subject: Crate Training Your Puppy - A Training Technique You Must Do [print this page] Crate training a dog, to me is one of the most important parts of dog obedience training. Crate training teaches young dogs how live within the crate. Dogs by instinct will try their best not to soil where they sleep. This is crucial when it comes to house breaking a puppy. Give them treats when you put them in their crate or a favorite chew toy. They will soon come to the conclusion that their crate is a comforting place.
The first step is finding the right size crate for your dog. It should be big enough for your dog to stand and move around in comfortably. If you have a puppy most crates come with a divider you can use to keep the crate the right size for your puppy. The reason you don't stick a puppy in a crate that is to large is that he might soil on one side and sleep on the other.
The second step you should take is feeding your dog in the crate. Do this once a day for a week or two so your dog gets a sense of reward for being in his crate. After the second week only feed your dog in the spot you designate for feeding.
You should set the crate in a spot where your dog can see everything that is going on. Put it in a room where the family is most often so your dog will still feel like one of the pack. If it should whimper or bark to get out but it is a designated time for them to be in their crate, don't give in. Wait at least 15 minutes or your dog will associate whimpering or barking with getting out of the crate. Of course this is assuming it's been outside recently to do it's business.
Once your dog is inside their crate do not disturb them. Let them do whatever they feel like doing inside their crate. This will give your dog the enjoyment of having their own space to do as they wish. They should have plenty of things to occupy their time with chew toys or balls. In time they will be comfortable enough with their crate to go there when they are tired or when they just want to be by themselves for a while.
Crate training is a wonderful tool to use for dog obedience training. If done right you and your dog will be on your way to a great life together.
