You should use this method as soon as you bring your new pup home to be able to start positive reinforcements that will shape your new puppy’s behavior so he can grow into a well-behaved dog that will bring only happiness and joy to you and your household.

What’s with the crate?

The crate training method is actually to help in training your new puppy about where to relieve itself and also to train the new puppy to be ok without you.

Properly and lovingly done, the crate method will potty train your pup as well as help prevent the formation of separation anxiety for when you have to be away from your new puppy for some time. The crate can be a nice comfortable kennel or a “container” that can be closed, which will be used as your pup’s place for sleep.

To train your new puppy to get inside his crate for the first time, you can try this: get your puppy’s attention by holding up a doggy biscuit and throwing it into the crate. Then say things in an encouraging manner for your puppy to look for the biscuit.

When your new puppy finds the biscuit inside his crate, praise him vocally and reward him further. Finding that biscuit in his crate will serve as his first experiential reward, which he will associate with his crate.

In or out?

Some people may feel that when training the new puppy using the crate method, the pup should be let out of the crate when humans are around. On the contrary, you should train your pup to be in his or her crate while you are in the room. This will ensure that he doesn’t associate being in his crate with human absence.

If you are training your new puppy with the crate method, do not leave your puppy in for too long. Remember that especially with younger puppies, it is difficult for them to control when they need to “go” so you will need to let them out often and allow them to do their business.

If you leave your puppy in too long and it soils its crate, you will set back your training for weeks or even months.

For more information, please visit the dog training tip website and the dog obedience training website.

Successful crate training can pay huge rewards for both puppy and owner. Crate training a puppy is not difficult, but it does require constant effort.

The Right Crate Is Essential When Crate Training A Puppy

It’s best to place your puppies crate in an area of the house like the kitchen that is frequented by everyone in the household. Large crates can be partitioned for young puppies and later removed as the dog grows. Wire frame crates are recommended for better ventilation, plus it’s easier to hang toys from them to help with puppy crate training. Puppies generally prefer wire crates because they can easily see what’s going on around them.

Toys Have Their Place When Crate Training A Puppy

Toys can help your puppy feel more comfortable and relaxed in its crate. When leaving your puppy alone in its crate for long periods, always remember to leave him/her some of its favorite toys to play with. Toys can play a big part when crate training a puppy. Try making your puppy’s first introduction to its new crate a fun activity by placing its favorite toys in the crate.

Potty Training Made Easy With Crate Training

Always phrase your puppy when they potty outside and again when they return to their crate. Make potty training fun and rewarding, never punish your dog when he/she has an accident in their crate. Rarely will puppies intentionally soil where they sleep. If their crate isn’t too big, puppies are more receptive to going outside. Potty training while crate training a puppy may be challenging at times, but can be highly rewarding and well worth the effort in the end.

Crate training a puppy in a fun environment makes life easier for everyone evolved. While crate training a puppy is not difficult, you’ll need to be persistent. Puppies may resist crate training and their crate at first, but it will be worth it in the end. Crate training a puppy is a must for the development of your dog’s social and behavioral skills.

For more free information on crate training a puppy visit Dermot’s website http://TrainingAndHealthForDogs.com where you can get access to more dog training and dog health articles.

Another reason for crate training is that dogs love predictability. To know what
is going to happen in any given situation makes him happy, and more apt to be
the best-behaved dog he can possibly be.

A strong crate is the very basis of good puppy training. A wire crate with a
lock is the best kind. Make sure it is large enough for him to stand up and turn
around. But not so large that he can roam and wander around. A too-large crate
will inhibit house breaking.

A crate that is just the right size will be perceived as his “nest”, where
puppies never “go potty”. They will learn to hold it if you don’t make a prison
out of it. Never leave a puppy under 8 weeks longer than one hour in his crate.
He will soil it, after struggling and suffering as long as he can.

Put a nice pad in there with a bone. Start with placing a tasty treat in there,
he will go in and get it. Do this several times without closing the door, let
him come in and out freely for an hour or so. Praise him highly each time he
goes in, make it all very pleasant.

