How to Successfully Crate Train Your Puppy 

Crate training is an extremely effective and efficient method to help train your puppy and teach them certain behaviors. Though dog owners around the globe are divided on whether crate training is a humane or inhumane method of training, when used correctly crate training is very safe and not harmful for your puppy in anyway.  

In order to successfully crate train your puppy however, there are certain steps that you must take to ensure that you are doing it correctly. Failure to correctly follow these steps can lead to disaster, and in some cases may actually be abuse to your puppy.  

The first step in crate training is introducing your puppy to the crate. At first, your puppy may be scared of the crate and view it as a dangerous place. You must desensitize your puppy to the crate, and teach them that there is nothing to fear from it. When you bring the crate home, place it in an area where the puppy can investigate it for a few days. Do not immediately begin trying to crate train your puppy.  You must first let the dog realize that there is nothing to fear from the crate. Try placing a few treats inside the crate to get them to go in and explore, and praise them when they go inside the crate on their own accord. When the puppy goes into the crate, do not attempt to close them in! Give it a few days to allow them to become comfortable with the crate before you finally start closing them in.  

Click Here to Learn How to Stop Your Dog's Bad Behavior. 

Once your puppy has become accustomed to going into the crate and realizes that it is not something to fear, it is time to start closing the door. When the puppy goes into the crate on their own, slowly shut the door. Do not make a big deal of it, simply reach over and shut the door and walk away. Chances are, your puppy is going to whine and cry to be let out. You must wait until the puppy calms down and stops whining before you let it out, otherwise they are going to believe that whining equals being let out of the cage. Once the puppy has settled down, go back in and re-open the cage. Praise your puppy for being such a good dog, so they learn that being quiet in the crate is good behavior.  

You will have to do this for a couple of days to allow your puppy time to become accustomed to being put in the crate. To make this easier for your puppy, put a few of their favorite toys in the crate for them to play with. This will help prevent them from becoming bored in the crate as well, and can cut down on the time they spend whining to be let out. Now that your puppy is used to being locked in the crate for short periods of time, you can begin to train it to go to the crate when directed by you.  

When crate training your puppy, always remember to never use the crate as a form of positive. You want them to associate the crate with good behavior, not punishment. Additionally, do not leave your puppy in the crate for extended periods of time. This can lead to a kind of abuse to your new pet, and is not acceptable as a responsible pet owner.  

Click Here to Learn How to Stop Your Dog's Bad Behavior.