Author: Kelly Marshall
Crate training is one of the best possible things that you can
do for your puppy. Not only will the puppy be easier to
housetrain but overall you will have a happier, more secure dog
that has his or her own place to sleep and stay both when you
are home and when you are away. Crate training is also an asset
when you plan to travel with your dog or puppy. Crate training
keeps the animal calm on airplanes and also keeps you pet safe
when driving. Crates can be attached to seats by seatbelts and
harnesses similar to how children's car seats are fastened into
the car. Just like car seats they prevent injury to the dog in
the case of a sudden stop or an accident.
Crate training does not happen overnight, and does require both
work and attention by the owner. Crate training should never be
used as a punishment for a mistake or a bad behavior, or the
dog or puppy will see the crate as a bad place and this will
defeat the whole purpose of the training. To start the crate
training in the most positive way start very slowly and only
progress at the rate the puppy is comfortable with.
Picking The Right Size Crate
Depending on how large your puppy will get it will usually make
sense to buy the size that will fit the full sized dog rather
than having to buy multiple crates as your puppy grows. It is
important, however, if the puppy is small and the crate is
larger that you limit the space in the crate for the small
puppy or he or she will simply use one end for the bathroom and
one end as the "den". To make a large crate smaller a mesh
screen or piece of wood can be used and then slide to give more
room as the puppy matures. When necessary it can be completely
removed to give the older dog full use of the crate area.
The idea size of crate, or crate area, is about the length of
the dog when it is down, paws extended. Most crates come in
standard widths that will allow small dogs to really stretch
out but may require larger dogs to sleep in a coiled position.
Dogs should be able to stand up comfortably in the crate
without the top of the crate pressing on their head or
shoulders.
Giant or very large breeds of dogs will generally outgrow most
commercial crates before they completely mature. Some specially
made crates for large breeds are available on the internet and
through breed associations or even pet stores.
Getting Started
Getting started means just familiarizing the puppy with the
crate. Make sure the crate is the correct size and that there
is comfortable bedding in the crate. Start by sitting with the
puppy in front of the open crate. Place a treat, with the puppy
seeing the placement, into the very front of the crate. When the
puppy reaches in to get the treat say "Crate" and the puppy's
name, just once. Allow the puppy to take the treat out of the
crate, and do not close the door. Do not try to keep the puppy
in the crate longer and make no comment when the puppy exits
the crate. Next time repeat the process putting the treat in
far enough the puppy must step in completely. Again, when
approaching the crate say "Crate" and the puppy's name, and
then say "Good Dog" and the puppy's name when they are in the
crate. Allow them to exit when they want and ignore the exiting
behavior.
Gradually feed a few treats through the side of the crate to
encourage the puppy to stay. Always allow him or her to exit
when they want, but only praise the going in behavior, never
the coming out!
Within a few days the puppy will be comfortable in the crate
for a few minutes. Try closing the door but only for a minute
at a time, staying right beside the crate. With the puppy's
comfort level leave the crate door closed for longer periods
and begin to move away for a few seconds, gradually lengthening
the time.
Never return and open the crate when the puppy starts to whine
or bark, as this will encourage this behavior. Wait until the
puppy is quiet before taking him or her out of the crate. Never
leave a puppy in the crate for more than 2 to 4 hours at a time,
especially when they are small and are not yet housetrained.
About The Author: To make the crate comfortable for your puppy,
consider purchasing a new crate mat or crate pad. Find some
stylish ones here:
http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-mats-crate-pads
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