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Dogs are den animals. In the wild they build dens by digging holes
in the ground or making use of existing small, protected areas.
It is instinctive for them not to soil their dens. In our homes,
the crate serves as a den.
Five Reasons to Crate Train Your Puppy
House training (potty training)
Relies on your puppy's own instincts to keep his den clean
Teaches him to "hold it"!
Helps prevent destructive behavior
Confined pups cannot chew the carpet or dig in the yard
Teaches him to chew on appropriate toys (i.e. Kong, etc.)
Teaches him to rest quietly and accept confinement
Traveling will be easier-many hotels accept a "crated"
dog
Pup will be more comfortable in kennel or hospital
Happy and safe when left unsupervised
Decreases incidence of behavior problems
Separation anxiety diminished in crate-trained dogs
Controls excessive barking
Playpen for puppy
Keeps children safe from puppy and vice-versa
Easier introduction of existing pets
Gives cats, older dogs, children "break" from puppy
Safe place for pup to "chill out"
A puppy in a crate cannot:
•Poop on the carpet
•get into the garbage
•chew your sofa or socks
•eat your plants
•lap up antifreeze or eat your Advil !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crate Basics
A crate should be just large enough for a puppy to stand up, turn
around and lay down. For a large breed puppy, purchasing a crate
big enough to accommodate him as an adult will require you to partition
the crate when he is small. You can partition a crate using a cardboard
box or crate divider from the pet store.
It is human nature to want to provide our puppies with soft, comfortable
bedding. HOWEVER, we caution you against this. Bedding may encourage
accidents, as it can absorb urine. Puppies have also been known
to chew or ingest entire blankets provided for them lovingly by
their owners!
If you observe your puppy, notice he will often choose cool, flat
surfaces such as tile or linoleum to rest on. It is not cruel to
crate your puppy without a blankie!
Once your puppy is an adult, it is safe to put bedding in his crate.
If you choose to purchase him a bed, be sure to supervise him!
Introducing the Puppy to a Crate
Choose a spot in your house such as the family room or kitchen/dining
room where the puppy will not feel isolated. Let him investigate
the crate with the door open. Praise the puppy for entering on his
own; ignore him when he exits. Hide small, tasty treats inside for
your puppy to discover. Feed him several meals in his crate (with
the door open). He will begin to associate his crate with good things.
Next, try putting your puppy in his crate with an appropriate chew
toy (discussed next) for short periods. After 5-10 minutes, if he
is quiet, praise him, and open the crate door. Do not inadvertently
reward him for exiting the crate by praising him as he walks out.
Slowly increase the amount of time the puppy is left in the crate.
To help ensure he will enjoy his crate, remember to provide him
with something to chew on.
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