Wire, metal crates are a top pick for crate training for several reasons: Their mesh-like, collapsible structure makes them easy to disassemble and transport, and, when constructed, provides a high level of visibility and ventilation for your pup while in the crate. Put a treat in the crate and use a simple word like “kennel” to get him used to the command. Depending on your dog (some destroy their beds, others don’t), you can choose a plush bed, a crate mat, or something in between. For example, a crate can help not only with housetraining, but also car or plane travel, and overnight stays with friends, family, or at a pet-friendly hotel. Foundation Website by Beyond Indigo Pets. Once you are ready to give your dog more time inside the crate, do it in small steps. Crate training is very useful to manage your dog’s behavior for a long time without any care. One of Flayton’s favorite tricks is giving the dog a KONG toy filled with peanut butter that she’s put in the freezer. Bring your dog over to the crate a… “Depending on the dog you have, they may tear a dog bed apart or they may use it to pee on,” she warns. Courtesy That Dog Geek Cautions with puppy crate training. At some point he’ll realize the door is closed and he’s inside. Prepare yourself for at least six months of training. Crate training can take days or weeks, depending on your dog's age, temperament and past experiences. After 3-7 days of this, your puppy should be ready to spend nights in the crate in that location too – … Once again, positive association rules. What I do with my dogs is drape a blanket over the back half of their crates to create a quiet, dark, den-like environment. Putting a puppy in her crate for a nap or some quiet time also helps her learn not to expect constant human attention, similar to the use of playpens for babies. Keeping the environment inside your dog’s crate comfortable is also very important. Puppy distinction. The second rule of crate training is what I call, “It’s all good,” which means everything about the crate is positive from your dog’s perspective. It creates a safe environment for your dog that teaches them responsibility and independence. The fan should provide good ventilation and keep your dog cool, without blowing directly on her — or she should be able to move away from it if she feels the need. To keep the mess to a minimum, you can use a stainless-steel bowl that attaches to a side or the front of the crate. But if you really want to introduce crate training to your puppy as early as 8 weeks, here are our tips: 8 Week Old Puppy Crate Training. Benefits of crate training your puppy “I think if you are getting a young puppy it’s a great decision to try and crate train your pup,” Shelby Semel, head trainer at Animal Haven rescue in New York City, told The Dodo. It’s important to keep two things in mind while crate training. Crating Puppy At Night During the days, work on ‘Stage 1-3’ of puppy crate training (below) with the crate in the regular daytime location where you want it to be. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Don’t introduce him to his crate right before you head out the door for work on Monday morning. “You don’t want to go out to dinner for six hours,” cautions Flayton. However, crate training an adult dog takes more time than training a puppy, especially when you need to reshape some old behavior or modify your dog’s schedule. Step 1: Introducing your dog to the crate Put the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. “Then get a divider so you can build the space and grant them more and more space.”. If the tag gets caught in the crate the dog could strangle. Put food rewards around the outside of the crate and inside as well so he can get comfortable going in and out without worrying about being “trapped” inside. Make sure to leave the door open (tie it open if necessary so there’s no chance it will close while he’s in there). (If your dog is a persistent bed shredder, she probably needs more frequent or vigorous exercise and/or additional mental stimulation.). Crate training puppies has several purposes, but most commonly it's for potty training and keeping dogs out of trouble. When you purchase a crate for your dog, the size is important. Congratulations on your new puppy or dog…and double congratulations on setting up a crate training schedule. A health benefit of crate training is that dogs accustomed to spending time alone in their “bedrooms” are much less likely to develop separation anxiety or other phobias. Put your puppy’s crate, some water, some toys, some chewies, and a puppy litter box inside of the exercise pen on a non-carpeted surface. As with any type of training, all dogs will learn and progress through their crate training at a different pace. The crate should always be associated with something pleasant, and training should take place in a series of small steps – don’t go too fast. Furthermore, most pups will go wherever they are at any given moment, unless they're in a crate. You can gradually extend the amount of time you leave him in the crate, providing he’s getting consistent, frequent trips outside to potty. Similar to before, the best trick for getting a puppy to go inside a crate willingly is to tempt him with food. If you purchased a crate ahead of time and it’s there when your dog comes home, as long as he hasn’t had a bad experience with confinement in the past, it’s should be pretty easy to get him acclimated to his little den. 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