Training: Crate training

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]

« 1 2 3 4 »

Crate training topics

Marking & housesoiling

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

Training: newest topics

See ALL topics in this forum

37 topics, 135 posts

topics	replies	views	last post
HELP w/NEW PUPPY Hi There! I am a first time puppy owner (had 2 dogs growing who came to us as adults)and a teacher which is giving me some free time to p... (continued)	7	75	15 hours ago by eve.macnamara view
scared of kids my 12 month old daschund loves people, dogs of all sizes and pretty much everything, but she s scared of kids and barks a them. unfortuna... (continued)	1	119	Jul 1, 2008 10:26am by Tailspin view
Need help My dog is sad when I go to the store, but has never chewed or barked, as long as she cannot see me. But if I go in my yard without her, a... (continued)	2	186	Jun 27, 2008 9:10am by balloons101 view
Dog bed, should I get one? Our puppy is still in the stage of crate training, however, she is spending more and more time outside her crate during the day and she h... (continued)	2	213	Jun 25, 2008 3:12pm by Kelly Dunbar view

Training: Crate training

How to choose a crate

Crate training topics

Comments

Add a comment

Training: newest topics

See ALL topics in this forum

Articles

Ask the experts

Related topics