| I will never understand why dog crate training has | | | | frequently. You should let him out and take him to his |
| got such a bad name. Dogs naturally like to live in a | | | | designated area about once every hour to avoid |
| den and a crate makes an ideal den. I think it is | | | | accidents inside the crate. |
| probably because people think that the dog should be | | | | 7. No collars |
| forced into it and confined for many hours there | | | | 8. - To avoid a choking hazard you should take his |
| against his will. It is true that it can take time to get | | | | collar off before he goes into the crate. |
| your dog used to his crate but it is well worth the | | | | 9. Make the crate comfortable |
| trouble and you will own a happier dog as a result. | | | | 10. - Your dog should see the crate as a safe and |
| You just have to care to follow these seven steps. | | | | secure area - a place of his own. Therefore, aim to |
| | | | make it as comfortable as possible, with toys, |
| 1. Take your time | | | | blankets, and anything else that will make the dog |
| 2. - Never try to rush crate training, otherwise you | | | | feel more at home. In addition, remember your dog |
| will make things more difficult for both you and him. | | | | always needs access to fresh water so make sure |
| It can take your dog a while to get used to it so | | | | that this is provided. Crates often have a small |
| introduce it to him with patience and understanding. | | | | bucket that attaches on the inside. |
| Put a few toys and treat in there, leave the door | | | | 11. Do not use the crate as punishment |
| open until he is used to going in there. Make the | | | | 12. - Your dog should never be sent to his crate as a |
| association between crate and security. | | | | form of punishment. Similarly, you should make sure |
| 3. Monitor how long your dog is put in the crate | | | | that he cannot be harassed by anyone while he is in |
| 4. - It is not supposed to be an area where your dog | | | | his crate. Remember you want his crate to seem like |
| spends all of his time. Owning a dog is silly if you are | | | | his safe haven. |
| going to put him in a crate all day while you are at | | | | 13. If you are using a second-hand crate, make sure |
| work, all evening while you have dinner and watch | | | | it is clean |
| television and all night while you are asleep. The crate | | | | 14. - If the crate you are using already smells like |
| should be used as and when needed, not as a | | | | another dog's home, your dog will take longer to get |
| permanent measure to keep your pet from under | | | | used to it and will have difficulty feeling as though it's |
| your feet. | | | | his own special place. If you're using a pre-owned |
| 5. Be careful with young puppies | | | | crate, give it a good scrub first, and make sure all |
| 6. - When you are using the crate for your puppy, | | | | the bedding is clean. |
| remember that he will need to relieve himself | | | | |