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Why a crate for house training?

QUESTION:

Why do I need a crate to housetrain?

answered by Ian Dunbar

ANSWER:

It's the easiest way to housetrain. When he's in his crate, your dog's bladder and bowels are slowly but surely filling up. Dogs don't like to soil their sleeping area, so your dog will probably "hold it" until you release him and take him outside. Then he's likely to eliminate pronto. You'll be right there to reward him handsomely for doing the right thing in the right place--the key to successful housetraining.

Some people don't like the idea of crates, but remember, they're only a temporary training measure. Once your puppy's housetrained, he'll have free run of your home for the rest of his life. And you'll probably find that after just a few days, your puppy learns to love his crate--his very own quiet, comfortable den.


Dr. Ian Dunbar is a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and writer. He is founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and Sirius Puppy Training, as well as contributing editor to DogTime.com and DogStarDaily.com.


Read more about Ian Dunbar in the DogTime expert center...

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Comments

AvatarAbsolutely true! I crate trained my Pit Bulls and she LOVES her crate! It's like her little sanctuary...if she's nervouse or stressed or just wants to kick back and snooze, she goes to her crate. It's like her own den.” — mrssswitch, Dec 12 2007

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