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Crates It's a dog's life. |
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 The first step – Have the puppy’s home in place before you bring the puppy home the first night. Put the crate in the primary care takers bedroom near the bed so the puppy can see his new master. Line the new crate with newspaper or a blanket or rug that is easily washed. Put the newspaper in the back of the crate and the rug in the front of the crate so puppy does not have to “walk through” his own mess to come to greet you when you arrive home. Do not scold the young puppy for going to the bathroom in his crate. As soon as the puppy is mature enough to “hold it” he will do so; this usually occurs at about 10 weeks old for a female and 14 weeks for a male. His crate becomes his new “den” and he wants to keep it clean, he also feels very secure in his “den”. Whenever you are not watching the puppy closely or when you leave your home, the puppy should be in his crate. It is not a good idea to put food in a puppy’s crate, what goes in comes out only a few minutes later; water should be put into a water bottle which can be hooked on the outside of the crate with only the nozzle inside the crate.
 The first few nights your puppy may cry and whimper. Remind him verbally all is fine and keep him in the crate. If the puppy has been sleeping and has awaken you during the night with a cry, get out of bed and take him to his “place” outside. Once he has relieved himself and you have cleaned up any soiled bedding from his crate, put him back to bed. It will not be long before puppy is sleeping peacefully all night long. If you give in and let puppy on your bed you have failed training 101 before it got started.
 Once puppy is sleeping through the night, learning not to soil his “den” and everything seems to be running smoothly (about five months of age) he will begin to chew everything in sight. A crate is an effective tool for guiding canine behavior. With the aid of a crate you can be successful in training your puppy. If puppy is allowed to roam your home while you are not visually watching him, you can expect damage when you return. They cannot be expected to stay away from things if you are not there to tell then “NO”. Once your puppy has matured to the point of doing his business where you have decided he will go and once he knows the rules of the house, you may begin to give him brief periods of freedom in a larger area of your home. This should be a gradual transition beginning usually around 10 months of age – this may be much longer for some breeds.
 Use the Umbilical cord method to give you puppy a little more freedom outside the crate during his early months. The umbilical cord method is simply a long training lead which is attached to your waist and the puppy’s collar. Everywhere you go, the puppy can go “safely” without damaging your property or soiling your rugs. The umbilical cord method also gives you plenty of opportunity to train the new puppy with a vocabulary that he will soon begin to know. These words and commands would include “NO”, “OFF”, “DOWN” “STAY”, “SIT” “HUSH” “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD PUPPY”.
Adult Dogs have problems which can be solved with the use of a crate. The approach and use of a crate is somewhat different than with a new puppy. Adult dogs can be retrained through the use of a crate, however, the adjustment is slower and more patience is needed on the part of the owner. Basically, you must begin at the beginning and treat the older dog just as you would the young puppy with the scheduled confinement until proper behaviors are taught. This can be accomplished. The alternative is to give up. These are the dogs that are found at the shelters. Don’t let your puppy be one of these dogs.
 The benefits of the crate are many. Crates provide a safe haven for dogs loved by their owners but perhaps not by a guest. Crates provide a secure place to put a dog when workers or strangers are in your home performing needed tasks. Crates are a warm alternative on a rainy day. Crates provide the sick and injured a safe environment. Crate trained dogs accept kenneling at the vet and during holidays or vacations with little if any stress.
Provide a Den For Your Pet -- You and Your Pet Will Be Glad You Did!
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