The Secret to Crate Training Your Puppy

There are several misconception out there that crate training your dog is cruel. This is simply not true unless the owner is using the tool wrongly. Never punish your dog by putting it in the crate. Everything with the crate should be a positive experience. Denning is natural in wild dogs and wolves, and providing a makeshift "den" inside the house (the crate) should provide a place of safety and security for your dog.

You shouldn't place your puppy in the crate only when you need to leave. While training your pup to use the crate, put him in there while you are at home so he will not associate it with your leaving. This will help to eliminate anxiety later in life as the crate does not become associated with the fear of being alone. You should also use a "special" treat when introducing the puppy to the crate. The whole purpose is to create a liking for the crate.

Crate training a puppy can be a pivotal step in house breaking him. A dog won't mess where he has to sleep. This said, know the tolerance level of your dog. For the first few weeks, especially for a very young puppy, he's going to need to be taken out every few hours. Don't leave your new puppy in the crate all day and expect him to hold it longer than is possible for him. Using the crate encourages your puppy to "hold it" until you can take him outside.

Also, the crate can't be too large. If you have bought a crate that will contain your dog when he is an adult, it is not reasonable to expect him to not mess on one side and live on the other. It's too big! Block off part of the big crate (for my dog we used a piece of plywood set against a couple boxes so we could adjust it as she grew) or get a smaller one. Your dog should have enough room to stand and turn around comfortably with no excess other than that.

Put the crate in a quiet area of the house. It should be a safe haven away from the hustle and bustle of a busy house, but not completely isolated. Put a comforting blanket and a favorite toy to make the place more enjoyable, and always reward him when he's in there with treats and encouragement.

Start slow at first. Don't automatically assume your pup will be alright on he first day of being introduced to it. Put some treats in the crate and let your puppy find them. When he enters the crate by himself praise him. Randomly shut the door (not the first time and not every time). Don't leave! If your puppy is calm with the door closed, praise him. If he begins to whine, don't acknowledge this behavior. Wait until he quiets down, praise him, and let him out. Be consistent with training, and make sure it make the crate a positive place.