Then when his attention is on his treat, close the door. Praise him quietly,
“What a good boy, it’s ok, such a good boy!” In 10 or 20 seconds, no longer, let
him out without a word, no praise, just a pat. Do this for increasingly longer
intervals, but do not give him a chance to get upset. You can do this several
times the first day.

Make sure every training session ends on a happy note, this is crucial.

Once he sees the crate is his own private territory, he will go in there on his
own, expecting treats and your attention. When he does, say, “Wanna crate?” with
a happy face while getting his treats. Start leaving the room while he is in
there for 2 minutes and onward, gradually. When you return, don’t make a fuss,
just walk over and open the crate. In 3 days he will be officially
crate-trained, ready to be left alone for an hour, no longer at first. Leave him
gradually longer, slowly and carefully.

Q. Why do I want a crate for my puppy? A. Because they love it is the best
reason. They feel very safe and secure in there. Here are some more:
When you leave a puppy alone, he always has some measure of separation
anxiety. This leads him to any behavior that brings him comfort, which is
chewing, digging, or when it is severe, voiding his bowels.
When placed in a crate, he feels safe because nothing can get to him, nothing
can harm him. He will sleep and chew and wait for you to return.
When leaving him overnight at the vet, if your dog is not crate trained he
will cry the entire time, feeling lost and abandoned. With crate training, he is
sure you will return, you always do. Of course the vet’s office is strange and
will cause him some anxiety, but nothing like the pure terror he will feel
without experience in being locked in.

NOTE: About crate-training, do not make a prison of his crate. Do not use it as
punishment. Do not leave him there for more than 2 hours, just time for a long
puppy nap and some chew time. After that he will cry. Do not remove him while he
is crying. This will make him think he has to cry to get out. No matter what,
make sure he is being good when you open the door. He will learn he has to be
quiet to get out. Do not make a fuss when you are letting him out, just quietly
open the door and take him out to potty. When he potties, praise him to high
heaven! Dogs naturally do not go where they nest, but sometimes it happens. Do
not scold, just clean it out with a bland face. He will learn the lesson. If
possible, try to clean it while he is outside so he returns to a clean crate.

In 25 years of training dogs, I have never seen any one thing more critical
for a dog’s well-being than good crate training.

Dy Witt has shown, bred and trained standard poodles for 25 years. For more info on her training methods, visit DogTraining15MinsADay.com

Crate training your puppy helps you with house training and housebreaking because dogs will not “mess” in their den unless there is simply no where else to go. Crate training also helps establish
you as the “alpha” dog which, in turn, helps you train your puppy.

There are two steps in crate training.

1. Select A Crate

A crate is simply a confined area. A box isn’t good because your puppy can not see what is going on around him/her. A wire crate is best because your puppy can see, smell, and hear what is going on around him/her and adjust to you and your family. Also, the crate needs to have a lock.

You need to select a crate that is not too small or too large. A crate is too small if your puppy cannot stand up and turn around in it. A crate is too big if your puppy can roam around in it. If the crate is too big, your puppy will pick a corner in which to “mess” and sleep in another corner. This will make house training and housebreaking difficult. Ideally, the crate needs to be big enough for your puppy to stand up in and stretch, but not big enough for your puppy to move
around in very much.

You need to furnish the crate with a soft place for your puppy to lay down. Put some water and play toys in it.

2. Crate Training

At first, put a dog treat in the crate and encourage your puppy to go into the crate. Keep your puppy in the crate for only a few minutes (5 to 10 minutes) and then let him/her out. Do not make a fuss about either putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate. Each time make the time in the crate a little longer. Your puppy needs to slowly adjust to being in the crate. Eventually, your puppy will be able to stay in the crate when you are not home and at night. But, remember that a puppy needs to go to “go to the bathroom” fairly often, so keep this in mind. Do not keep your puppy in a crate all day. Give your puppy time to exercise and to “go to the bathroom” outside.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do place the crate where your puppy can be a member of the family - where your puppy can see, smell and hear you and your family.

Do not make the crate a prison for your puppy or use it for punishment.

Do let your puppy out if it is obvious that your puppy needs to “go to the bathroom”, but do not let your puppy out just because he/she is barking or fussing just to get out. Let your puppy out when he/she is being good. Otherwise, your puppy may think that he/she needs to bark or fuss in order to get out of the crate.

