Choosing the Right Crate for Your Dog

By nature, dogs are pack animals that live in dens. They take comfort in having their own secure area. You may have already observed your puppy finding a secure spot under a chair or bed. Offering your dog its own crate meets its instinctive needs and allows you some control in your housebreaking efforts.

Crate Selection

The first thing to do is decide on a crate.  The crate or carrier should be big enough for your puppy to turn around and lay down.  Giving your dog too much space allows it the option of soiling half its crate and still having an unsoiled area to lay down and rest.

Crates are made of a variety of materials. Those made of molded plastic are easy to clean, are draft-free, and have limited visibility. I have always used a wire crate. Wire crates provide a better view if car travel is frequent, but the crate may need to be covered to make it more den-like.

To get you started on your selection, we’ve provided information on current selections on e-bay.

Dog Crates

Crate Cleaning

If the crate is too large for the puppy, use a divider to make the area only large enough that he can stand up and turn around. Some crates even come with a divider so the crate can grow with the puppy. As puppy grows, you can move the divider to one side as you need to.

Our crate had a bottom tray that pulled out and could be cleaned and slid back in with little fuss.

 

Originally posted 2009-02-01 21:34:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

How to Crate Train your Puppy

If you’re thinking a crate is a nice name for C-A-G-E, you’re right. But introducing your puppy to a crate is not like getting him ready to go to prison.  To your puppy, the crate is a den and a natural way of life. The crate is a place of relaxation and safety for puppy. 

By nature, dogs are pack animals that live in dens. They take comfort in having their own secure area. Crate training, like housebreaking, can be a rewarding experience for both you and your puppy, but you have to be are willing to put in the time. I have crate trained many dogs and I have found that consistency is one of the most important elements of crate training.

The first thing to do is decide on a crate.  The crate or carrier should be big enough for puppy to turn around and lay down.  If the crate is too large, use a divider. Some crates even come with a divider so the crate can grow with the puppy. As puppy grows, you can move the divider to one side as you need to.

He may be weary of the crate at first. Let him sniff it and wonder around it until he is comfortable.  Putting one or two of his favorite chew toys or his favorite blanket in the crate may entice him to try it out.

Don’t scare your puppy.  If he starts to enter the crate, don’t help him out by pushing him in.  This only gives puppy reasons not to trust you. 

Once he is in the crate, use a command that puppy will associate with being in the crate.  Repeat the command every time he enters the crate.  Praise your puppy for his accomplishment. 

The next hurdle to tackle is closing the door.  Puppy must get used to being locked in the crate.  Choose another day to practice this step.  With puppy watching, close the door.  Puppy will only be closed in for a minute or two.  Open the door and let puppy come and go if he wishes.  When he reenters the crate, repeat the command and give praise.  Then, close the door again for a bit longer this time.  Increase the time to half an hour. 

At first puppy may whine while he is in the crate. This is normal. Don’t get alarmed and don’t give in and let him out.  If you respond with attention to the whiningm, you will be sending him the message that whining will work to get him out of his crate.  Instead, simply tell him to be quiet.  If he is still whining, try the command again until he hushes up. Inattention

You are not being cruel to puppy, but teaching him.  Puppies are cute and will wrap you around their little finger if you let them.  This may seem harmless enough, but an unruly adult dog is not cute.  He could be big trouble if you give into the cuteness and don’t remain consistent.

Using the crate as a babysitter is not wise. No more than six hours in the crate is advised. Puppy could develop abandonment or fear issues if constantly left alone.

Don’t deny your pet access to its crate. This is his home base and a source of security.

Crate training will also allow puppy to travel outside your home with no trouble.  He will be comfortable in the crate so riding in cars or going to unfamiliar places for the first time will be less traumatic.