| Crate training a puppy or dog is a topic that interests | | | | serve as a distraction when its owner is not home. |
| new pet owners. It is a very important method used | | | | The toys must be inedible and large enough to |
| to get dogs house trained. This allows owners to be | | | | ensure that a dog, especially a puppy, will not eat |
| able to trust their pets when they are not home. | | | | them. Another idea to try when crate training a dog |
| The concept behind crate training is that dog owners | | | | is for the owner to leave the television or radio on |
| train their pets to hold going to the bathroom until | | | | when not home. |
| they are taken outside for a walk. The crate training | | | | Dog owners should also look to crate train their pet |
| method on average works well as dogs have a | | | | for short periods when they are actually home. This |
| natural inclination not to potty near themselves. While | | | | is since only crate training the animal when the owner |
| crate training is not difficult, it takes patience and | | | | is away will lead the dog to associate the cage with |
| persistence. Puppies when as young as two to three | | | | feelings of loneliness and punishment. Training the dog |
| months old will still need to relieve themselves | | | | while at home will, on the other hand, lead the animal |
| frequently. It is very important to know the steps | | | | to see the crate as part of its normal experience. |
| involved with crate training in order to get optimal | | | | Another step involved with crate training dogs is that |
| results. | | | | owners must be consistent throughout the entire |
| To begin, a pet owner needs to choose a crate that | | | | process. This is especially relevant where puppies are |
| is not too big for his or her dog. If the crate is too | | | | concerned. Puppies will need to relieve themselves |
| large, a puppy may feel that it is alright to relieve | | | | often. It is thus best to follow the same eating and |
| itself in the crate as a result of the extra space | | | | drinking schedule each day. Most dogs will need to go |
| available. The whole concept behind the crate training | | | | to the bathroom shortly after eating. Therefore, the |
| is to make the dog want to follow its natural instinct | | | | animal should be walked around the same time each |
| and not go to the bathroom near itself. A big crate | | | | day. When the dog cries from the crate, it is best |
| defeats the whole purpose of this idea. With this | | | | for the owner to take it out for a walk as soon as |
| said, a person needs to make sure that the crate is | | | | possible. The dog should also be taken to the same |
| at least big enough to ensure that the dog will not | | | | spots for walking and should be rewarded after the |
| feel uncomfortable in it. He or she needs to take into | | | | walk. Developing these patterns will get the dog into |
| account the dog's breed and how much it will grow | | | | a routine and schedule that will serve both the animal |
| during the period that the crate training will take | | | | and its owner well. |
| place. | | | | It needs to be reinforced that crate training is not |
| The next step involved with crate training is to | | | | going to happen overnight, and pet owners need to |
| remove the doors of the crate when first starting | | | | follow the steps above until the dog is comfortable |
| the process. A pet owner needs to guide his or her | | | | and properly trained. Patience and persistence will |
| dog in and out of the crate in order to get the animal | | | | result in no accidents in the house and a happier dog |
| used to it. The owner should never force the dog | | | | and owner. |
| into the crate and lock it up without first getting the | | | | In conclusion, crate training is a topic of vast interest |
| dog used to the crate on its own. It may take some | | | | for new dog owners. It involves a number of steps, |
| dogs several days to get used to the cage. In time, | | | | including making sure that a cage is not too big; |
| the dog will become accustomed to the crate. The | | | | removing the doors of the crate; using a comfortable |
| dog will eventually be able to stay in the crate | | | | bed and toys inside of the crate; training the dog for |
| without whimpering, and an owner should encourage | | | | short periods of time when the owner is home; and |
| the dog's good behavior in the crate by offering the | | | | being consistent throughout the training process. It |
| animal treats and rewards. | | | | should also be noted that crate training is a process |
| Next, a pet owner needs to provide his or her dog | | | | that will benefit both the dog and owner, and it does |
| with a comfortable bed and toys when crate training | | | | not happen overnight. An owner needs to have |
| the animal. The dog's toys and a couple of treats | | | | patience and persistence in order for crate training to |
| need to be placed at the opposite end of the cage | | | | be a success. |
| door. The toys will cure the dog's boredom and | | | | |