Puppy crate training should be the first priority in a young dogs life. It makes all the other steps in his training go so much smoother, much like a solid foundation makes for a superior structure.
To establish you as the Alpha member of his “pack” is also a very good reason for giving your puppy crate training when he is very young.
Another reason for crate training is that dogs love predictability. Knowing 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 on 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.
Using Food Treats
Position a comfortable pad in the crate along with a bone. If you begin with a tasty treat, he will go in and get it. Do this several times without closing the door. Let him go in and out freely for an hour or so. Praise highly each time your puppy goes into the crate to make sure he feels good about it.
Then when his attention is on his treat, close the door. Praise him quietly, eg “Good boy, it’s okay, you’re a good boy”. In 10 to 20 seconds, no longer, let him out without a word, nor praise, just a pat. Do this for increasingly longer intervals, but don’t give him a chance to get upset. This can be done several times the first day.
Make sure every training session ends on a happy note, as 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 big smile while getting his treats. Put the treats in the crate with him and then leave the room for 2 minutes.
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, but no longer at first. Gradually leave him longer, though slowly and carefully.
Note: Do not make a prison of his crate. Do not use it as punishment or leave him there for more than 2 hours. Long enough for a nap and some chew time is plenty. After that he will cry but don’t remove him while he is crying. This will make him think he has to cry to get out. Make sure he is being good when you open the door so he will learn he has to be quiet to get out of the crate.
When you go to let him out, just quietly open the door and take him out to potty. After he potties, praise him to high heaven! Dogs naturally do not soil where they nest, but occasionally it will happen. Don’t scold him, just clean it out with an expressionless face. If possible, try to clean it while he is outside so he returns to a clean crate.
Remember, good crate training is essential for a dogs well being.
Visit our preferred program for puppy crate training.
Useful Sites For Puppy Training
A lot of individuals believe that it is cruel to have your dog in a dog crate. They may equate this to such things as zoos and cages. But there are positive and valuable lessons that a new puppy can learn with proper dog crate training.
Dog crate training is usually easier with a puppy as they have no bad experiences to remember when you are enticing them into the cage. Mature dogs can be trickier, particularly rescue dogs as you may not hold a lot of information pertaining to the dog ’s history.
Potty training can be one of the most frustrating parts of owning a new puppy, but its very important to get right. When and where to potty are the things that your puppy has to learn, and it may take some time.
Boxer Crate Training Video
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