppies have been well defined by expert dog handlers, most of whom agree on the basics. You must have a properly sized crate, make it attractive to your pet, carry out the training with patience, and lavish praise on your puppy as it learns its lessons.
A crate, if used properly, will become a den and a safe place for your pet. Dogs have an instinctive attraction to their own cozy space and will try to keep it dry and clean. You also should regard the crate as a positive, never using confinement as a punishment but giving affection and a treat or a toy when you lock your dog in.
Start introducing a dog – of any age – to the crate with a treat to induce it to enter voluntarily. Gentle urging and pushing may be necessary at first. Plan to leave the dog for a short time only at first, going about your business and leaving your pet to settle in. It is vital to ignore any fussiness, since you do not want to reward this behavior with even negative attention. Do not let the animal persuade you to release it by whining or barking.
At first, the time in the crate should be very short. Puppies under twelve weeks of age cannot go much more than an hour between potty breaks, and any baby will get bored if confined too long at first. The most important thing is to ignore whining, barking, or scratching to be let out. You do not want to reward this behavior with any attention at all, even yelling. When the animal is lying quietly, you can let it out (eagerness when it see you approaching is natural and allowed.)
Housebreaking using a crate is fairly simple. It is based on the knowledge that animals rarely soil their dens. Therefore, a dog who is prone to accidents in the house will probably do a better job of controlling itself while in a crate. As long as you give the dog timely opportunities to go outside, so an accident is just that rather than a necessity, you can protect your carpets and floors.
Part of the housebreaking routine is to take the dog outside immediately upon release from the crate, giving a verbal command like ‘Go ahead’, and praising the dog lavishly when it relieves itself. This training will come in handy at other times as well, such as on trips or during late night walks when you want the dog to cooperate as fast as possible.
Having a crate also means that you can leave home without worrying that your puppy will eat your shoes and anything else within reach. Both your stuff and your pet will be safer when home alone dogs are in crates. The crate also encourages a dog to wait until you come home to relieve itself; many dogs successfully spend hours in a crate while they are subject to accidents when far less time has passed while loose in the house.
As with any training, the steps to crate training a puppy will work best when used with patience and lots of praise for good behavior. Proceed gradually, making sure your pet understands what you want, give the new system time to take effect, and let your companion know how much you appreciate his cooperation.
Looking to read more about the steps to crate training, then visit TW Bell’s site on how to pick the best dog crate for your animals needs.
