Crate Training a New Puppy

There are many good reasons to crate train a new puppy.  A crate can provide a safe and secure place in your home for your new puppy.  Many people leave the door to a crate open at all times so their dog can go in and out at will.  Lots of dogs like sleeping in crates with a comfortable blanket or pad and a favorite toy.  Crates can simulate a den-like atmosphere — warm, dark and cozy.  Many dogs derive comfort from sleeping in a crate.

Crate training a new puppy can also help in house training a puppy.  Dogs will not usually soil their sleeping area so using a crate to confine your puppy for short periods of time will encourage him not to go to the bathroom inside, but instead to go when you take him outside.

Crates are also an absolute necessity if you ever plan to travel by air with your dog.  They’re also recommended for traveling in cars, trucks and vans.  A dog traveling in a crate is far more protected if you should have an accident than one who is riding loose in a vehicle.  In fact, loose dogs can cause accidents.  Crate training a puppy can help in many ways.

Crate training a new puppy isn’t difficult.  You should begin by placing the crate where it will be noticed.  You can put a pad or blanket inside along with some toys and safe things to chew on.  Your puppy will probably be curious about it.  Let him nose around it and examine it all he wants.  You can leave it sitting out for him so he can get used to it and see that there is nothing scary about it.  If he wants to go in and out of it that’s great.  Some puppies will curl up inside.  Let them.  You can give them treats or place treats inside the crate so they associate it with good things.

Once your puppy has gotten used to the crate itself you can offer your puppy a bowl of food in the crate one day.  Leave the door open.  You can do this for a couple of days.  If your puppy handles this well you can close the door for short periods of time.

Gradually you will close the door while your puppy is in the crate, staying in the room with him.  He may bark and protest, but if he has toys and safe things to chew on, he will relax.  You can let him out after a few minutes and give him a nice reward.

Eventually you can progress to leaving your puppy crated, with the door closed, while you leave the house for a little while.  Make sure you praise your puppy and reward him when you return.

Keep in mind that your new puppy is a youngster and he can’t go too long in a crate without needing to go to the bathroom.  Consider his needs and don’t leave him crated for more time than he can tolerate.  A good rule of thumb is one hour for every month of age, give or take an hour.

Crates are not meant to be places where dogs are out of sight, out of mind.  They are safe places for dogs where they can relax.  Crate training a new puppy is not hard to do and it is something that will be useful for your puppy to learn for many reasons.  Follow the tips above and you and your new puppy shouldn’t have any problems.