Crate Training A Puppy

Crate training a puppy can be tricky.

There are many different approaches and opinions on how to go about it, but with the right information, you’ll find that it becomes much easier than you thought.

This article will help guide you through the process of crate training your new pup! 

The key to successful crate training is understanding why dogs don’t like being crated at first.

Dogs feel vulnerable in crates because they cannot see anything outside of them; this makes them feel claustrophobic and trapped.

For this reason, it’s important not to force your dog into their crate when they’re scared or upset – instead, reward them with treats when they enter willingly so that they learn associating their crate with good things!

Table of Contents

What is crate training and why do it

Crate training is one of the most effective methods for housebreaking and obedience training.

A good crate can serve as a puppy’s den from birth through adulthood.

Teaching your puppy to love his crate will make transporting him in the car and leaving him at home alone much easier.

A puppy who loves his crate will use it voluntarily for napping, sleeping and as a secure safe place to retreat when he feels frightened.

For most dogs, crates are an essential part of house training.

Youngsters must be confined at times so they don’t injure themselves and soil the house, yet you can’t be with them 24 hours a day.

Crates teach puppies what is expected of them when they’re alone and give owners a place to confine a misbehaving dog.

A puppy is most vulnerable to housebreaking mistakes during the adjustment period after he comes home from the breeder or shelter.

A crate can be a great help, for it prevents accidents in an unsupervised house and allows you to keep the pup out of mischief while you’re busy with household chores.

Puppies who are not properly crate trained may continue to soil their sleeping area even into adulthood.

Most adult dogs dislike being crated, so it’s important that crate training begin during puppyhood rather than waiting until your pet is older.

Use care when introducing him to his crate so he doesn’t feel trapped or abandoned. Much like a child, he needs to know that being left in the crate won’t be an unpleasant experience, so give him something safe and chewy to keep him occupied while you’re gone.

Why Should You Do Crate Training

Crate training can be a highly effective housebreaking method for dogs of all ages.

It also offers owners a place to confine their pets when they’re in the house unsupervised, as well as a place for dogs to sleep when they can’t be with their family members.

You’ll want to get something safe and comfortable for your pup to use as his bed and crate at first.

Why crates are important for your dog’s development

1. You can go out of home without worrying that your puppy will do something bad in your absence.

Your dog will feel secure inside the crate and you’ll have more freedom.

2.  You won’t have to clean up your house after pup has used it like toilet.

3.  Your dog will feel safe inside a crate.

It will be his den and he’ll spend there most time when you are not at home.

4.  It helps with training dogs to relieve themselves in specific places.

5.  You can let your dog spend more time outside but still keeps him supervised, because he is not going to leave the house when you aren’t looking if he feels safe inside the crate

Crate training should begin as soon as possible, preferably during puppyhood and definitely before six months of age, because after that it becomes increasingly difficult to housebreak your pet without the aid of a crate or other confinement area.

If you have an older dog for whom you would like to establish a sense of security, don’t reinforce his bad habits; instead, you can use the crate to help break them.

Your dog needs a quiet place to sleep at night, so it’s important that his crate is an inviting and comfortable area where he enjoys resting.

If your pup has had a negative experience with being kept in confinement during his early development, don’t force him into the crate as punishment, because this will only make him more anxious about stepping inside one again.

After your puppy has eaten or played for 30 minutes or so, take him to his crate and stand outside it while he eats or drinks something from his bowl.

Next time you feed him , put one of his favorite toys inside the crate with him (but not too many at once), and repeat the same procedure.

This should help him associate his crate with good things, so he’ll start to become comfortable with spending time inside it.

If at any point during this process your puppy becomes upset because of separation anxiety, stop immediately and figure out what’s causing his distress, as you don’t want to make matters worse by inadvertently encouraging these negative behaviors.

Put your puppy in the crate for increasingly longer periods of time between play periods to help him learn how important a den-like feeling is to him.

By doing so, you’ll be able to condition the dog into thinking that when he enters his crate voluntarily, something positive will happen such as companionship or treats which will lead him to come back later on without hesitation when you want him to rest during the night.

Before you can expect your dog to be able to spend a good eight hours inside his crate without wanting out, you’ll need to teach him a few tricks and develop some positive associations with it.

First, make sure that the crate is easily accessible by being placed in an area of your home where he spends most of his time anyway, such as the kitchen or family room.

Next, feed him meals and treats while he’s inside the crate for up to five minutes each time; this will help your pup get used to spending more time in there.

Once he has developed a sense of security about entering and exiting his den on command, start closing the door just long enough for him to go potty outside as soon as he goes to the bathroom, open his door and play with him for a while.

After he learns that going outside is followed by lots of praise and a play session, he’ll be more than willing to step inside his crate without any hesitation in order to relieve himself.

This quick procedure is known as an associative learning process, and it might take several weeks to complete.

How to crate train a puppy

First, you’ll need to train your puppy to spend short periods of time inside his crate before you can expect him to rest comfortably there for hours at a time.

At first, put your puppy’s crate inside a room where he spends most of his time, such as your kitchen or family room.

