Crate Training Dogs: The Right Way and the Wrong Way - Part Two

Part2: Does your puppy want to be crate trained?and then return to a clean end. With puppies and
Yes! in fact, he does. Your puppy or dog will soondogs this is an important thing to remember when
see his crate as a place of security, IF it'schoosing a crate size.
approached correctly.3. For every month of the age of your puppy, that is
The crate is NEVER to be used as a punishment.how to get an idea of how long he can be crated at
Introduce it gradually and gently; make the crate andone time, (months to hours +1)
your pet's puppy potty training a positive and happy4. Never use the crate as punishment. Never bang on
experience and he will come to view his crate likethe crate to make your puppy stop whining. This can
Linus views his blanket.cause other behavior problems to be exhibited.
Make sure your puppy has a balance of crate timeThe Biggest Contributors to Behavior Problems:
and activity time. He needs ample exercise to beYelling, scolding, hitting, swatting, especially rubbing his
healthy. This is an important part to crate trainingnose in it (which is the worst), or getting upset at
dogs and puppy potty training.your puppy or dog only causes him to become
Being in the crate too much will have a negativefearful of you, and to be confused (usually both).
effect on his personality and puppy behavior. AndAnd this makes potty training much more difficult for
being loose all the time will get him into trouble andboth of you.
may also serve to make him feel insecure andThese archaic methods are the biggest contributors
overwhelmed.to problem dog behavior, (not just in their puppy
A Few Crate Training Dogs Tips:stages, but lasting an entire lifetime). Real Training
1. If you can't supervise, your pup needs to be in thecauses your dog to "learn", and a puppy or dog can't
crate."learn" if they're afraid and/or confused.
This goes for dogs as well. Until your dog or puppy isThe Best News About Appropriate Crate Training:
reliable with each stage of puppy potty training,The greatest thing about my effective but gentle
freedom should be limited.method of crate training dogs, (or crate training
This doesn't mean your pet should be in the crate allpuppies) for puppy potty training is that you will be
the time, but instead watched at all times. And makebuilding the loving relationship you've always wanted
sure your puppy or dog gets ample exercise duringwith your dog based on positive and rewarding
this time. DON'T use the crate TOO much. This canexperiences together as opposed to him doing things
also be detrimental to your puppy's or dog's physicalout of fear, pain or punishment.
and mental well-being.Instead of performing because he is "forced", your
In Puppy Potty Training I give an example of a steppuppy or dog will come to please you naturally. This
by step schedule for crate training puppies.makes the dog's behavior much more reliable and
2.The crate should be an appropriate size for theconsistent and gives him a more confident and
weight and size of your puppy.cooperative personality.
For crate training puppies you may have to find oneSuccessfully crate training dogs, (and crate training
that is adjustable, however I'm not a fan of these aspuppies) can be done very simply through the natural
they're not enclosed and don't promote the feeling ofand gentle methods I explain in Puppy Potty Training.
security near as much as the enclosed crates.My gentle and effective methods of puppy potty
If using an enclosed crate during puppy potty training,training, applied in crate training dogs, will build a
then you can block off the back portion of the cratepositive relationship of cooperation between you and
with something and allow more room as your puppyyour dog during his puppy pottytraining stage.
grows. Make sure that whatever you use toIt's very possible to get your puppy potty trained
customize the size of your crate is safe and securewithout having to use punishment and without having
and won't pose any danger to your puppy.to clean up messes all the time.
For crate training dogs all you need to do is makeMy typical experience with a new puppy is anywhere
sure it's an appropriate size for the dog. He needs tobetween 1 and 4 accidents-total. And the results are
be able to turn around comfortably but not be ablealways a very reliably potty trained, healthy and
to go to one end of the crate and do his businesshappy canine companion.