What is crate training?
Put your puppy in a small pet carrier or crate while you are busy or gone. Puppies will not use the bathroom where they sleep. Once you get home or the puppy starts crying, immediately take them outside or to the area they are to use the bathroom. Always reward them with a treat. This is supposed to be a very effective way to train your dog. If the crate or cage is too big, however, it will not work. There is lots of good information on the web on how to crate train a dog. Read our advice on the “Caring For Your Puppy” page of this website. We discuss the many advantages of crates for your dog.
Like babies, puppies cannot control their bladders until they mature (usually between 3 and 6 months). Dogs have a natural instinct to avoid eliminating in their dens. Therefore, confining your puppy in his crate for the proper amount of time encourages him to “hold it” until you take him outside for a walk. For a FREE step by step guide on housebreaking puppies (including the rules of crate training) click here.
Crate training is the process of training your new puppy to view its crate (aka kennel) as a safe, comfortable place to be. As a result, your puppy will have a “den” in which to retreat and relax, in which they will not potty (a great potty training tool). To this end, you should not use the crate as punishment. For more information on crate training, see our Training Tips.
Like babies, puppies cannot control their bladders until they mature (usually between 3 and 6 months). Dogs have a natural instinct to avoid eliminating in their dens. Therefore, confining your puppy in his crate for the proper amount of time encourages him to “hold it” until you take him outside for a walk.
Crate training is a safe and proven way to house train and teach your puppy/dog good house manners. Dogs that are crate trained properly when they are puppies are less likely to have severe problems with separation anxiety as adults. They are also more like to complete their house training quicker and without destroying valued household items or injuring themselves when unattended.