Next, feed him his meals inside the crate shortly after he finishes eating; practice this for a few minutes at each feeding until your puppy has grown accustomed to spending up to five minutes inside his crate while eating.

When your puppy starts to associate being inside the crate with good things, like food and praise, he’ll start to enjoy spending more time inside his den.

Next, try closing the door while he’s eating and opening it again as soon as he’s done, to make him feel like he can come and go as he pleases.

This way you’ll be able to practice the associative learning process previously mentioned.

After your puppy has grown comfortable with going in and out of his crate on command, you’ll need to make him understand that when he chooses to enter the den voluntarily, something positive will happen.

To do so, start feeding him inside his crate for increasingly longer periods of time until he can spend up to five minutes at a time resting there.

In addition, encourage him to enter the crate by putting a tasty treat just beyond it; as soon as he goes towards the food item, give him lots of praise and toss the treat into his crate.

Practice this procedure several times a day until your puppy is happy about spending whole evenings inside his new bedroom on wheels.

This should take no more than two or three weeks.

Finally, if you’re teaching your dog to go potty inside his crate, wait until he’s tired from running around outside and then close the door and open it again a few minutes later.

Once he’s done using the bathroom, release him out of his crate with praise so that he connects going outside with playing afterwards.

If you consistently practice this method for several weeks, your pup will start associating relieving himself with fun things like playtime or food treats

By doing so, you’ll be able to prevent your puppy from making an irregular mess inside your home after he learns how to hold it in while spending at least one hour inside his crate without needing to use the bathroom.

10 Benefits of crate training

Crating a puppy is one of the most controversial methods for housebreaking your new pet, but this technique can also help him to feel comfortable and happy when left alone at home.

1. Toilet training your puppy.

One of the most common ways to crate train a dog is by using this method to toilet train your puppy.

Some dogs will even hold in their urine and wait for you to come home if they are left alone inside a confined space for extended periods of time.

2. Crate training puppies to sleep at night.

When crate training a puppy, you’ll be able to teach your dog to sleep at night by putting him inside his crate shortly before bedtime and then letting him outside about an hour later.

3. To prevent destructive behavior and separation anxiety when you’re gone.

Dogs who are crate trained can feel more secure when left alone in their homes, so this method is commonly used as a training tool for dogs who suffer from extreme separation anxiety.

4. Crate training puppies to not get into trouble while the owner’s away.

Crates give your puppy a confined space of his own in which he can be relaxed without worrying about making a mess or bothering other animals inside the house while you’re gone.

5. To help housebreak your puppy or older dog.

If you’re having trouble housetraining your puppy, confining him to a crate can help by preventing him from going potty inside the house.

6. Crate training adult dogs safely and securely.

Once your grown up dog is well trained and has spent lots of time as a young pup in his carry case, he’ll feel comfortable being left alone at home for short periods of time while you’re out running errands .

7. To prevent separation anxiety when travelling with your pet.

By making sure that your dog is used to staying in her carrying crate when travelling, she will be able to travel more calmly on car trips and won’t get anxious when spending time in the backseat of the car while you’re driving.

8. To save money on destruction and reparations.

When teaching your dog to sleep in her crate at night, she’ll be safe from chewing up her furniture or other items inside your home.

This will save you lots of money on repairs and replacements for items that your pet has torn apart or ruined while you were gone.

9. For safety reasons.

An adult dog who is taught to spend time in his crate whenever he’s left alone will feel more content and relaxed when he’s by himself inside your home.

If an emergency situation arises, he won’t be destructive as he frantically tries to find a way to signal for help or a way to escape the scene of an accident.

10. To keep your dog safe inside his crate when you can’t supervise him.

A crate is a portable safe haven for your pet that she can use on her own if no one is around to watch over her as she plays or chews.

This may be necessary while you’re away from home, or in case of emergency situations.

Either way, your pet will have a place where he feels more comfortable and secure about spending more time alone.

Types of crates – wire, plastic, fabric

Wire.

This type crate is the most popular with pet owners and dog trainers alike.

It is sturdy, easy to clean and maintain, and most pups prefer it over any other option.

It is also practical and portable, at least for the most part.

The downside of wire crates is that they can be potentially dangerous for a puppy who likes to chew

He could choke on any loose pieces of it if you are not careful enough while he’s in there.

If you use a wire crate, make sure that your puppy cannot nibble on the edges. Cover them with some sort of cushioning material, preferably one that is not easily chewable by him.

Wire crates come in several different sizes and styles, so always choose the one which best suits your needs.

Whether you’re going to travel with your dog or just want to keep her safe in your home, make sure that she will be comfortable inside her carrying case.

Plastic, fabric or soft-sided crates .

If you’re looking for a crate that is not quite as sturdy but still practical, there are a few options available to choose from.

Soft crates usually come with padded walls and floors: this allows the pet to rest in comfort, while also providing some protection from chewing destruction and other unwanted behaviors.

These types of carrying cases are not meant for big dogs who like to dig at their bedding or scratch at the floor when they get bored

That just adds more pressure on the dog’s neck and back which can be potentially dangerous if he does it too hard! Fabric crates are very similar to plastic ones.

They usually come with zipped doors so you can open them fully, allowing your dog’s head to stick out.

