| Dog Crate Training | | | | den that cannot be easily cleaned. Crate training |
| You know what it is like. You have collected your | | | | works though because your dog does not really |
| new dog and very excited to have a new friend. All | | | | want to mess his den so will encourage him to hold it |
| you want to do is love and cuddle him, but you know | | | | for as long as possible. Take him outside in the |
| deep down the training starts as soon as you get | | | | garden or open area at night before you put him in |
| him home. Do you crate train or not? Dogs' instincts | | | | his crate for the night. In the morning put your dog |
| will help with this sort of training as they are by | | | | out as early as possible. |
| nature den animals and he will therefore feel happy | | | | Remember young puppies cannot hold their bladder |
| and secure in his crate. Because of this he will not | | | | for too long. When they are younger than 12 weeks |
| want to soil where he sleeps. This will make house | | | | they really need to go outside every couple of hours |
| training a lot easier for you. Your part in crate training | | | | or so. You will have to use your own judgement on |
| your dog is to persuade him that the crate is his bed | | | | the duration you keep your dog in his crate. |
| now. | | | | Make the crate training positive |
| Dog crate training involves rewarding a dog for | | | | Always do your best to make the crate a positive |
| entering the crate and staying in there.The idea is to | | | | experience. Never use the crate as a punishment. |
| use the crate as part of a play session, letting the | | | | You want your dog to see his crate as somewhere |
| dog feed in the crate, and having your dog explore | | | | safe. When you first use the crate be prepared for |
| and use until it is part of his daily life. Always pick a | | | | your puppy or dog to make a fuss. Your dog will get |
| crate that is the right size for your dog. The crate | | | | used to his crate even though to begin with he will |
| needs to be just big enough for the dog to stand in | | | | cry and howl but have patience because crate |
| and turn around. If the crate is too big it defeats the | | | | training your dog is the right decision. Give your dog |
| purpose of crate training. | | | | lot of treats when he goes into his crate and he will |
| When your new dog or puppy first gets home and | | | | eventually go in on his own accord. As with any kind |
| he is first in his crate he might howl and cry wanting | | | | of dog training take it slowly as you do not want |
| to get out. Expect this and restrain yourself. It is | | | | your dog or puppy to feel uncomfortable. |
| very natural for your dog to be out with you. | | | | Is dog crate training cruel? |
| Remember you need to let him know where his | | | | Some people look upon crate training as cruel to |
| place is in the family unit. Crate training is the best | | | | dogs. Obviously if you leave your dog in his crate for |
| way to house train your dog or puppy and if you let | | | | hours at a time, it is. When you are at home let your |
| him out and allow him to free reign in your house be | | | | dog out of the crate. Sometimes it will be impossible |
| prepared for the mess that will surely happen. | | | | to be at home during the day, when you are at |
| Getting started with dog crate training. | | | | work for instance, try to get someone to take him |
| Make the crate a comfortable, pleasant place for | | | | out for a walk or consider taking your dog to a |
| your dog. It is a good idea to let him have his | | | | doggie daycare if possible. This will also help your dog |
| favourite toy in the crate with him. It can be a toy | | | | mix with other dogs as well. |
| or a piece of clothing he is fond of but if your dog | | | | When you need to travel in your car and you take |
| destroys these things then minimise what goes into | | | | your dog with you, a crate is the safest way for |
| the crate. | | | | your dog to travel. It will keep him from getting in |
| Associate the crate with pleasant things so feed him | | | | your way and causing havoc if he sees a cat or |
| in his crate and give him reward treats. | | | | other animal on the side of the road or in a field. If |
| If he has had an accident scold him then put him | | | | your dog is already used to a crate it will help him to |
| outside and not in the crate. If you scold him then | | | | go into the crate without feeling stressed. All in all |
| put him in his crate he will associate bad feelings with | | | | less stressful for you as well. |
| the crate and will make training him very difficult. | | | | It is really up to you whether you decide to crate |
| When it is time to put your dog in the crate at night, | | | | train. Use it properly and it will help with your house |
| leave him and do not keep checking him. He will settle | | | | training which it turn means a happier dog and a |
| down in his own time. | | | | happier you. |
| It is worth remembering that your dog will mess his | | | | Enjoy training your dog. |
| crate at some point. Try not to put anything in his | | | | |