Crate Training Your New Puppy

More Puppy Potty Training Tips

© Charla Dawson

Jan 20, 2007

Potty training puppies and dogs with a crate gets results. Crate training is easy and saves furniture and carpets while house breaking your new puppy.

House training can be the most challenging part of owning a puppy. If your lucky you show your puppy where to “go” and he/she catches on immediately and the two of you live happily ever after. Unfortunately for most of us this never happens. House training continues to be a challenge for many new puppy owners. The best and easiest way to potty train is through crate training. Below are the steps to properly crate train your puppy.

What Is Crate Training? - Crate training is a form of house training or potty training that is very popular right now. It's safe for the puppy and it works. Basically when you are not at home, sleeping, or otherwise involved, puppy goes in a crate. Dog crates can be purchased at pet stores or on-line. Garage sales are also a good place to find dog crates. They also come in many styles, much depends on how much you're willing to spend. The style doesn't matter so much as the size.

What Size Of Crate Do I Need? – When it comes to crates size matters. The crate should only be big enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around, and lay down. No bigger. If the crate is too big then the puppy can sleep in one spot and potty in another. The idea behind crate training is - the puppy will not potty where it sleeps.

Location For Crate – The crate should be placed in an area of the house where the family spends a lot of time. A family room is a good spot. Dogs are naturally pack animals, they want to be where the pack is. Another good location would be your bedroom; that way the puppy is sleeping in the den with the rest of the pack.

Introducing The Crate – When first introducing the crate don't shove the puppy in, let the puppy make the first move to go in the crate. Place something familiar inside, a t-shirt with your smell and some favorite toys. Start by placing it's favorite food or treats inside so the puppy wants to go in for the treat, leave the crate door open at this time. Slowly start to shut the door when the puppy is inside – just for a few seconds at first and then for longer periods of time when the puppy is ready.

Make The Crate A Happy Place – When first starting crate training the crate should be made a “happy place”. The crate should not be used as a punishment. Making the crate a good thing in the puppy's mind will make it easier for you to train. The puppy won't fight to go in the crate, and once the puppy is used to the crate, it won't cry when left alone. Feeding meals in the crate is a good idea – the puppy will think food and crate go together. Make sure you take puppy outside to potty before you leave and after it eats. A special toy it only gets in the crate is also a good idea, a Kong filled with peanut butter is a good treat idea that keeps them busy. Take the special toy away when you get home; this toy is only for crate time.

Leaving The Puppy – Keep the puppy crated while you are not at home – working, running errands, etc. Also crate at night when everyone is asleep. The puppy and your carpet and furniture will be safer if the puppy is crated then if left out. Puppy's can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. They could get into a toxic substance, or ingest something that becomes a foreign body. A good rule is to crate until the puppy can be trusted.

How Long Is Okay To Be Left In The Crate? - Many dogs are left all day and do okay. Ideally the puppy will be let out about every 4 hours or so. Longer then that is to much, think about how small their bladder must be. When potty training take them outside as often as possible. During training you'll have to come home for lunch to let the puppy out or have a pet sitter do it for you. A puppy is a big responsibility, just like a new baby.

Whining In The Crate – The puppy is going to whine at first. This can get really annoying, especially at night. Learn this now w so you'll be prepared. The puppy may need to go potty, try this first – this is a go potty then right back in the crate and to bed trip outside, not play time. It is okay to give a treat for going potty outside though. If puppy doesn't need to potty then it just wants out of the crate. Ignore the cries and whines, if you give in now you are teaching the puppy that when it cries it gets let out of the crate. If you give in once the cries will be louder and longer next time. The key is to ignore, it will stop.

Good luck with your potty training.

References: Kansas Humane Society, Behavior lecture, Dr. Emily Weiss, Kansas Humane Society Animal Behaviorist

The copyright of the article Crate Training Your New Puppy in Pet Training is owned by Charla Dawson. Permission to republish Crate Training Your New Puppy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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