How to Crate Train a Puppy
Do you want to learn how to crate train a puppy? Well, a lot of dog owners do. In fact, every year, there are millions of dog owners who learn how to keep
their dogs in a crate or a separate room so that they can reduce separation anxiety, destructive behavior and barking when they leave their dogs in the house.
Learning how to do so will also be helpful when housebreaking a new puppy and when you have a dog with a tendency to sleep in your bed or on the couch.
The Value of a Crate to a Puppy
If you are learning how to crate train a puppy or you are just finding out if it is safe for your puppy, the thing to know is that most puppies and dogs like crates.
Dogs have a natural inclination towards crates. Dogs living in the wild naturally seek out a small and cozy place to nestle in and keep them safe and warm. Such a space resembles a crate, as crates provide dogs their own individual and safe space.
Dogs with wide and open spaces usually find it hard to distinguish what is their ‘home’, and can get anxious in an attempt to control and guard the whole space as their own.
How to Crate Train a Puppy
The ideal time to crate train a dog is when it is a puppy. Full grown dogs that have never had any experience with a crate find it harder to adjust and may get anxious. Puppies will also get a little anxious, but that are able to adapt more rapidly, and if they have never had the option to sleep elsewhere like in your bed, then there will be no reason to get upset.
To start with, you should put the crate in the family room, where the most people in the house will be present. During the night, place the crate in your bedroom, which provides them with a sense of security and comfort.
In time, after a month or so has passed, you can leave them in the one place, but when you start out, you should keep them close to you to help them feel safe. These simple steps will make learning how to crate train a puppy a lot easier.
You need to make sure that the crate provides your puppy with a clean and comfortable space to sleep, has a source of water and a toy they can play with.
The size of the crate should accommodate your puppy so that he can sleep peacefully in it. It should not be big enough for him to walk around otherwise he might create a mess, but should be big enough for him to turn around it. You want the crate to be comfortable for your dog.
When learning how to crate train a puppy, you should be aware that when you first place the puppy in the crate, you should not immediately pull him out if he gets anxious or upset. This sort of mistake spoils your puppy into thinking that if they make a fuss they will get what they want.
You should only pull the puppy out of the crate when he has not made a fuss and has been quiet for no less than 5 minutes. For his good behavior, you can give him lots of attention and even give him treat to reward him and show him he did the right thing.
When you are first learn how to crate train a puppy, you should try leaving your puppy in the crate for short time periods.
Start with leaving your puppy in the crate for an hour or two, and then as your dog gets older, increase the time they’re left in the crate to hours as long as an entire night or a day when you are working.
Discover How to CRATE TRAIN a Puppy Now!
Learning how to crate train a puppy properly will prevent your dog from being too noisy, anxious or displaying wild behavior when you leave the house. Puppies are able to quickly adapt, which makes it less difficult for you and everyone in the household.
Tags: crate, how to crate train a puppy, puppy, train