Crate training puppies makes all other puppy training steps much easier - it forms a good foundation. When you are crate training puppies you are also making sure that you establish yourself as the leader in your puppies eyes.
A puppy loves to feel secure, and he will certainly get security from having his own space. Any animal hates to soil his own area, so he will be very unlikely to mess or wet his crate - so long as you don't leave him in it for longer than his bladder can hold on.
When you buy your first crate, you need to ensure that you buy one that is the right size for your puppy. He needs to be able to stand up in it and be able to move around as well. I have gone for the metal crate that has a door opening at one side. This is nice and strong and my dog can see out of it easily.
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 he is totally relaxed with this you need to move onto the next stage which is closing the door for a few seconds. So when his attention is on the treat, close the door whilst praising him quietly. No more than 20 seconds though. Let him out and give him a pat, no praise, just a little pat. Repeat this often and gradually increase the length of time the crate is closed. Don't do it for so long that he gets upset though.
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.
In no time at all your puppy will be totally used to going into his crate, and you will be able to leave him in there for upto an hour if you need to go out without him.
Over a period of three days or so you will be able to leave for an hour quite happily. As your dog gets a bit older you could leave him for slightly longer than this.
Don't ever make his crate into a prison or use it as a punishment, and do not take him out of his crate if he is crying or misbehaving - he will think this is what he has to do to be let out. At the time you open his door he must be being good. - 32401
A puppy loves to feel secure, and he will certainly get security from having his own space. Any animal hates to soil his own area, so he will be very unlikely to mess or wet his crate - so long as you don't leave him in it for longer than his bladder can hold on.
When you buy your first crate, you need to ensure that you buy one that is the right size for your puppy. He needs to be able to stand up in it and be able to move around as well. I have gone for the metal crate that has a door opening at one side. This is nice and strong and my dog can see out of it easily.
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 he is totally relaxed with this you need to move onto the next stage which is closing the door for a few seconds. So when his attention is on the treat, close the door whilst praising him quietly. No more than 20 seconds though. Let him out and give him a pat, no praise, just a little pat. Repeat this often and gradually increase the length of time the crate is closed. Don't do it for so long that he gets upset though.
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.
In no time at all your puppy will be totally used to going into his crate, and you will be able to leave him in there for upto an hour if you need to go out without him.
Over a period of three days or so you will be able to leave for an hour quite happily. As your dog gets a bit older you could leave him for slightly longer than this.
Don't ever make his crate into a prison or use it as a punishment, and do not take him out of his crate if he is crying or misbehaving - he will think this is what he has to do to be let out. At the time you open his door he must be being good. - 32401
About the Author:
