Crate Training

Give your new friend a special place it may call his own. Your puppy will use this place to rest and sleep, and it will feel safe and protected here. Make it a warm and cozy home for her, in a draft-free corner in an area, near family activity.

The ideal situation would be a training crate and, when your puppy is very small, place a divider in the crate to create a smaller area.  This will make it feel more secure.  Add some warm, washable bedding for her to snuggle up in.

With crate training you will know that the puppy is not getting into any mischief, even when you cannot be there to watch her. You will not have to worry while you're out on a short errand that she is getting into something. Training crates are very useful tools when house-training your puppy, because the dog's instinct is not to soil her bed.

Although some people do not like the idea of crate training, most dogs learn to love their crate, which provides for them security and comfort.

Crate training is useful in a variety of circumstances:

  • It prevents vocalization at night because the crate can be moved to your bedroom
  • It prevents chewing or destructive behaviour
  • It is the best method for house training
  • A crate-trained dog will travel calmly and will not need to be tranquilized
  • Crate-trained dogs are happier when boarded (you can take the crate along)

    The only disadvantage of crate training is that it cannot be used if the pup is isolated for long periods. Do not leave your puppy in the crate for more than 6 hours during the day without checking on her and letting her out to eliminate. However, it is fine to leave the puppy in it all night.

    STEPS IN CRATE TRAINING

    1. The crate should be large enough for the adult to stand up and turn around.

    2. The crate should be kept in the kitchen or bedroom. You may want to keep it in the kitchen for the day and move it into the bedroom at night. It should not be left in isolated areas.

    3. To start with, put toys in the crate so the pup can go into it on her own. Associate the crate with fun things.

    4. Put the pup in for a few minutes with the door closed. If she misbehaves try to distract her. Try to leave the puppy in her crate for 10 minutes. Let the puppy out only when she is quiet. Do not let her out of the crate if she is barking, howling or whining, as you are reinforcing this behaviour (i.e. if I cry I get let out). Instead, try to distract your puppy by making a noise (shake a tin can containing pennies), and if the puppy is quiet for a few seconds, let her out of the cage and praise or reward her with an appropriate treat.
    Gradually extend the amount of time you leave her in her crate. Once the puppy is comfortable in the crate for about a half-hour without making a fuss, then she can be left alone. By crate training in this manner you will teach your pup that she will not get out of her crate by making a fuss, and you are rewarding quiet behaviour with praise and attention.

    5. Respect your puppy's privacy when she is in her special place; don't just reach in and pull her out, let the pup come out by herself. Don't let children bother or tease your puppy. She needs to feel safe when in her special place.

    You'll be glad you gave your pup her own place when she goes there for naps or happily snuggles down for the night without whimpering and crying. And you'll know that your puppy is not getting into mischief, even when you can't be there to watch her.