Crate training puppies makes all other puppy training steps much easier – it forms a good foundation. When you are crate training puppies you are also making sure that you establish yourself as the leader in your puppies eyes.
Well the simple answer is that dogs love predictability, and using a crate will also teach your puppy that you are the boss! Crate training puppies right at the start will make the whole training process run more smoothly.
One thing that you need to make sure of is that you buy the right size crate for your puppy. He must have enough room to stand up and to move around. The metal crates with a door at one side are the best ones to go for – they are nice and strong.
So to get your puppy used to a crate you need to put in a treat and let him walk in and investigate it. Do this a few times, and then when he seems quite happy walking in and out, and he is concentrating on his treat, you need to close the door. This is just for a few seconds the first time, then open it again.
Don’t ever leave your dog in the crate for long periods of time, especially when they are puppies – they will not have very much bladder control. Your puppy will not want to make a mess in his crate, so crate training is a really good aid to potty training. But you must not leave him in there so long that he is not able to hold on and makes a mess. He will be very upset and you will set back his crate training.
To start off with crate training your puppy, put a treat into his crate and praise him when he goes in to the crate to investigate. Do this several times, always praising him. Then you need to close the door for a few seconds – telling him quietly that he is a good boy while you are doing it. It’s probably best to do this while his attention is on the treat. Gradually increase the length of time that the door is closed, but always stay next to it at this stage of crate training.
Do this for several days and then you can begin to go out of the room for a few minutes. It will not take him long to get used to being in his crate. You can increase the length of time you are away from him, but make sure when you go back to him, and open the door you should not make any fuss of him, just a small pat. Don’t ever let him out when he is crying, or he will think that this is what he has to do to be let out of his crate.
People often ask why they should be thinking about crate training puppies. This is partly done because they feel safe in the crate, and also when a puppy is left alone they can start to misbehave by digging, chewing or similar. When he is in his crate he already thinks of this as a safe place so will not start to feel anxious. He will simply rest and play with any toy you have put in there until you come back to let him out.
Don’t ever make his crate into a prison or use it as a punishment, and do not take him out of his crate if he is crying or misbehaving – he will think this is what he has to do to be let out. At the time you open his door he must be being good.
Make sure to visit crate training puppies for house training and learning the basics.
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