Crate Train A Puppy

Crate Training Your Puppy- The Basics

June 1st, 2010 |

Author: MikeO

Many people think that it is cruel to crate train puppies. I was also under that impression until I read a number of articles on the subject by reputable dog training people encouraging the practice.

Crate Training offers a number of Practical Benefits

1. It keeps your puppy safe. Particularly from chewing electrical cords and your precious items when you cannot be around to watch him. Consider it the same as a playpen for a baby.

2. It is also an invaluable tool in housetraining a puppy. Puppies learn from their mother that they shouldn’t soil their sleeping area. When they are still in the whelping box, the puppies will crawl away from their sleeping area to a location they chose as the potty area, and eliminate there. They are already innately trained not to dirty their resting place.

Some other considerations:

Crate Training A Puppy – Encourages your Dog’s Natural Denning Instinct
In the wild, adult dogs will naturally find a den or safe area to sleep. When the dam whelps the pups in the wild, she would set up a den and keep it clean until the pups are old enough to venture out on their own. She teaches them not to soil the place where they sleep. Domestic dogs will also naturally den. You will often see a dog sleeping under a table or desk or next to a piece of furniture if no other area is provided for them to sleep. It is not cruel to crate train a puppy and develop this habit from the time you bring the puppy home. In fact, it is cruel not to give the pup or dog a safe area they can call their own.

Crate Train A Puppy-Setting The Rules From The Beginning
When you crate train a puppy and he whelps, it is probably because he would rather be snuggled up close to you the way he was with his littermates. If you allow the puppy access to your lap, bed, couch or chair when you first get the puppy then it will be more difficult to eliminate these behaviors as the puppy grows up. Think of what the adult size of your dog will be and decide if you have room in your lap, bed, etc. for the the adult dog. You must decide before you bring the puppy home what the “rules” will be and be consistent in enforcing them.

Crate Train A Puppy-Help From The Breeder
If you’re fortunate, the breeder has begun to crate train the puppies while they are still in the whelping box by providing a crate for them to sleep in. If this is so, then all you have to do is to let the puppy to get used to it’s new crate, the smells and your home. This will allow your crate training will go much faster. If possible, get a familiar piece of bedding from the breeder, one which has the smells of the litter on it. Then place this in the crate along with the other pads or towels. This will help the puppy feel more comfortable. You can return this to the breeder once the puppy is used to his new home.

Related Blogs

Your Ad Here

Posted in Crate Train A Puppy Articles |

Tags: crate, crate training, dog training, dogs, puppies, puppy, puppy crate training |

10 Comments »

Crate Train A Puppy- How?

June 2nd, 2010 |

Author: MikeO

Crate Train A Puppy

When you crate train a puppy, you teach your dog good behavior, as well as give your dog his own special space. Benefits when you crate train a puppy include:

Preventing damage to your furniture and other household valuables you’re not around
Helps you teach your puppy proper chewing and bathroom behavior
Provides security for your puppy and safety for kids in your home
Easy traveling
Improves your relationship with your puppy
Gives your puppy a den which is in their nature

Before you begin to crate train a puppy, make sure that the crate is big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in. When using the crate for house training it is important to make sure the crate is only big enough for your pet to stand up and turn around in, because any larger and they can soil in one area and sleep in the other. Pet stores sell many different sizes of crates so you can find the one that best fits your puppy.

Because dogs are social animals, they need interaction to be happy. Place the crate in a room where it is bright and has lots of activity, i.e. your family room. If you put the crate in a dark and lonely area, the dog will feel it is being punished and will learn to despise the crate. Finally, the crate should be used as your pet’s retreat, or “sanctuary” — it should never be used for punishment (the crate should contain his favorite safe and suitable toys). Use the crate to avoid problems such as chewing and jumping before they occur, and use a separate space if you wish to put your dog in “time out.”

Crate Training Puppies

Begin crate training with your puppy early in the day so he has a whole day to get used to the crate. Place his favorite treats, toys or food in the crate to motivate him to enter the crate on his own. The first time you confine your puppy to the crate, he should be ready to take a nap, so schedule this for after a play or exercise session and after he has gone to relieve himself. Leave the room but stay close enough to be able to hear him. It is usual for your puppy to cry or whine at first, but don’t reward him by letting him out when he cries. It may be difficult, but you must ignore his cries until they stop before you release him from the crate.

Playing “crate” games can help puppies learn to love the crate. One such game is to teach your dog to lie down and stay when you open the door to the crate. Once the puppy has done this they are given a “release cue” and are given a treat for their good behavior. Other games include “go to your crate” game. This game is done by hiding treats in the crate or throwing treats in the crate when your puppy goes in so that they associate going into the crate with rewards. It is important that your puppy not see you put the treats in the crate

Crate Training Adult Dogs

Crate training an adult dog is similar to the process when you crate train a puppy except for the introduction of your dog to his crate. Set up your dog’s crate in his feeding area and leave the door open for a few days. Place food, treats and toys in the crate so the dog goes in on his own. Close the crate door only after your dog fully enters the crate on his own.

Similar to puppies, your dog may cry or whine at first (remember not to reward them by going to them when they cry). Slowly increase the amount of time that your dog must remain quiet in the crate before you release and reward him. With patience and lots of treats, your dog will learn to love his den and will enter it whenever he wants some personal time.

Related Blogs

Your Ad Here

Posted in Crate Train A Puppy Articles |

Tags: crate, crate train a puppy, crate training, crate training puppy, dog training, puppy, puppy crate training |

7 Comments »

Dog Training Tips : How to Clean a Dog Crate

December 11th, 2010 |

Author: MikeO

When cleaning a dog crate, use a germicidal detergent to protect against canine parvovirus and to give the next dog a nice environment to live in. Clean a dog crate with the tips in this free video on dog training from a professional dog trainer. Expert: Zephyr Clarke-Dolberg Contact: www.miami-dog-training.com Bio: Zephyr Clarke-Dolberg is a certified professional dog trainer in Miami, Fla. Filmmaker: Paul Muller

Free Link Directory

Your Ad Here