| Considering getting a puppy? Having trouble training a | | | | food or water into the crate. |
| puppy where to potty? Tired of coming home and | | | | Placement of the crate: |
| having your things chewed up? You need a dog | | | | The placement of the crate varies depending on the |
| crate. | | | | purpose of the crate. I keep our Cavalier's crate in |
| Crates are used by trainers, groomers, veterinarians, | | | | the bedroom. The purpose of the crate in our home |
| and sitters. If you ever leave and board your dog, | | | | is for sleeping, holding the dog while we are away |
| they will be using a crate. | | | | from home or are unable to supervise, and a quiet |
| We have had four dogs in our home. I have used | | | | place for them to retreat to. Other dog owners will |
| crates with three of them and will forever more!! I | | | | put the crate in the room where the family spends |
| was in the mind frame that a crate was cruel; I | | | | most of their time. |
| quickly learned that that was not at all the case. It | | | | How to introduce your dog to a crate: |
| has turned out to be more like a playpen for our | | | | 1. Make the crate comfortable and appealing |
| pups. I used a playpen to keep my daughter safe | | | | 2. Put treat/toy in the crate |
| and to give her a place to nap; a crating is the same | | | | 3. Sit by the crate with the door open |
| concept. I have been pleasantly surprised with each | | | | 4. Let the dog wonder in and out of the crate, find |
| dog we used it with. My house can get a little crazy. | | | | the treat, and play with the toy |
| I only have one child, but we always have neighbor | | | | 5. Do not force the pup into the crate when you are |
| kids, friends, and church family members over to our | | | | introducing it |
| home. The Cavaliers tend to go nap in their crates (all | | | | 6. After about 20 minutes, put the dog in and close |
| by themselves) when our house gets loud and crazy. | | | | the door |
| Dogs by nature look for dens to sleep in and have | | | | 7. Stay by the crate, put your fingers in and praise |
| their puppies in. Mother dogs teach their puppies not | | | | the dog, letting him know that everything is ok |
| to go potty in the area they sleep. This is an instinct. | | | | 8. Let out after a few minutes unless whining |
| Have you ever noticed your puppy sleeping under a | | | | 9. Never let the dog out if he is whining |
| piece of furniture? | | | | 10. Do not make a big deal out of letting the dog out |
| Reason to use a crate: | | | | of the kennel |
| Keeps puppy safe when no on can supervise them | | | | 11. Put puppy into the crate while napping, leaving the |
| Keeps puppy from chewing on your property | | | | door open |
| Safe place for dog to rest | | | | 12. Make it clear to all family members that when the |
| House training | | | | pup goes into the crate by himself to leave him alone. |
| Travel | | | | The crate is HIS domain for privacy and relaxation. |
| Types of crates: | | | | Crating during the night:o Allow the puppy to go |
| There are many types of crates on the market. | | | | pottyo Play with the puppy to wear him outo Expect |
| Plastic, metal, and wire tend to be the most popular. I | | | | whining for the first few nights. It is a new |
| prefer the wire crates. I like the fact that the wire | | | | experience.o Put the crate close to your bed.o Put |
| crate is open on top and the sides for ventilation and | | | | your fingers in the crate so the puppy knows you |
| are easy to clean. The crate folds down for easy | | | | are thereo Usually if he whines for more than 10 |
| storage and transportation. | | | | minutes, I will take him outside to potty, bringing him |
| Size of Crates: | | | | back and returning him to his crate. Do not play with |
| Dog Crates come in many different sizes. The height | | | | or cuddle him. |
| and length of your adult dog will determine what size | | | | Whining issues: |
| kennel to purchase. Your dog should be able to stand | | | | The pup is going to whine. He likes to be with you. |
| up, without hitting it's head on the top, turn around, | | | | Before leaving the pup in the crate for more than a |
| and lie down stretched out to the full length of its | | | | few minutes, allow the pup to empty his bladder and |
| body without being cramped. Most wire crates come | | | | bowels. Exercise the pup until he is worn out will cut |
| with a divider. This allows you to make the crate | | | | down on whining. Never yell at the dog or hit the |
| smaller when the dog is a puppy and larger as the | | | | kennel. I never let the dog out of the kennel when |
| puppy grows. You will only need to purchase one | | | | he is whining. Always wait until he stops. |
| crate instead of different sized crates as the puppy | | | | Amount of time a puppy can spend in a crate before |
| grows. | | | | needing to go potty:o 2-4 months - 2-3 hourso 5-6 |
| What to put into the crate: | | | | months - 4 hourso 6-12 months - 5-6 hourso 12 |
| Make the crate inviting. Put in the crate a washable | | | | months plus - max of 8 hours |
| pad, blanket, or a pillow. Put items in the crate that is | | | | Crates are not to be used as prisons. They can be |
| puppy safe. Just remember, the items will more | | | | easily abused. But if used properly, crates are a great |
| thank likely be chewed on by the puppy. Never put | | | | asset to you and your puppy! |