Tips for How to Crate Train Your Puppy

There are many benefits of using the puppy crate training technique when it comes to teaching your new pet proper behavior. First, a crate will offer your pup a warm, secure environment to sleep in.

Second, your pup will have a secure area when you are not available to keep a close eye on him. This can save you from finding any number of items that your puppy might decide to chew on, like your shoes, the bedspread or your new sofa.

Finally, puppy crate training is one of the most effective means of housebreaking your pup. Dogs learn early on that they should not eliminate in the same location that they sleep. This means that spending time in his crate will help your puppy to learn that he can hold his urges until he is in the proper spot to go to the bathroom.

How to do Puppy Crate Training

If you decide that puppy crate training is the right mode of training for you, it is a good idea to purchase the crate before bringing your puppy home. This way, you can begin using your puppy crate training techniques right away.

It is best to purchase a crate that will allow your pup to turn around and stand up, but is not too large that he will be able to find a corner to eliminate in. Since you may want to purchase one crate that will grow with your dog, you can find larger crates that come with temporary dividing walls. This way, you can section off a smaller area of your crate for the puppy, and move or remove it as your dog gets bigger.

Inside of the crate, you can place a blanket for sleeping and a chew toy or two. Leave the food and water outside the crate in a separate eating area. When you bring your pup home, show him his crate, but do not shut him inside right away. It is best to let him go in and out of it at his will at first, until he gets used to the space. This is the most effective method for beginning your puppy crate training.

When to Use your Puppy Crate Training

Once your pup is accustomed to his crate, usually within the first few hours after coming home, you can use this space to confine your pet at night and whenever you are not available to keep a close eye on him. Do not shut a puppy in a crate for more than a couple of hours at a time, unless it is for overnight sleeping.

Your puppy may need to eliminate very frequently at the beginning, sometimes every hour. Make sure that your dog gets outside to go to the bathroom regularly and spend time playing and cuddling with him as well.

Dogs that spend too much time alone in their crate when they are young may not socialize well with people and other pets. The purpose of puppy crate training is to use the crate to teach your dog good bathroom habits and the proper things to chew. It should never be a substitute for quality time with you.

The following video tells you how to purchase a crate that is the right size for your puppy. He gives a lot of tips on how to choose a good crate. I agree with him that wire cages are not as good for your puppy as an enclosed crate. He gives a lot of good information and I hope you will watch all 6 minutes.