How To Crate Train A Puppy
You can learn how to crate train a puppy with the tips outlined in the article below.
Crate training is necessary in order for your dog to start to learn obedience, become house trained and feel secure in his own place.
One important part of crate training a puppy is getting the right size dog crate. The crate should be big enough for the dog to stand and turn around in, but not so big that he gets lost in it. If your puppy is a larger breed, you can buy a bigger crate that will fit him when he is an adult, but you must also buy a piece that sections it off so that is is smaller for when he is a puppy. You want the crate to emulate a secure den for you new puppy and it just won"t feel the same if it is too big!
14 Tips for Crate Training Your New Puppy
Author: Peggie Arvidson-Dailey
Your new puppy is arriving and you have heard of crate-training,
but are not sure how to make it work for you and your newest
addition. From years of experience as a pet-owner, lover and
specialist, I have learned some things about crate training that
I"d like to share with you.
Crate training is wonderful part of an overall family training
program if handled correctly. Your puppy will feel secure in his
space if you make it a pleasurable experience from the very
beginning by following these 14 tips.
1.Get a crate large enough to allow your pup space to turn
around, stand up and lie down for a nap.
2.Put a soft blanket in
the crate, preferably with his mother"s scent on it when you
bring him home.
3.Make sure to put his toys for chewing and a
treat or two in the space furthest from the ‘door."
4.Put the
crate in a corner of room where he can feel out of the way, yet
have access to you.
5.Let your pup wander in and out of the
crate to get a feel for it, the crate makes a nice ‘den" for
your puppy and he will likely take to it for comfort and solace
when he is tired, over-excited or worried.
6.Remove your pet"s
collar/s before closing the crate to avoid any choking;
7.Have a
bottle of water with ice hooked to the crate if you will leave
your puppy for more than an hour;
8.When it"s time to be crated,
tell your puppy "Crate" or "Bed" and show him to the crate. You
may put a treat in there if you have been training him with
treats.
9.Don"t ever: scare him into the crate, put him in there
as a punishment or otherwise encourage a negative connotation to
the crate.
10.Practice this several times a day during his first
few weeks home. Leaving him in the crate for short intervals
while you leave the house. He will soon realize that you come
back and let him out.
11.If your dog needs something to chew,
make sure you give him a toy that he cannot shred, break or
otherwise harm himself with. If he is an aggressive chewer, I
recommend the Galileo Bone by Nylabone.
12.When you let your
puppy out of the crate, immediately take him outside to relieve
himself. For very young puppies, this will likely be every 4
hours. (on average a puppy needs a break in as many hours as he
is months old – if your puppy is 4 months, please give him a
potty break every four hours)
13.When you are leaving, or
putting him in the crate, give him his command, "Crate," praise
him gently when he complies (but do not get effusive – you don"t
want him to get all riled up!) and then leave without a
commotion.
14.Upon returning, open the crate and let your puppy
come out at his own pace. Don"t make a big fuss, simply praise
him gently, put on his collar and leash and take him outside.
Crate training is a valuable asset to any training program for
new puppies and can help enhance your relationship with your
canine pal. A happy and comfortable puppy will mature into a
well-mannered and loving companion.
About the author:
Pet-Care Expert, Peggie Arvidson-Dailey, is the author of "How
to Maintain Your Love Affair With Your Pet" and the founder of
Peggie's Pet Services. To learn more about maintaining YOUR love
affair with your pet sign up for FREE how-to articles and FREE
teleclasses, visit http://www.peggiespets.com
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