Why should I crate train?
Dogs in the wild live in a den which provides protection and a great deal of psychological satisfaction. All dogs have a strong natural tendency to seek out this type of shelter.
In your home if a dog has no place to call his own he will make all attempts to curl up under a table, chair, or any place that makes him feel safe.
When you use crate training it gives your puppy a place to feel safe and secure. Just like a baby in a playpen.
Crate training also takes advantage of his natural instinct to keep his home clean. This means when he has to "go" he will try to hold it until you can take him outside to the potty area.
This will teach him a schedule and help him eliminate accidents.
With crate training your puppy will have fewer behavior problems such as excessive barking and chewing.
But most of all it provides him with a safe and secure home where he will be happier and more self confident.
How do I crate train?
#1: Get your puppy acquainted with his new home.
Start from day one having you puppy sleep and rest in his new home. Soon he will seek security and comfort in his own new home. Encourage you puppy to go into his home on his own. If you have to toss in a little treat. DON'T FORCE HIM IN! Take it slow. At first don't close the door on him let him go in and out on his own.
Once he is happy and unafraid of his new home simply restrain him at the door with your hand. Make him stay in his new home for a few minutes them gradually increase the time and be sure to praise him!!!
Once he is comfortable with this (maybe a few hours or few days) you can shut the door. Slowly you can get further and further away from his home praising him for good behavior. Eventually he will sit quietly and sleep in his new home with the door closed.
Step #2: Direct him where to eliminate.
Understand that little puppies need to "go" about every 2-4 hours. On a schedule (such as after feeding, before bedtime, and first thing in the morning) let you puppy out. Teach him the route to the door, praise him at the door and take him out to the part of the yard you want him to use. You are teaching him to eliminate on a schedule that will be with him for the rest of his life.
As you puppy gets older (4-6 months old) you can gradually leave him in his house for longer periods of time because he can hold it longer. Soon he will be able to hold it all day.
Some DO's and DON'Ts of Crate Training
Do...buy a kennel large enough for you dog when he is full grown.
get you puppy use to his new home gradually. Provide soft, washable bedding in the home so that it is comfortable and warm. Make the inside of the home as cozy as you can. Keep it clean and free of fleas.
Supervise you puppy anytime he is free in your
home. Supervision is what allows you to direct
behaviors. Chewing, elimination, barking, and all other behaviors are all dependent on your direction. If allowed unsupervised, he will begin to direct his own behavior and schelude.
DON'T...leave your puppy in his home all day. At 6 weeks
he can hold his bladder about 4 hours, by 8 weeks about 5 hours
and by 12 weeks 6 hours. By 5-6 months old your puppy shoud be
able to "hold it" for an 8 hour work day.
.......put housebreaking or puppy pads in your puppies home. We are trying to take advantage of the puppies natural instinct NOT to go in his home.
......let your new puppy roam through you house unsupervised. Keep an eye on him so that when he sniffs and circles (indication he is about to go) you can quickly and gently guide him to the door and outside.
.....force you new puppy into his home for
the first time. Plan on taking plenty of quality time with him the first few days to get him accoustomed to his new surroundings.
.....punish you puppy by putting or forcing him
into his home. Your puppies home should be his
secure place and should not be associated with
punishment, fear, or
anything negative.
Crate training and Supplies
MIDWEST HOMES FOR PETS LIFE STAGES CRATES:
Your pets home for life! Comes with a free divider panel. Cuts housebreaking time in half by keeping your puppy from eliminating in one end and sleeping in the other. Allows you to adjust the length of the living space as your puppy grows into their adult size. Easy to set up and folds down to a portable size. It has a durable, satin black electro-coat finish. Easy to clean, ABS plastic removable pan. Corners are rounded for safety. Side door allows flexibility so home can be placed in the most convenient place.MIDWEST HOMES FOR PETS LIFE STAGES CRATES:
Your pets home for life! Comes with a free divider panel. Cuts housebreaking time in half by keeping your puppy from eliminating in one end and sleeping in the other. Allows you to adjust the length of the living space as your puppy grows into their adult size. Easy sets up & folds down to portable size. Durable, satin black electro-coat finish. Easy to clean, ABS plastic pan. Corners are rounded for ultimate safety.
24" x 18" x 19" $50.00
Please let me know ahead of time if you would like me to provide this for you when you pick up your puppy....We will start crate training in their crate at about 6 weeks of age.
