Crate Training Your New Puppy

A major problem new owners face is where will the puppy sleep and what will we do with our puppy when we have to leave the house? Both problems can be solved through use to the crate.

Using a crate is NOT cruel. The crate takes the place of a den, which ancestral dogs slept in for hundreds of thousands of years. Modern dogs retain the den instinct, which is why use of a crate is so effective in housebreaking. A dog will not potty where they sleep if they can avoid doing so. This is a throwback to the days when dogs were both predators and prey, and needed a safe place to sleep and raise their young. If they eliminated in their den, other predators would seek them out through the scent and prey upon the young and weak.

The trick is to make the sleeping area small enough so the puppy can't us one end as a bath-room, and the other as a bedroom! Crates should be large enough so the dog can lie down and turn around in a tight circle. I suggest buying a large enough crate so that when the pup is full grown it will be large enough. You can block off the crate with a piece of plywood or put cardboard boxed in the back to make the crate smaller. This area can be expanded as your pup grows.

Never put Puppy outside alone! Puppy needs his pack leader to be outside with him to encourage him and to praise when he performs properly. If Puppy is left out by himself, it will take longer for understanding the housebreaking concept.

Use the Leash, but let pup walk where he wants, as soon as he relieves himself, swiftly praise him. Bring Pup inside only when you are certain he has finished. There will be times when you know your puppy has to of, but he is fooling around in the yard. WAIT! DON'T bring puppy in before he finishes - that is just asking for an accident and your pup will be happy to oblige.

Each time you put your pup in the crate, praise him. Don't let the pup out if he is making noise, he will get the idea that making noise will get him his way. This is a terrible habit and is much easier to avoid than to reverse. Be firm from the start.

It will take about 2-4 nights before pup begins to look on his crate as his special place. If you use crate properly, your house will be safe from puppy destruction and pup will be safe from danger that lie in wait for lonely, bored and curious puppies - chicken bones and other garbage, dog toxins like chocolate and cleaners, and some indoor plants, wires that could electrocute pup if chewed, and many more.

Please use your crate; it will save you many headaches and dollars. Your puppy will be happy in his safe place when you are not available. Do not leave puppy in crate for more then 4 1/2 hours at a time through the day.

I would like for you to take puppy out to potty first thing in the morning, last thing in the evening, after play, after naps, eating and after drinking. Carry him out the very same door to the very same spot in the yard. You are developing good habits in your puppy. When taking puppy out of the crate carry him out also. If not, puppy will potty somewhere between the crate and door. Remember he is out of his sleeping area.