How to Crate Train a Puppy

Info_lover | Jun 22, 2010 |

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You should never believe that crate training can hurt your dog. On the contrary, if you do not learn how to crate train a puppy, you will only end up hurting him both now and in the future. Some reasons for crate training a puppy include:

Used for housebreaking
Keeps your puppy safe and protects your furniture from damage
Prepares your puppy for travel and/or future kenneling

Setting up a Crate

Size - You should choose a crate which has sufficient room and space for your puppy to stand, sit or stretch himself out. As your puppy will only grow, you should be selecting a dog crate that will still fit him when he's an adult dog. Many dog crates tend to come with a partition which you can insert and later remove as your dog grows bigger in size. If you place your puppy in an over-sized crate, he may be tempted to relieve himself in a corner of the cage, away from where he normally sleeps. But, if you properly partition him off, then he is more likely to 'hold it in' as he has less space to move around.
Bedding - Use a blanket, an old towel or a washable crate pad for bedding. If possible also include a safe chew toy to make the sleeping area as inviting as possible.
Setting up - Set up your new puppy's crate before you even bring him home. You can buy dog crates at most pet stores, departmental stores as well as online pet supply catalogs websites. Wire crates are much better than plastic ones as some dogs are able to chew through the plastic. Never select an isolated spot for the crate. Instead, you should place it in an area where your puppy can socialize with every family member, such as the kitchen or the living room. When you go to bed, you will need to position the dog crate in your bedroom so that you can closely monitor him. This way, the puppy will not feel abandoned. What's more, you can hear him whenever he wants to go potty.

How Long Does It Take to Crate Train a Puppy

How long you crate train a puppy will depend on his age. As a basic rule of thumb, you should not crate him longer than you know he can wait to relieve himself. Go by the number of months of the puppy's age. For instance, if your pup is four months old, then you shouldn't crate train him any longer than four hours.

It's best that you stay by his side for the first few days/weeks. When you do need to go out, then you can place his dog crate (with door opened) in an enclosed area like the bathroom or laundry area with newspapers on the floor. Just ensure you "puppy proof" the room so that it's safe for your dog.

Give Him Time to Eliminate Outdoors

Before putting him in his new crate, you should be giving him lots of time to exercise and go potty outdoors. As soon as you see him doing his business in the correct designed spot, go ahead and lavish him with praise. Then, when the puppy is tired, you can take him inside to introduce him to his new home.

Expect Crying

You can expect to see your new puppy cry or whimper when he is first placed inside his crate. That said, it's important that you don't cave in to his tears. You can soothe him by saying "it's okay, etc." but NEVER take him out of the crate. Only reward him with his favorite treat or chew toy when he stops crying.

Lastly, bear in mind that the process of learning how to crate train a new puppy must be done with a positive attitude. In other words, you should always reward the dog with praise rather than punish it with harsh words.