The Benefit of Crate Training Dogs

Crate Training Dogs

How Do I Crate Train My Dog

Are you having problems with your dog peeing on the floor and want to know how to get your dog to stop? You’re not alone. Every year, millions of dog owners around the country are looking for ways to prevent this from happening. The answer is crate training. Learn how to keep your dog(s) in a crate or separate room when you leave the house to reduce anxiety, destructive behaviour and barking from the dog. It is also a very valuable tool when trying to house break a new puppy and can make your life much easier if your dog insists on sleeping in your bed or on the couch.

What’s The Value of  Crate Training a Dog

The value lies in giving your dog boundaries. Dogs love having a safe place to burrow into. Have you ever noticed how an outside dog will sometimes dig a hole, they are looking for an area where they feel safe. So whether you’re learning how to crate train a dog or just determining if it is safe for your dog, know that most dogs love their crates. In the wild, a dog will seek out a small, safe space to burrow into that will keep them safe and warm. A crate performs that wonderfully, by giving them a safe space that is theirs alone. Dogs that have big areas to roam often have trouble differentiating their “home” from it, and will grow anxious trying to control and patrol the entire space.

Crate Training a Dog

The best time to crate train your dog is when it’s a puppy. A full grown dog that has never been in a crate, already has established habits that will make it harder and training time longer to adjust to the small space and may grow anxious. A puppy will also be a little upset but will adapt much quicker, and if the puppy never gets to sleep with you in your bed, it will not know that option was available and will not have anything to be upset about.

It is best to place the crate in the family room or a room where a lot of people will be present. This gives them a sense of comfort that are not being left alone.  At night, it is suggested that you put the crate in your bedroom to give them a safe presence nearby. After a month or so, you should be able to leave them in one room, but for now, be close to keep them to give them a sense of safety.

When putting your puppy in a crate, make sure it is clean, provide a comfortable place to sleep, place a bowl of water nearby, and a toy to play with. The crate should only have enough room for him to sleep in. If he has room to walk around in it, he may make a mess in it. The crate should be large enough for the dog to turn around in and still be comfortable  to them, it should not be inhumane.

A very important lesson when crate training a dog, is to make sure you do not pull the dog out of the crate if he gets upset, cries, or starts barking. This will only teach the puppy that by making a fuss, you will give him attention. When the puppy has been quiet for at least 5 minutes, you may take him out of the crate, greet him with a lot of attention and even give him a treat to reinforce that he did it right.

When first training your puppy, try to leave him in the crate for short periods of time – an hour or two at a time. As he grows older and more accustomed to the crate, increase that time to match a full night of sleep or a day at work.

By learning how to crate train a dog properly, you’ll ensure that your dog will never get too loud, destructive, or anxious when you leave. A puppy adapts quicker too, which is a lot less stressful for everyone in the house.