Crate Training A Puppy Or Dog

By Author: Tim Bell
Total Articles: 17
Comment this article

Crate training a puppy or dog is topic that interests new pet owners. It is a very important method used to get dogs house trained. This allows owners to be able to trust their pets when they are not home. The concept behind crate training is that dog owners train their pets to hold going to the bathroom until they are taken outside for a walk. The crate training method on average works well as dogs have a natural inclination not to potty near themselves. While crate training is not difficult, it takes patience and persistence. Puppies when as young as two to three months old will still need to relieve themselves frequently. It is very important to know the steps involved with crate training in order to get optimal results.

To begin, a pet owner needs to choose a crate that is not too big for his or her dog. If the crate is too large, a puppy may feel that it is alright to relieve itself in the crate as a result of the extra space available. The whole concept behind the crate training is to make the dog want to follow its natural instinct and not go to the bathroom near itself. A big crate defeats the whole purpose of ...
... this idea. With this said, a person needs to make sure that the crate is at least big enough to ensure that the dog will not feel uncomfortable in it. He or she needs to take into account the dog's breed and how much it will grow during the period that the crate training will take place.

The next step involved with crate training is to remove the doors of the crate when first starting the process. A pet owner needs to guide his or her dog in and out of the crate in order to get the animal used to it. The owner should never force the dog into the crate and lock it up without first getting the dog used to the crate on its own. It may take some dogs several days to get used to the cage. In time, the dog will become accustomed to the crate. The dog will eventually be able to stay in the crate without whimpering, and an owner should encourage the dog's good behavior in the crate by offering the animal treats and rewards.

Next, a pet owner needs to provide his or her dog with a comfortable bed and toys when crate training the animal. The dog's toys and a couple of treats need to be placed at the opposite end of the cage door. The toys will cure the dog's boredom and serve as a distraction when its owner is not home. The toys must be inedible and large enough to ensure that a dog, especially a puppy, will not eat them. Another idea to try when crate training a dog is for the owner to leave the television or radio on when not home.

Dog owners should also look to crate train their pet for short periods when they are actually home. This is since only crate training the animal when the owner is away will lead the dog to associate the cage with feelings of loneliness and punishment. Training the dog while at home will, on the other hand, lead the animal to see the crate as part of its normal experience.

Another step involved with crate training dogs is that owners must be consistent throughout the entire process. This is especially relevant where puppies are concerned. Puppies will need to relieve themselves often. It is thus best to follow the same eating and drinking schedule each day. Most dogs will need to go to the bathroom shortly after eating. Therefore, the animal should be walked around the same time each day. When the dog cries from the crate, it is best for the owner to take it out for a walk as soon as possible. The dog should also be taken to the same spots for walking and should be rewarded after the walk. Developing these patterns will get the dog into a routine and schedule that will serve both the animal and its owner well.

It needs to be reinforced that crate training is not going to happen overnight, and pet owners need to follow the steps above until the dog is comfortable and properly trained. Patience and persistence will result in no accidents in the house and a happier dog and owner.

In conclusion, crate training is a topic of vast interest for new dog owners. It involves a number of steps, including making sure that a cage is not too big; removing the doors of the crate; using a comfortable bed and toys inside of the crate; training the dog for short periods of time when the owner is home; and being consistent throughout the training process. It should also be noted that crate training is a process that will benefit both the dog and owner, and it does not happen overnight. An owner needs to have patience and persistence in order for crate training to be a success.

TW Bell has been involved in the small animal business for more than 15 years. He has raised rabbits for over 20 years. He specializes in rabbit raising and dog crate training. He enjoys helping others learn to care for their animals. He has multiple sites which have instructional pages on small animals and their care.

RabbitCavy

CratesKennels