Crate training a puppy is an effective way to prevent destructive behavior,? reduce separation anxiety, as well as an effective housebreaking tool that can be used to potty train a puppy. Crate training can also serve as an indoor dog house that can be moved about whenever necessary. Also when traveling many airlines and hotels require that dogs be in a crate in order to accept them on the premises.
Crate training should be used as a place for your dog to relax and hang out in. Under no circumstance should the crate be used for punishment. Puppies under nine weeks should not be crate trained due to there very little bladder and will need to relieve themselves frequently. We do not want the puppy to associate the crate with punishment or discipline then it will be scared to go into it’s crate.
Once you buy a crate for your puppy you should prepare it for him by keeping it as friendly as possible. With the Vari-Kennel crates you should take off the top as well as remove the door, and concerning the wire mesh crates you should tie the crate door back so it will stay open without moving. Also do your best to try to prevent the crate from rattling we do not want to scare the puppy.
A puppy’s crate should include water, bedding, and toys and treats for the puppy. Puppy crate training ensures that we want the puppy to be as comfortable as possible while inside the crate. The crate should be the puppy’s own little house. Your puppy shouldn’t want to urinate inside the crate as they have problems with urinating in their ‘den’. If the puppy does urinate in the crate, simply clean it up with a pet de-odorizer to further discourage him from doing it again.
Puppy crate training should be introduced gradually to your puppy. Start by placing small dog treats in the crate periodically throughout the day. Eventually your puppy will find these treats and this will reinforce positive associations with the crate training. You can also feed him inside the crate to further reinforce the associations.
Praise your puppy when he enter crates, and do not try to force the puppy into the crate. If you introduce the puppy to the crate forcefully he will associate it with negative reinforcement and will not enjoy or want to be anywhere around the crate. The only exception is at night when the puppy needs to go to bed, even then the crate should by your bedside, or somewhere around you to prevent feelings of loneliness.
At first you should crate your puppy for only short periods of time while you are at home with them, it is often best and probably necessary to crate train while your are in the room with the dog. Getting the dog used to your absence in the room that the crate training is occuring is a good step to prevent an association made with the crate and your absence.
Puppy crate training is an effective way to house break any dog or puppy, and a good way to maintain control over your dog that also prevents behavioral problems, separation anxiety.
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