The Ins and Outs of Crate Training Your Puppy

Crate training your dog is one of the most important first choices new pooch owners face. There are many benefits to crate training and when done properly a crate becomes a safe and comforting place for your pooch.

Reasons to crate train your dog?

You create a big sense of security when you crate train your pooch. Living in caves come by nature to dogs. Dens protect them from peril, keep them warm and dry, and help them to keep their young secure and protected. The den is so important to a wild pooch that the mom will condition her puppies to go to the bathroom outside the lair.

Using a crate as a modern pooch den, your pooch’s natural inherent aptitudes will ensure they keep their crate clean and dry. So you’re not only providing a safe and comforting place for your puppy to rest you are using the den to help with potty training.

negative conduct can be eliminated when using crate training. While some breeds are definitely more nervous, and therefore potentially negative, than others, a crate offers a sense of security for your dog. It gives your dog another option instead of acting out

Routine is provided. Crate training provides structure that your puppy is looking for. For example your puppy will rest in the crate at night and when you’re away from the house. If you're like most individuals you have a set bedtime and set time you wake up. You already have a schedule. When you impose a schedule on your puppy it will help them know what to expect.

In order for crate training to be successful you will need to make sure you take several decisions under consideration. Before you make the choice to crate train lets look at some of the decisions in regards to your pooch.

What kind of crate is best?

Crates come in every size, shape, material, and color. Prior to racing out and obtaining a crate, think about the size of yourr pooch and how the crate will be used. For example if you travel a lot then you may want a light weight portable crate. If you have a big pooch and he will be expending a lot of time in the crate you may want to consider a bigger crate that's a little more permanent.

Your pooch's crate should be just big enough for him to stand up and turn around in. If it is too big, it won’t feel comfortable for him; dogs favor cozy dens in the wild..

Where to put your crate is the next important decision. Dogs are social animals and will want to be where the family passes their time. Some dog owners like to have 2 crates, one for their primary living space and one in their bedrooms.

How to make crate training a success.
So you've picked the right crate and have an absolutely ideal puppy, what now?

Crate training is dependent upon the age of your puppy. Young puppies simply cannot hold their bladder. puppies less than 12 weeks need to go outside every hour or two. Once they’re older than 12 weeks they are able to hold their bladder however not for very long.

On the other side of that coin is dogs whom are older are also likely to have bladder issues. Program your crating based on your puppies needs. Recall that if you crate them for too long they’ll be forced to go in their crate and that type of accident can really knock training off track. Not to mention it makes them unhappy to be forced to sleep in a messy crate.

Don’t use the crate for punishment. Your dog’s crate is supposed to be a safe and happy place. It is the location he sleeps in. It is where he goes when you’re not home. It is his sanctuary. If you use his sanctuary as punishment, then it loses its value. It is no longer a safe place and being confined there will breed resentment and unwanted and destructive behaviors.

You want the crate to be a happy positive place. The first few times you crate your puppy they will doubtlessly create a noisy commotion. They’ll cry, bark, whimper and let you know they are terribly unhappy. You have already decided that crate training is perfect for you and your puppy so have patience. Your dog will in very short time become happy with their crate. Rewards can be given when he goes into the crate which will increase the speed and which he becomes comfortable inside the crate. Give them a ‘good pooch’ and a food treat. Sooner than later he'll be willingly going into the crate.

Always take your puppy out to use the bathroom right after you let them out of the crate. This is incredibly essential. Create a routine. Let them out of their cage, take them to their potty place, give them a spoken cue like “go potty” and reinforce them when they’ve accomplished the task.

Crate training your puppy offers great benefits. It provides them a sense of security and stability and it makes the potty training process significantly better. Who doesn’t want fewer accidents? Of course you do. Crate train your dog for the best potty training results.