Helpful Tips for Crate Training Puppies

You've probably heard that crate training puppies is helpful to reduce barking, make house training easier and keep your home from getting destroyed when you're not there. That being said, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about crate training a puppy. When used correctly, crates can be a very effective and powerful tool however, if you don't learn how to crate train a puppy the right way, it can be a dreaded dungeon for your pet that he will hate to enter.

Why Crate Train Puppies?

When you crate train a puppy, you essentially give him his own private, safe den, much like he would have in the wild. Puppies need a place where they feel secure and can escape the mayhem of a busy home, a loud television or a feline who may be temporarily bigger than him. This is why you will often find a dog under a bed, kitchen table or in a closet sleeping.

Important Rules for Crate Training Puppies

There are a few base rules that you need to be aware of when you learn how to crate train a puppy. Following these will help you to be successful with training and will ensure the dog's safety.

• The crate must never be used for punishment. This is his safe place! If you put your dog in his crate because he chewed something, he will associate the crate with anger and sadness. This should be a place he wants to go.

• Do not allow your children to play around or in the crate. Again, this is his home that should not be intruded. Kids need to be taught if the dog is sleeping in his crate on his own, he should not be disturbed.

• When you're crate training puppies, it is important to remember to never leave anything in the crate that is a potential choking hazard such as a rawhide or toys that can be chewed apart into small pieces. Kong toys are recommended choices to use in crates. Also, there should always be water available to your puppy at all times!

Crate Training Puppies – Setting up the Crate

The crate you choose must be large enough to allow the puppy enough room to stand, lay down and turn around comfortably. When you are crate training a puppy, you want to make this a desirable place so lay a towel, blanket or something else that is soft and washable in the bottom. You may even want to supply a pillow and there should always be a toy.

As mentioned, water must be provided. Yes, it will decrease the length of time your puppy can stay in the crate before being let outside but dehydration can make a puppy very sick extremely fast. Some puppies will drink out of a water dispenser like you'd find in a hamster or rabbit cage or you can use a bowl designed not to tip.

The Process

To make your life a lot easier when you're learning how to crate train a puppy, introduce him to his den shortly after bringing him home. They are not meant to be secluded in a quiet room, dogs want to feel close to you, smell and sense that you are there so if you're crate training puppies at night, it should be done in your room.

The first step to crate training a puppy is the introduction. Place a treat just on the inside of the door where he can grab it without feeling as though he is in danger. Continue to place treats in the crate, each time a little further back until he enters the entire crate but do not shut the door. He should be permitted to come and go a few times so he gets comfortable with it.

Crate training puppies should be done in intervals, ideally when the puppy is tired. Attempting to just put him in the crate for the first time when it's time to go to sleep is never recommended. Start out with a few minutes at a time. Keep in mind that although your puppy does not want to soil where he sleeps, he can't hold it for extended periods. This translates to setting the alarm several times and losing a bit of sleep when you're crate training puppies at night.

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