Crate Training Puppies the Easy Way
I have owned dogs all my life, and one thing that I have recently learned that crate training puppies can be really helpful, and save a lot of stress when you are housebreaking your puppy.
When you decide you are going to crate train your puppy you need to make sure that you buy the correct size crate – he needs to be able to stand up in it (at adult size) and move around. The metal crates are the best.
A puppy will think of his crate as his little home, and they will never intentionally mess in it. So long as you do not leave him in his crate too long he will hang on until you let him out into your chosen toilet area. You should never leave a young pup for more than an hour or so, otherwise he is likely to wet or mess it.
To get your puppy used to the crate, put a small treat in there which he will go in and get. Do this quite a few times and praise him every time he goes into the crate.
When your puppy comes out of the crate, don’t make a big fuss of him, just a little pat will be enough. Don’t make the mistake of letting him out if he is crying – you will be telling him that he has to cry to get out of his crate.
Continue this for a few days, then gradually leave him in there when you are not in the room, but only for a few minutes – he will soon get used to being in there. When you go back into the room, don’t make a fuss, simply walk over to him and open the crate. After about 3 days you will be able to leave him for an hour or so.
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.
Try not to leave a puppy any longer than this, as their bladders are not very strong when they are young, and you don’t want him to make a mess in his crate. As he gets older and is properly house-trained, you will be able to increase this time a little.
Your puppy will love his crate and feel totally safe and secure in it. An added advantage of having a crate trained puppy is that is you do need to go out you can be sure that he will be relaxed and happy in his crate, so long as he has a blanket or bed and a few toys to amuse him. Often when a puppy is left alone he will become anxious and this is when he is likely to start chewing, barking and making a nuisance of himself. So if you don’t want to come home to a destroyed house (it’s surprising how much damage a small puppy can do when he is stressed), then all of your crate training will be a real asset, as he just will not feel anxious or stressed because he knows you will be coming back to him, as you always do.
Make sure to visit crate training puppies for house training and learning the basics.
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