CRATE TRAINING YOUR PUPPY

 
Crate training a puppy is recommended for reasons of security, safety, travel, housetraining and comfort. It is natural for dogs to love crates! It is their “own private place” -- a “security blanket.”

The crate helps to satisfy the “den instinct” inherited from their ancestors.   The cost of a crate is a bargain when compared with costly household repairs that can result from an untrained dog.

Crate training has many advantages for both you and your pet:
 
You can:
 
•    Enjoy complete peace of mind when leaving your dog at home alone, knowing
     that nothing can be soiled or destroyed and that he is comfortable, protected,
     and not developing any bad habits.

•    Housebreak your dog more quickly by using the close confinement to encourage
     control, establish a regular routine for outdoor elimination, and to prevent
    “accidents” at night or when left alone.

•    Travel with your dog without risking distraction by a pet loose in the care.  Know
     that the pet is safely riding with the protection of a car restraint device.  

Your dog can:

•    Enjoy the privacy and security of a “den” of his own to which he can retreat when
      he would like.

•    More quickly achieve house training.

•    Remain in comfortable indoor surroundings when restriction is desired.

•    Enjoy more family outings if he can be calmly crated when needed.
 
•    Enjoy travel more when he/she has the comfort of home right along with.
     It’s like bringing along a familiar security blanket.

 
CRATE SIZE:
A crate should always be large enough to permit the dog to turn around stretch out flat on his side. A crate too large can be made smaller by adding a partition.  Ensure a tight fit so to reduce chances of the puppy chewing on the divider.  Make sure it is a safe material in case the puppy does chew on it.  Remember that a crate too large for a young puppy defeats its purpose assisting with house training.
 
CRATING A PUPPY:
A young puppy (8-16 weeks) should normally have no problem accepting a crate as his “own place.” Any complaining he might do at first is not caused by the crate, but by his learning to accept the controls of his new environment.  Actually the crate will help him to adapt more easily and quickly to his new world.
 
Include something for bedding
Towels or pieces of clothing can be used, but be sure what you put in appears safe.  Many pet specific products are available.  Never use carpet pieces, the long unraveled threads can cause serious problems if ingested.

Avoid putting newspaper in or under the crate as it may encourage elimination.

If the puppy is left in the crate for extended periods, water containers designed to attach to the interior door should be used.  A free standing bowl of water will just be knocked over. 

It is good to give treats and leave special toys, such as a Kong or Nylabone, in your puppies crate to help the puppy bond with it.  However, do not leave food in the crate.

At nighttime make sure your puppy has gone outside before placing him in the crate.  After you let him out of the crate be sure to take him outside (just be sure to follow rule #1 below).

If possible, feed the puppy dinner early in the evening.  If the puppy eats too soon before going into his crate for the night he might have a hard time holding it until morning.

Some pets can become over protective of crates.  To avoid this accustom the puppy from the start to letting you reach in at any time.

Once your puppy is housetrained and crate trained, leave his den out for him with the door open and continue to provide treats in his den area.  Once fully trained some people choose to have them sleep at night outside of the crate.  Just be sure that you continue to use the crate on a regular basis.  A puppy that has been completely crate trained but then has not been placed in a crate for months or even years (other than on trips to the vet) will very likely no longer be crate trained. 

SPECIAL TIPS

The most important rule is based on the tendency for dogs to be more clever and peristant at training their people than the people are at training their pet. 

RULE #1
Never show the puppy attention while in the crate.  Never.

Repeatedly telling the whining or barking puppy, “No, stop it, quiet… No…Quiet, no……”  is perceived by the dog as, “Hey, look, I’m getting their attention, that is what I want…It is working!   I will keep it up”.

 RULE 1b is to NEVER let the puppy out of the crate when he is fussing.  Sometimes you have to wait for that 2 second lull…eventually it will come, then let him out.

RULE #2
Don’t weaken, don’t worry.

Remember that you are doing the best thing for the puppy.  Crate training usually is very quickly accomplished.  However, if you are training a dog that already has anxiety or you have broken RULE #1 repeatedly, then crate training could take months.

Just because it is taking longer than you expected and your nerves are getting weak, it is still worth continuing with the process.  It is the best and safest thing for your pet.  Remember that you are molding a family friend that will be your companion for years, it pays to start him off right. 

If you have any questions or would like further information about crate training your puppy stop in at Advanced Care Pet Hospital and we would be happy to help you out!



Tri-County Humane Society, MN