Daily Dog Care|Dog Day Care|How to Take Care of a Dog

When starting the process of puppy crate training you have to remember that your puppy would love to do nothing more in the world than please it’s owner, “YOU”.Taking the appropraite steps in the right order will hep your dog distinguish the things that you want it to do (no peeing or pooping in your house!!!!). You should not expect your puppy to know what you want it to do when you just take it outside of the house.

Your puppies probably have the capacity to learn much more than you give them credit for, fast than you think if you educate yourself on proper training. And don’t interpret this to meaning that you hold off until your puppies pee or poop in your house and then rub their noses in it. Unless you catch your puppies in the act of using the bathroom in the house, you can’t correct it because it’s too late.   Pups don’t have the mental capacity to realize what you are scolding them for that happened in the past, and you wind up confusing them. If you do not see them while they are doing it a punishment just does not have the proper effect.

Selecting A Crate

The first thing you want to do in puppy crate training is select the proper size crate.   The crate should be just big enough for the puppy to stand up and turn around in and not bigger.   You might think but I want to give my puppy room to move around and play so it doesn’t feel so confined. Off you go again, not thinking like a dog! It is ok, it’s normal that we think that way, but your pup does not.

Remember their dens are a place that canines don’t like to use as bathrooms??? Well if you permit your puppies to have too large of an area, they might use one side for a toilet and the other for resting.  Most of the commercially available puppy crates are sufficient for puppy crate training. I like the plain tan crates (color shouldn’t matter, people just know which ones I am referring to with this reference) with the mesh doors that have a lock on them. Keeping pet hair and dirt on the inside is another awesome feature of these types of crates.   If you’d rather buy a larger size so that you don’t have to keep buying crates as your puppy grows, that’s ok, just get one with an adjustable divider so that you can expand it as your puppy grows.

Crate Training For Dogs

First you will need to help them get used to the crate, before you begin locking them in. You could walk away from him or watch him as he calms down inside. Remember this is for training so if he begins to act up you should not let him out. Be patient and let him calm down and then you can let him out. You will need to do this process several time until they learn to enter and leave the crate by themselves.

Some people oppose the idea of crate training dogs, because they think is a cruel form of isolation. Still, the benefits to crate training your dog mentioned in this article, and several other benefits that we will not take the time to explore, show this to be a good method for both the owner and their dog.

With appropriate and sufficient training, crate training your puppy or dog will make him see it as his haven instead of an enclosure that makes him feel unsafe and lonely.

This type of training is based on the idea of a den or nesting place where dogs can go in order to feel safe and secluded. Dens are what dogs naturally seek for in a home. Through proper introduction and selection of the right techniques, the dog will not be threatened by this approach to training.

Benefits of Using a Crate

a) For occasions when the dog cannot run around freely, placing them in a crate will be a good choice for controlling their movements.

b) Dogs will begin to feel secure inside the crate and appreciate the safety zone it provides when they are in an unfamiliar place.

c) They would have a place for solace when they wanted to rest or when feeling under stressed where no one could bother them.

d) A crate could also be used to limit dogs with problem behaviors.

e) Puppies respond well to crate training as a way to teach them potty training skills and what not to chew on or to not bite people.

f) If your dog has separation anxieties, once they become familiar with their crate they will be able to calm down better.

g) It could secure the dog whenever the owner has to bring him outside.

h) It increases his confidence due to the security it provides.

i) Crates can enhance training by giving your dog a sense of consistency and guidance for routine activities.

Size of the Crate

You will need to choose a crate that allows the dog enough room to stand up and lie down comfortably, without him hitting his head or body against the walls or door all the time. However, if you also intend to use the crate for travel, the crate should be larger than the regular above mentioned size.

If you are using the crate for training only, it should follow the guidelines that was just mentioned, since a larger crate would give him enough room to do unwanted things in the crate.

How to introduce the crate to the dog

The best time to introduce the crate to a dog is when you feel that they are ready for it. After you purchase the right crate for your dog you will need to put it someplace in the home where they will see it often. Let him explore his crate first for the first week with the door removed.

If he does not show any sign of interest, try leaving some of his favorite treats inside. Once he becomes more familiar with the crate, try feeding your dog inside it. This will condition his mind that the crate is for him and he can safely go inside it without fearing any harm.

Virtually every pet owner will need to have their dog stay in a crate at one time or another. This might be for transportation purposes or for small periods of time when no one will be home to look after her. Dog crate training can be difficult at times but can be made worse by the owner that doesn’t take the right approach to it either. On the other hand, if done right, dog crate training can be very manageable for even the most stubborn of dogs.

Tips to Crate Training Your Dog

First of all, make sure your crate is the right size for your dog. Most dogs like crates because they want to sleep in something small; this makes them feel secure, the way most humans like a blanket or sheet over them when they sleep. A crate that’s too small is dangerous and painful. The dog should be able to walk all the way around the crate with ease and should not need to dip her head while in the crate. All the effort put into dog crate training will be wasted if the crate itself is so small that the dog hates being there. And of course they won’t feel secure in a crate that’s too big, so don’t go overboard in the other direction either. Most pet stores these days allow you to bring your dog inside and this can be helpful when choosing a crate; the salesperson can typically assist in recommending a size for your dog.

Prepare the Crate

Be sure to make dog crate training something that isn’t very traumatizing to your dog, especially at first. Simply forcing her inside and locking the door won’t do anything to help her feel comfortable in the crate. When dog crate training be sure to prepare the crate with a comfortable bed or blanket and some toys. Many trainers also recommend you put in one of your shirts that hasn’t been washed; this way the dog has your scent with her while she’s in the crate. You can also sit with her while training; this means she won’t associate the crate with being alone or abandoned.

Wear Out Your Dog during the Day

Another good tip is to wear out your dog during the day when dog crate training. Give her a long walk or take her to the park and play with her for as long as possible. If she’s very tired at night she won’t be as likely to whine or cry when put into her crate. This way too she’ll associate the crate with a good night’s sleep and won’t be so hesitant to use it.

There may be some crying and resistance at first, but if you approach dog crate training with a positive attitude and make it as comfortable for the dog as possible it should go much smoother. In general, crate training a dog doesn’t need be difficult for dogs or owners; it’s actually much like getting a child to stay in bed.