Crate Training - Get the Job Done Fast and Efficiently

What is Crate Training? It is a proven aid to help train dogs who act inappropriately without knowing any better. If you have a new dog or puppy, use the dog crate to limit his access to the house until he learns all the house rules. What he can and can't chew on and where he can and can't eliminate.

Dogs have two instincts that help make them easier to train. First of all they naturally want to live in a small den or enclosure, and like most self respecting animals – humans included – they want to keep the area where they sleep and eat clean. House training dogs with a crate is one way to use these two natural instincts to your advantage.

The use of a pet crate is the most popular way of house breaking puppies. It is the preferred method of most professional dog handlers. No other method even comes close to the effectiveness of using a crate.

Cages and Crates from PetSmart.com

Until house trained your dog should never be allowed to have the run of your house. When you are not playing, feeding, grooming or interacting in some way with your faithful friend, put him in the crate. If you leave your untrained dog unattended, an accident could occur, and that is not a habit you are aiming for.

In a perfect world, all dogs would be house trained when they are puppies. For a variety of reasons this doesn't always happen; this method can be used for puppies and adult dogs.

Crate training can begin between the ages of 8 - 12 weeks. It will take about 3 weeks, but will depend on your puppy's temperament. Some dogs will learn faster than others.

Puppies have short attention spans and small bladders; this means that they cannot hold it as long as more mature dogs. This is especially true of smaller breeds, the bigger the dog the bigger the bladder. A general rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold it no longer than an hour for each month of age.

Consistency

House breaking your dog will require patients and consistency; your consistency. Ultimately the time you are able to spend with your puppy the faster and easier the training will go. For awhile it could be a 24 hour job but it will be worth spending the time and effort now and save a lot of aggravation later on.

Before Beginning the Housebreaking Program

It is a good idea to take your best friend to your veterinarian for a check-up before you start crate training. Have her checked for worms and discuss your dog's diet. Many dog foods on the market contain a lot of fiber. Sugar is another problem; many dog treats contain a considerable amount of sugar. Both fiber and sugar can interfere with the house breaking routine as can worms.

More on crate training puppies...

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"What a dog I got, his favorite bone is in my arm."
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