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.

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