We recommend this design for crate training puppies because it shows them that the crate is not a prison cell, but instead a cozy resting place.

Tools for crate training – treats, toys, bedding, chew toys

Treats .

A good dog training treat should be small enough to be eaten quickly, and not so rich  in flavor that your pet gets sick after gobbling it up in one second.

Training treats are usually small, dry pieces of meat or fish.

They should not be too smelly or crumbly (as those can easily fall into the floor and get lost). Use a different treat on each day that you train, for easier recognition

If your puppy refuses to eat his training treat because he’s had it before, try using something else until he accepts it willingly.

Toys.

A plush toy or a dog bone might seem like the perfect tool to keep your puppy’s attention during crate training sessions, but it could also lead you to a lot of frustration.

Many dogs will play with the toy, chew on it and throw it around in the crate while you’re gone

Once they’re left alone instead of playing, they might get stressed out because they have nothing else to do.

Their anxiety combined with their inability to control their natural urges (to move around and play) can create all kinds of undesirable behaviors, such as excessive barking, chewing destruction or whining when you return home.

Choose toys which are light enough for your puppy not to be able to toss them about inside his cage, yet sturdy enough so that your pet will not be able to chew on them too quickly

Thick rubber bones and sturdy rope toys are great choices for this purpose.

Bedding .

A crate pad is the best choice when it comes to bedding, as it is soft, comfortable and allows your puppy to rest comfortably without being able to destroy anything in there.

Bedwetting might be a potential risk if you use a regular blanket or pillow inside the crate – avoid doing so at all costs!

If you can’t find a cage pad, newspapers and thin blankets are the 2nd option (but they’re not really ideal because of how quickly they get dirty).

We would recommend using fabric training pads instead of newspapers/blankets because they absorb any moisture much better; but you can also layer papers over a dog pad or a normal blanket and that should do the trick just fine if you don’t have fabric training pads on hand.

A bed which is big enough to fit your puppy’s body .

If you’re looking for something soft and comfortable, consider using an old sleeping bag instead of shopping for a brand new one.

You might be able to find one at a thrift shop for much cheaper than in pet stores

As long as there aren’t any holes, the material is sturdy and it’s big enough to fit inside your pet’s crate, then go ahead and buy it!

If you want something cuddly that will keep him warm at night, check out this article on how to make a dog bed.

Chew toys.

It’s important to teach your puppy that he should *not* chew on the walls or the bars of his crate while you’re gone .

The best way to do it is by providing him with some sturdy chew toys that will distract his attention away from the bars and walls.

This article explains how to choose a good chew toy for your puppy, along with some ideas on what kind of toys are best suited to keep him busy during day time (when he’s alone in his crate).

How do I get my dog to like being in the crate?

The most important part of crate training, as you might have already understood, is making sure that your pet enjoys being in his cage.

He should feel like it’s his den, a place where he can take refuge from the big bad world outside and that nothing will hurt him in there as long as he stays inside.

That’s why crate training puppies is so much easier than crate training adult dogs – because puppies are naturally drawn to small, enclosed spaces where they feel safe.

And if you follow the suggestions we’ve made above, you’ll be able to create a sales pitch for your puppy which is hard to resist.

When does my puppy need a kennel or cage?

You can use the terms interchangeably, but technically speaking a ‘ kennel ‘ is simply a flat surface made of wire or wood which is used to keep pets safe.

A crate is just a more comfortable version of a kennel.

However, the word ‘crate’ has become such an ingrained part of our vocabulary that it’s hard for us to imagine using any other term than dog crates when referring to pet cages.

Dog crates come in different sizes , so you should choose the one which your pet will grow into.

If you get one too small, he might feel cramped as time goes by (and he’s going to spend most of his day there).

Too big and you’re wasting money on space that your furry friend won’t be able to use; not only is this a waste of money, but it also means that your pet will have more space to make messes inside the crate.

As always, it’s best to err on the side of caution if you’re unsure and then buy a larger dog crate instead.

You can always transfer him to a smaller one once he outgrows the pre-existing one.

Choosing the right size

It is just as important with dog crates as it is with other matters related to pet care.

We often tell people to err on the side of caution when buying dog products in order to prevent complications later on.

It is no different with choosing the right size for your pet’s dog crate.

You can always transfer him to a smaller one once he outgrows the pre-existing one.

The good news is that pet cages come in different sizes, which means that you can buy a crate that’s perfect for your pet.

The bad news is that there are no set sizes for dog crates, so you will have to think about how your pet will grow and then choose a crate accordingly.

Conclusion

If you have a new puppy, or are thinking of getting one, it’s important to learn about crate training.

A kennel is a special kind of dog house that can be used for many purposes

including keeping your pup safe when not in the home and teaching them how to behave when they’re indoors.

Crate training helps your pet feel more secure and comfortable in their surroundings because they know where their boundaries are at all times.

It also teaches them what behaviors should be expected from themselves while inside the home so that they won’t get into trouble later on down the line!

There are several benefits associated with this process- here we’ll discuss 10 benefits (and some tools) you need before beginning crate training.

Free book “How to be the alpha dog” download here

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