The Easy Way To Crate Train A Dog
Crate training, also called kennel training, teaches a dog to spend time in a plastic, wooden or wire enclosure called a dog crate. A common misconception is that this is cruel, when in fact dogs actually love the security of the crate.
The crate is just a way of recreating what wild dogs have always done – seek out a warm, secure den in which to curl up.
Start crate training from the very first night you bring your puppy home. By this time, you should have already bought the crate. Buy one that is suitable for your dog's fully-grown size, but make sure that is has a panel that allows you to adjust the space as the pup grows. Start by setting the panel so the dog has enough space to turn around, but not much else.
Use a soft towel as bedding, rather than a blanket. The towel will be just as comfortable, but better at mopping up any spills.If your pup was bought from a breeder, see if you can get a strip of blanket with the mother's smell on it. This will help the puppy accept the crate more quickly.
Often dog owners put the crate in some secluded corner of the house – this is a mistake. Remember that dogs are social animals and thrive on interaction. Pick a spot where there are plenty of comings and goings, so the puppy doesn't feel left out.
At night you should put the crate in your bedroom – at least in the early weeks. The puppy will kick up a fuss at first. This is only to be expected, as she'll be frightened by her new surroundings and most likely missing her mom and littermates.
Don't pander to every cry though, or you will be up half the night once she figures out that you come running every time she cries.
Within a couple of days she'll be happily sleeping in here crate. After a few weeks you can move her to another part of the house at night. One again, she'll probably whine and howl, but provided you don't come running she'll soon accept her new accommodations.
Pretty soon she'll love her crate and will probably sleep there by choice.
Crate training is also a real boon for housebreaking. Dogs are instinctively clean animals who don't 'go' where they sleep. For this reason your pup will learn from an early age how to 'keep it in', while she's in the crate.
Remember that your pup will not have the bladder control of an adult dog, so keep her stays in the crate short – no more than an hour at a time.
When she starts barking and whining, take her outdoors immediately. Praise her when she does her business outdoors and she'll virtually house train herself.
Read more about crate training puppies, facts about dogs, dog health and other helpful dog information at Dogs and Dog Training
