Crate training puppies provides both dog and owner the ability to coexist without unpleasant eliminations in the house.
For the new, untrained puppy, there are many temptations for mischief around the house. Couch cushions, curtains, shoes and electrical wires are all at risk; there’s no way to scold your pet when you’re not at home. If your puppy can comfortably rest inside the crate for long periods of time, you’ll now have a safe option for preventing chewed and soiled property.
The first thing to do is get the puppy accustomed to the crate. One or two chew-toys, a blanket or some newspaper, and a bowl of water will start to make it feel like home. Without letting the dog see you, place a treat or a few morsels of dog food on the floor of the crate. Now let the dog into the room and allow the puppy to discover the food on its own. Alternatively, you can praise and pet the dog every time s/he enters the crate. Once the dog begins to appreciate the crate, you can move on to step two.
For crate training puppies, the idea is to make sure you can leave the dog alone in the crate while you go to sleep or work. This is done gradually, by leaving the dog alone for increasing amounts of time. Start out by closing the dog in the crate remaining in the room for five minutes. Now let the dog out and reward and pet him or her. Repeat the process, however this time you wait ten minutes. If this isn’t a problem, leave the room for ten minutes. If the puppy becomes too anxious at this point, remain in the room with the dog, leaving for five minutes every time it begins to whine. Continue increasing the amount of time until everyone is comfortably being separated for at least a half hour. When you can leave the puppy alone for thirty minutes, it’s safe to go to work, and you are now an expert at crate training puppies.
Finally there are several methods for troubleshooting properly. Remember these if something goes wrong when crate training puppies.
- The dog relieves itself in the crate. Being forced to hang out and sleep so close to its own excrement is punishment, do not scold the dog if you come home and find that this has happened. Just clean the cage with a non-ammonia based cleaner and a lot of water.
- The dog is too anxious when left alone. Go back to step one and create positive associations with the crate. Try associating the crate with a command word, one that you will say every time you want the dog to go in the crate. Also say the word when placing treats, toys, or food in the crate.
- The dog runs out of the crate eagerly. Do not reward the dog when exiting the crate. Also don’t open the door until the puppy is calm, or sleeping. Open the gate calmly and quickly, showing that it’s not a really big deal.
Always make sure the dog has plenty of opportunities to go outside and relieve itself (and reward the puppy for doing so), and allow it to get plenty of exercise. This will ensure housebreaking is successful and keep the puppy’s overall health in check.
Crate training puppies is simple and doable for every puppy owner, when approached correctly.
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