Teaching your puppy crate training is the first and best step in his life. It makes all the other steps in his training go so much smoother, much like a solid foundation makes for a superior wall. Establishing you as the Alpha member of his "pack" is one very good reason for starting your puppy in a crate when he is very young.
Another reason for crate training is that dogs love predictability. To know what is going to happen in any given situation makes him happy, and more apt to be the best-behaved dog he can possibly be.
A strong crate is the very basis of good puppy training. A wire crate with a lock is the best kind. Make sure it is large enough for him to stand up and turn around. But not so large that he can roam and wander around. A too-large crate will inhibit house breaking. A crate that is just the right size will be perceived as his "nest", where puppies never "go potty". They will learn to hold it if you don't make a prison out of it.
Never leave a puppy under 8 weeks longer than one hour in his crate. He will soil it, after struggling and suffering as long as he can.
Put a nice pad in there with a bone. Start with placing a tasty treat in there, he will go in and get it. Do this several times without closing the door, let him come in and out freely for an hour or so. Praise him highly each time he goes in, make it all very pleasant.
Then when his attention is on his treat, close the door. Praise him quietly, "What a good boy, it's ok, such a good boy!" In 10 or 20 seconds, no longer, let him out without a word, no praise, just a pat. Do this for increasingly longer intervals, but do not give him a chance to get upset. You can do this several times the first day.
Make sure every training session ends on a happy note, this is crucial.
Once he sees the crate is his own private territory, he will go in there on his own, expecting treats and your attention. When he does, say, "Wanna crate?" with a happy face while getting his treats. Start leaving the room while he is in there for 2 minutes and onward, gradually. When you return, don't make a fuss, just walk over and open the crate. In 3 days he will be officially crate-trained, ready to be left alone for an hour, no longer at first. Leave him gradually longer, slowly and carefully.
Q. Why do I want a crate for my puppy?
A. Because they love it is the best reason. They feel very safe and secure in there. Here are some more:
When you leave a puppy alone, he always has some measure of separation anxiety. This leads him to any behavior that brings him comfort, which is chewing, digging, or when it is severe, voiding his bowels. When placed in a crate, he feels safe because nothing can get to him, nothing can harm him. He will sleep and chew and wait for you to return.
Crate training is the first step in being able to leave him overnight at the vet. Without it he will cry the entire time, feeling lost and abandoned. With crate training, he is sure you will return, you always do. Of course the vet's office is strange and will cause him some anxiety, but nothing like the pure terror he will feel without experience in being locked in.
NOTE: About crate-training, do not make a prison of his crate. Do not use it as punishment. Do not leave him there for more than 2 hours, just time for a long puppy nap and some chew time. After that he will cry. Do not remove him while he is crying. This will make him think he has to cry to get out. No matter what, make sure he is being good when you open the door. He will learn he has to be quiet to get out.
Do not make a fuss when you are letting him out, just quietly open the door and take him out to potty. When he potties, praise him to high heaven! Dogs naturally do not go where they nest, but sometimes it happens. Do not scold, just clean it out with a bland face. He will learn the lesson. If possible, try to clean it while he is outside so he returns to a clean crate.
In 25 years of training dogs, I have never seen any one thing more critical for a dog's well-being than good crate training.
Dy Witt has shown, bred and trained standard poodles for 25 years. The dog training method she uses has started her puppies off so well that the vets nad groomers of her placed pups have sent word back that they had never worked with happier more well-adjusted dogs in their careers. To read more, go to http://www.DogTraining15MinsaDay.com or email her at DogsLoveToWork@aol.com
Have you noticed that doctors are now being much more... Read More
I am a happy owner of two rat terriers. They... Read More
Trying to decide if you should get insurance on your... Read More
There seems to be an alarming trend to have cats... Read More
Buying a purebred dog is not something that should be... Read More
You've picked out the perfect puppy. You spent hours on... Read More
Caring for your dogs teeth is a vital part of... Read More
The greatest fear of most pet owners is that there... Read More
This is an old saying that many of us have... Read More
I would like to write a few words about my... Read More
Thunder storms affected pets differently. Some hardly notice them, others... Read More
Getting a new pet can be a lot of fun.... Read More
You do clean your house don't you? Well you have... Read More
Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and... Read More
Keeping your dog safe is similar to keeping a child... Read More
'Help, my cat is pregnant and I don't know what... Read More
The main ways a puppy will play with another dog... Read More
I have encountered folks who have complained to me about... Read More
Many pet owners don't like using a leash, for a... Read More
Mabeke is a young gorilla who was born in captivity... Read More
I am a dog lover by nature. I have just... Read More
The 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time According... Read More
Was he the world's greatest horse trainer of all time?... Read More
Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company... Read More
Just south of Snowdon, in the grey-stoned village of Beddgelert... Read More
Dogs have been known as man's best friend for decades.... Read More
Cat arthritis is not a very common ailment among healthy... Read More
Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present... Read More
As overwhelming as picking out a pet bird can be,... Read More
Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest,... Read More
1. What is heat?Heat is more properly called the estrous... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
Puppies and dogs, as mentioned, are social creatures. When they... Read More
Guinea Pigs make great pets and are fairly easy to... Read More
Our Charlie's dog health was a very important issue to... Read More
The answer is "no" if you are the type who... Read More
A poorly trained dog can embarrass its owner and offend... Read More
As many of you know America is serious about our... Read More
Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More
Let's face it ? everything is cute when it's small... Read More
If you are thinking of adding a dog to your... Read More
In most cases you should not be too concerned about... Read More
Did you know that your goldfish can live for over... Read More
Most parrot people are aware of some of the basic... Read More
Scottish Terriers are short-legged dogs, at a height of ten... Read More
It is important to choose a sugar glider breeder carefully.... Read More
This is a very controversial topic which has a lot... Read More
Dogs and children are a perfect fit. They are what... Read More
Part1: There is Actually a "Wrong" Way to Crate TrainCrate... Read More
The most common dog problems:Dog Owner's commonly ask me the... Read More
The American Kennel Club recognizes 150 different dog breeds. There... Read More
Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for... Read More
I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community.... Read More
Understanding where horses come from has been a long road... Read More
If Your Dog Suffers From Arthritis, Consider The Natural Alternative:Rimadyl... Read More
If you have a hard time in summer imagine how... Read More
Adopting a dog is a lot of fun, but it... Read More
Dog obedience training begins with the owner. There are several... Read More
None of us likes to be bitten by mosquitoes and... Read More
How to Deal With Anxiety in Your DogAnxiety in dogs... Read More
The information in this article is based on the successful... Read More
Do you have a home robotic vacuum cleaner? They are... Read More
Here are 5 things to do to put the odds... Read More
There are thousands of local and online Pet Stores but... Read More
Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been... Read More
Lots of folks are picky about their vet, and for... Read More
Pet |