Crate training is a very practical and useful way to teach specific behaviors to your puppy. The opinions on crate training are divided among owners of dogs worldwide, with some feeling that this training method is cruel, and others standing by it. If you crate train your puppy correctly, it can be an excellent and safe way to make your life, and the puppy’s life, easier.
To make sure that you are crate training your puppy in a correct and successful manner, certain steps must be taken. Disaster or even puppy abuse could occur if you don’t follow these steps.
Getting your puppy acquainted with the crate is the first step. Your puppy might see the crate as a dangerous place that causes fear at first. You’ll need to teach your puppy that the crate isn’t a place to be afraid of, and slowly desensitize the puppy to it. After you bring a new crate into the house, leave it somewhere that the puppy can access and investigate it on their own. Do not try using the crate for training right away. Your puppy must learn that the crate isn’t something it should be afraid of. Always praise your puppy when it goes in the crate on its own, and even encourage that behavior by placing a couple of treats inside of it. Do not try to close the puppy in the crate when it goes into it! Give your puppy some time to become familiar with the crate before you begin shutting them in it.
It is time to start actually using the crate when your dog has overcome any anxiety about the container. After your puppy enters the crate by themselves, close the door slowly. Just reach over, close the door, and walk away; don’t make a production out of it. Most likely, your puppy will begin crying or whining. Be sure to leave the dog in the crate until it stops fussing, because you do not want them to think they can get out whenever they whine. When you hear the puppy calm down, you can open the crate door again. Praise your dog for being good; this will teach them that it is proper behavior to sit quietly in the crate.
You might need to repeat this for a few days until your puppy gets used to the process and understands it more. Place some of your puppy’s favorite toys in the crate to make it a little easier on them. This will likely cause them to whine much less, as well as keep them from becoming bored while inside of the crate. When your puppy is familiar with staying in the crate for a short time, you can begin training the dog to go in when you tell it to.
As you are crate training your puppy, you should always make the crate a positive experience. The crate should not be associated with punishment, but rather with good behavior. Also, avoid keeping the puppy inside of this crate for prolonged amounts of time. That kind of behavior is potentially abusive, as well as irresponsible, and may ultimately harm your new puppy.
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