Crate Training a Puppy

Dogs have instincts that make them feel safe only once they are in a small den-like area. That's the way they are evolved. Being in a wide open house feel less than safe to them. That's why crate training a puppy is a good idea. It achieves two things at once. The begin with, it really helps potty train him. A dog who's closed up in a little den that is all his own will not be willing to soil the place. And so, he'll wii hold it in and ask to be taken out. That trains him right there. The other thing it achieves is that it helps him find a way to deal with his separation anxiety. He is confined to the crate for several hours at night, and he will learn to be by himself.

A kennel crate is a little container that they sell ready-made at any pet store, that you're supposed to use when you take your dog traveling by plane or something else. Why, if you're taking your dog on vacation, staying at a hotel most of the time, the hotel will require that you keep the dog crated. If your dog is pre-trained, this should not be a problem. It should be a great idea to start crate training a puppy right at the start and then to do it from time to time to keep his hand in.

The first thing you need to do to start crate training a puppy is of course, to prepare the crate. Your dog won't go in into an enclosure just like that. He will fear this feeling of entrapment that is involved. So what you need to do first is to detach the top half of the crate so that he can sit in there and understand that it isn't a threat. Once he gets used to it, you can put it back together and help your puppy stay in there, first without the door closed.

Your puppy will find his crate infinitely more welcoming if it's decorated with all his favorite stuff – soft chew toys and so on. You should make sure that there isn't any small object around that he might choke on. Round out his own little special room with a little food and water too.

Most puppies like soft bedding. You will need to find out. Some puppies don't like it at all soft; they like a hard surface to sleep on.

To help your puppy get used to his crate, first, throw bits of dog biscuit or kibble in there so that he will often have reason to think that this crate is a place where special things happen. You need to lavish your puppy with praise each time he goes in there voluntarily. Don't ever try to force him in there. When you put your puppy in there and lock the door for the night, make sure that the crate is right next to you, so that your puppy doesn't feel scared and lonely.