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Crate Training
.jpg) Crate training is a good tool to use for housetraining, as well as a way to keep puppies in a safe environment when their owners are away. Crates can be made entirely of wire or may be plastic with a wire door such as those used for airline transport. If a wire crate is used, a blanket should be draped over the top and sides to mimic a den-like area. This gives the puppy a greater sense of security. Just remember to leave the door uncovered.
Crating Tips
Size Matters! Crates should be large enough for the puppy to:
Ø Lie down in when fully stretched out
Ø Stand up comfortably
Ø Turn completely around in
Home alone! Most dogs do not want to soil the environment that they sleep or lie down in, especially when it is a smaller area such as a crate. If the puppy is eliminating in the crate, there may be a medical problem, the crate may be too large or the puppy may be spending too much time confined in the crate. The rule of thumb for how long a puppy should be kept in the crate is:
The puppy’s age in months + 2
For example, a 2 month old puppy should not stay in a crate for any longer than 4 hours at a time. This guideline is true up to a maximum of 8-10 hours in a crate (while owners are at work). If a very young puppy is going to be confined all day, the crate should be large enough to provide an area for papers for elimination.
Creature comforts! Always provide water for your puppy. Place the crate in a family area that is comfortable and well lit, but not in direct sunlight. The puppy should learn to love going into the crate. Feeding the puppy in the crate helps to make it a safe, secure, happy place. It may also help to leave a radio or television on softly in the same room and to use a nightlight at night. The crate should never be used as a form of punishment for the puppy. It can be used for "time out" periods when necessary but this is not the same as punishment. Never leave a collar or anything else around the puppy's neck when in the crate. Doing so could result in accidental strangulation.
Getting started! To start acclimating the puppy to the crate, give it some quiet time in the crate during the day. Put a toy, a blanket and something safe to chew on in the crate with the puppy for a little while each day. During these short sessions, (5-10 minutes to start), stay quietly in the room with the puppy but do not respond to attempts to get your attention. As the puppy becomes more comfortable with this, go to other areas of the house and leave the puppy in the crate. Before you release the puppy from the crate, ask the puppy to sit, then praise it and release it from the crate when it does. Do not fuss over the puppy when first released from the crate or it may associate release from the crate with lots of attention and will always seek to get out.
Staying safe! If you are not going to crate train, you should confine your puppy to one room or area at first. Make sure that the room is puppy proof. Secure all cupboards with chemicals can that harm your puppy. Make sure the area is free of strings, ropes, garbage, light cords, small objects, shoes and other inappropriate chewables, etc. As with a crate, the puppy should have a blanket, water, toys and something safe to chew. Expand the areas to which the puppy has access gradually and only when the puppy has not eliminated or destroyed anything in the area to which it was confined. Papers for urination and defecation will need to be provided if the puppy will be left for several hours.
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