Post by Allison Allen on Oct 22, 2003 21:38:11 GMT -5
The Importance of Crate Training
When dogs are in the wild, they live in a den. This makes them feel safe and secure. In your home, his crate is his den. Crate training should start as soon as you bring your puppy home. He should be encouraged to sleep and rest in the crate. He should be coaxed in, not forced. A small treat can be used, and always give him lots of praise. At first, he may try to back out, or become very timid. This is normal. Just give him time, and he'll go in on his own. In the beginning, don't close the door. Let him go in and out as he pleases, until he's comfortable with this situation. Once he is comfortable, restrain him with your hand in the doorway. Eventually, he will feel comfortable enough to have the door closed. A puppy should be kept in his crate whenever not supervised.
A puppy instinctively knows not to "mess" in his crate, but he does need to go out every 2-4 hours when he's young. Make sure you take him out frequently, and get him on a schedule. He will not be able to destroy things, by chewing on them, when he is in hii crate. Leave an approved chew toy in the crate with him, so that he can satisfy his need to chew. Eventually, as the puppy grows into a full grown dog, he will use his crate, with the door open, as his own little den.
When dogs are in the wild, they live in a den. This makes them feel safe and secure. In your home, his crate is his den. Crate training should start as soon as you bring your puppy home. He should be encouraged to sleep and rest in the crate. He should be coaxed in, not forced. A small treat can be used, and always give him lots of praise. At first, he may try to back out, or become very timid. This is normal. Just give him time, and he'll go in on his own. In the beginning, don't close the door. Let him go in and out as he pleases, until he's comfortable with this situation. Once he is comfortable, restrain him with your hand in the doorway. Eventually, he will feel comfortable enough to have the door closed. A puppy should be kept in his crate whenever not supervised.
A puppy instinctively knows not to "mess" in his crate, but he does need to go out every 2-4 hours when he's young. Make sure you take him out frequently, and get him on a schedule. He will not be able to destroy things, by chewing on them, when he is in hii crate. Leave an approved chew toy in the crate with him, so that he can satisfy his need to chew. Eventually, as the puppy grows into a full grown dog, he will use his crate, with the door open, as his own little den.