| You can use crates to train your puppy in many | | | | crate. If he is not happy to settle in, leave the door |
| different areas. All dogs and puppies can be crate | | | | open but always insist that the goes in. Leave some |
| trained regardless of age or breed. A crate can be | | | | fun toys and chews inside the crate for your puppy |
| used for temporary housing, for sick or injured dogs | | | | to play with. |
| (and other animals) and for toilet training your puppy. | | | | Do not use your crate to punish your dog. You want |
| A well set up crate will mimic a wolf's den and will be | | | | the crate to be a fun and safe place for your puppy. |
| a great asset for training any dog. | | | | If you want to use time-out to punish your puppy, |
| Crates come in two different forms. There are hard | | | | use a different area of the house. |
| crates made of steel and soft crates made of | | | | Crate training and toilet training |
| canvas material. Some come on wheels and have one | | | | Most puppies won't go to the toilet where they sleep |
| door; some two doors and most are collapsible so | | | | so you can use a crate to toilet train your dog. You |
| you can move them around. There is a wide variety | | | | will need to use a crate that is just big enough for |
| available from pet stores so it is a good idea to | | | | your puppy to walk into; turn around and lay down. |
| know which one is best for you before you purchase | | | | If it is too big, your puppy may decide to use a |
| it. | | | | corner to go to the toilet in. If you leave your puppy |
| Which crate is best for my puppy? | | | | in a crate for toilet training, you will have to make |
| Steel crates are suitable for taking your puppy in the | | | | sure that you let him out to the toilet as often as |
| car. They are made of thick steel tubing and have a | | | | possible. When he is a few months old he will be able |
| steel tray underneath for easy cleaning. They are | | | | to hold on for hours but in the beginning you will have |
| entirely open so your puppy can see where it is | | | | to be prepared to get him outside to the place |
| going. | | | | where you want him to go as often as possible. The |
| Soft crates are made of durable canvas. They are | | | | quicker you are at doing this, the quicker your puppy |
| usually completely enclosed so your puppy feels | | | | will be trained to go in the place where you want him |
| more secure but they are not suitable for travelling in | | | | to go. |
| a car because they are difficult to anchor down. Soft | | | | Crate training for a sick or injured dog |
| crates are light to carry but can be torn and ripped | | | | The day may come when you need to crate your |
| by an over excited puppy. | | | | puppy or dog if it injured or sick. Often sore legs or |
| Either type of crate can be moved inside the home | | | | joints won't heal if your dog is continually using them. |
| or kennels and outside to the car. You can take | | | | By minimizing movement, your dog will be able to get |
| them wherever you take your dog and provide | | | | better sooner. If you have already crate trained your |
| temporary housing when you are not at home. | | | | dog when he was a puppy, then you will not have |
| Whichever type of crate you choose you have to | | | | much problems getting him used to a crate when he |
| make sure that it is only big enough for your dog or | | | | is older. If not, the best way is to use food as a |
| puppy to get in, turn around and then lay down to | | | | reward and feed and treat your dog when it inside |
| sleep. If you are crate training a puppy, you may | | | | the crate. Cover up the crate to stop draughts and |
| have to purchase a larger one as your puppy out | | | | also to help your sick dog feel more secure. Place the |
| grows the one its in. Getting a crate that just fits | | | | crate in a quiet area of the house where it can |
| your puppy, will stop your puppy from going to the | | | | recover without too many distractions from family |
| toilet in its crate. Once this becomes a habit, it will | | | | members or other pets. |
| make crate toilet training very difficult. | | | | Crate training in the car |
| Crate training at home | | | | Crating your puppy in the car will stop him from |
| Set up your crate in a place that is out of the way | | | | jumping around, feeling car sick and keep your puppy |
| but where your puppy can see what is happening in | | | | very safe in case of accidents. If your puppy doesn't |
| the house. Your puppy needs to feel that his crate is | | | | enjoy travelling in the car, cover up his crate so it is |
| for him only so it is a good idea not to allow children | | | | dark and he can't see. If he suffers from car |
| or other animals inside it. | | | | sickness, allow your puppy to see where he is going |
| Place your puppy's bed and other blankets in the | | | | and have a window down so he gets plenty of fresh |
| crate. Food and water should be available in the crate. | | | | air. Your crate should be anchored safely in your car |
| To stop your puppy spilling bowls, purchase some | | | | to stop it rolling or sliding in an accident. Many puppies |
| stainless steel coup cups (bird feeders) from your | | | | do not enjoy travelling in the car at first and by using |
| local pet store and attach them to the sides. | | | | a crate you can minimize their stress and anxiety. |
| Do not force your puppy into his crate. Leave the | | | | Remember the crate should be your puppy's safe |
| door open and let him get used to it. Throw some | | | | place where he can go if he wants to sleep or get |
| treats in and let him go in and help himself. He should | | | | away from children or other pets that might be |
| be allowed to come out whenever he wants at this | | | | annoying him. You should keep it clean and make sure |
| point. | | | | there is always fresh water, toys, warm bedding and |
| If you see your puppy looking tired or getting ready | | | | nice treats. |
| to take a nap. Pick him up and put him inside his | | | | |