Guide To Crate Training A New Dog Or Young Puppy

Article Title: Guide To Crate Training A New Dog Or Young Puppy
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

How To Choose Your Dog's Name

Article Title: How To Choose Your Dog's Name
Author: Bart LeToad

One of best things about buying a new puppy and owning a dog is
the fun you can have with your family in choosing a name. If
your pet dog is going to be just a family pet and you have no
intentions of trying to train them to be a show dog. I
personally like to stick with simple, one syllable names. Your
dog is going to learn several voice commands during its
lifetime, and it's always best to keep their names simple. For
example, I personally have three dogs and their names are Norm,
Bob and Gus. Now if you decide that your dog is going to be a
show dog, there's a little bit more to consider when choosing a
name.

Usually, if you have purchased your dog from a reputable
kennel, the name of the kennel becomes the first part of your
dog's name. An example of that would be something like
Pendergrass Norm. If you break your dog yourself and obviously
you would want to use your own kennel name. Keep in mind that
the AKC also known as American kennel club does not allow
duplicate names. So you will want to be as original as
possible. If for some odd reason, you have selected a name that
is already in use. They will ask you to change your dog's name.

If you decide to go the show dog route, you'll want to pick as
flamboyant and original name is possible to attract attention
to your dog during the show. This will reduce the chance of you
duplicating another dog's name. A good example of this would be
something like Pendergrass Liberty Bell, and then when your dog
is at home rather than calling at Pendergrass Liberty Bell. You
can do shorten it down to Bell. That keeps it simple for you as
well as your dog.

Now, if your dog just going to be the everyday family pet. Like
I mentioned before, single syllable names are the best route to
go. I base this on the training that you and your dog will
receive in the commands they will have to learn. A name like
Gus or Bob is easy for the dog to remember and recognize just
like the commands they will learn such as sit, stay, come and
heel. Have fun with picking a name, used people names, if you
want to. Some folks like to name their dogs after their
favorite beverage. Others like to name their dog based on their
dog personality. Our dog norm got his name because he reminded
us of Norm on the show Cheers.

You now know the basics of naming a dog in with these helpful
tips should be a will choose a name that will suit your pet.
Not only at home, but in the ring.

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