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Training: Crate training

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Crates make particularly good tools for two important training tasks:

  • Crates make housetraining simple. Because dogs don't like to pee or poop where they sleep and eat, they'll hold it when they're in their crate. Pop your dog in his crate whenever you're not with him, and he won't have any accidents in the house--this prevents a bad habit from forming. Take him out for bathroom breaks regularly, and he's more likely to eliminate outdoors--this helps him learn a good habit.
  • Crates help prevent boredom and separation anxiety. If you stock his crate with toys, especially chew toys stuffed with kibble and a few treats, he'll learn two more good habits: chewing on his toys rather than your favorite shoes, and settling down to entertain himself when you're not around.
Some people worry that crate confinement is cruel, but if you do it right, your dog won't see it that way at all. His crate can be a cozy den where he retreats from household chaos or just relaxes. And once he's housetrained, your dog will have the run of the house as well as a nice little den of his own--just leave the door open for him.

How to choose a crate

If your dog's crate is too big, he may feel that he can eliminate at one end and still keep his living area clean. If it's too small, he'll be cramped. The ideal size is just big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down in comfortably, and just long enough so that his nose and rear end don't touch each end of the crate.

If you've got a puppy but don't want to buy new crates as he grows, you can block off part of an adult-sized crate to keep him in one side of it. Some crates come with dividers just for this purpose.

Most crates are made of either collapsible wire or solid plastic, each of which has its pros and cons.  [Continued]


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Crate training topics

Marking & housesoiling

dogtime tip
Be upbeat about putting your dog in his crate, and when you return to let him out, be matter-of-fact about it. If you act like it's no big deal to be in the crate, your dog is more likely to act that way, too. It's also a good idea to put him in the crate for brief periods even when you're home--that way he won't link being alone with being in the crate.

 

Comments

Does anyone have any input as to covering the crate, either at nightime or anytime puppy is crated? I dont think the links addressed this issue.” — Linda, May 08 2008

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