Learn the Basics of Crate Training for your Puppy
A crate is a safe haven for your puppy, it is a place they feel safe and secure. Dogs are den animals, you may have noticed that dogs will seek out small dark areas such as under the bed, it is their retreat. So providing a crate for your puppy will not only give them a safe place to retreat to, it will also help with potty training.
Early crate training helps reduce anxiety in your puppy during events in which they may need to be crated such as a visit to the vet or when you go on vacation and they stay at a friends. Crate training helps your puppy develop confidence and promotes good behavior
Crate training will help other training areas as well like potty training and obedience taining, it will help reduce anxiety for your puppy for those times when you must crate them during travel or a visit to the vet.
When you decide to purchase a crate for your puppy, make sure you buy one to fit their current size, not one that they will grow into. If the crate is too big then it will not feel like a den to them. When the crate is just the right size, your puppy will resist the urge to use it as a potty place because by nature they want to keep their den clean.
Start by getting your puppy used to the crate, you want him to start exploring it on his own. He will naturally be curious about it when he first sees it. He may even feel intimidated, so don’t rush things.
First, tie the door open so it can’t close on its own and frighten your puppy. Keep it in a room such as the living room where family members may be hanging out. This will allow him to feel comfortable and start exploring.
Try placing some treats inside the crate, this will help him to start associating the crate with good things and he will want to go back. Praise your puppy when he goes into the crate to get his treat.
The crate should be comfortable inside, make sure to place some blankets or towels in there. Don’t place a waterbowl or food inside, spilled water will make his den unconfortable, and it is not advisable to let your puppy eat unattended while in the crate.
Younger puppies cannot hold their bladder for very long so don’t leave them in the crate too long or your crate training will backfire. Over time you can increase the intervals. Once you start closing the door, be sure to keep puppy’s time in the crate short. Try crating puppy after a potty break for about 15 or 20 minutes. Praise puppy for the good work.
As soon as you take puppy out of the crate, go right outside to the potty spot, this will help speed up the potty training process. If puppy goes potty, make sure you praise, offer treats, and play, if not, then back to the crate for another short interval. Repeat this routine several times a day. Consistency is the key.
Remember to be consistent with the training and both you and your puppy will be happy.
Want to find out more about puppy crate training, then see more articles by Richard Reidman-Freed’s about puppy training .