Do not make a fuss about putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate.

In summary, crate training your puppy is easy. Select the proper crate and train your puppy. Crate training will be a benefit to both you and your puppy.

Find out about the advantages of crate training your puppy and how to quickly solve a behavior problem that your puppy has by Clicking Here. You may reprint this article, but you must leave all links active. Copyright 2007 www.HowToObedienceTrainDog.com.

INTRODUCE YOUR PUPPY TO THE CRATE

Introduce your puppy from the start to his new “home”. Almost without trying he will train himself to seek security and comfort inside his little “dog room”. Encourage your puppy to go into his home on his own. If necessary, toss a little treat in the home. DON’T FORCE HIM! He may quickly back out or be shy, but that is normal. Just take it slowly. At first don’t close the door on him, let him go in and out on his own. Once he is happy and unafraid of his new home, simply restrain him at the door with your hand. Make him stay in the home for a few minutes, then gradually increase the time and be sure to praise him! Once he is comfortable with this (probably a few hours or days of short training sessions), simply restrain him at the door with the door–again giving him a lot of praise. Soon he will be secure in his home with the door closed. Slowly you can get further and further away from him, always praising his accepting behavior. Eventually the puppy will sit quietly and sleep in his home with the door closed. Sometimes it is helpful to have his favorite toy or special pillow/blanket in with him.

NOTE: When selecting a crate, be sure to select a crate that will grow with your puppy. You can purchase divider panels if your puppy will grow to be a large adult. This way your puppy can feel safe and secure in one part of the crate and not eliminate in his area.

POTTY BREAKS

Understand that little puppies need to “go” about every 2-4 hours. On a schedule (such as after feeding, before bedtime, first thing in the morning) let your puppy out, teach him the way to the door, praise him at the door, and take him out to the part of the yard you want him to use. Very quickly, you are teaching him an elimination schedule that will stay with him for the rest of his life.

As your puppy gets older (4-6 months) you can gradually leave him in his home for longer periods of time because he can “hold it” longer. Sooner he can be home in his home all day, if necessary, until someone arrives to let him out.

Jenny Saylor is the owner of CratesPlus.com , specializing in quality
dog crates, pet carriers, accessories, and more.

What You Should Know About Crate Dog Training

Crate training is a well-known method of training a dog to be left alone, as well as to housebreak them, too. It is a fact that all dogs will not soil their bed if they can help it and so that is why it makes an excellent method of housebreaking a puppy.

Dog crates come in a number of different sizes, so it is vital to get one that is big enough to fit your dog. Even if your puppy is quite small, it would still be a good idea to buy a crate that will fit the dog until it becomes fully grown. This way you will save money as you will not have to go out and purchase another crate later on.

The good news is that crates are not only good to train puppies, but they are also great for an adult dog too. Older dogs enjoy going into their crates sometimes as it provides them with a safe haven to rest and have their own space.

You can also use the crate for basic obedience or whenever your dog is a little too much to handle, just place him in there for a little while. Now it is important not to shut him away for hours on end. A crate should only be used when needed and should never be used to cage a dog in there for extended periods of time. This is especially true when house training puppies to not mess up the floor and home.

As mentioned earlier, dogs will never make a mess of their bed unless they have to. So it is important when you keep a puppy in the crate overnight, that you let it out frequently. Puppies cannot hold on all night and you may need to wake up every few hours to let them out of the crate.

As also mentioned earlier, a crate should only be used when needed and leaving a dog inside for too long may elevate their stress level. I highly recommend that you only use it for a few hours. But if the crate is large and roomy enough, it can be left overnight.

A dog crate is an excellent tool for separation of anxiety, as many dogs will ruin furniture and make a big mess when left alone. As you can see, a crate has many uses and can be an excellent piece of equipment to have for any dog or puppy owner. Tip: a plastic crate is highly recommended by most animal experts.

When deciding on buying a crate, treat it like a dog’s master bedroom and be sure that his crate is big enough, comfortable and sturdy. Trust me, you will yield greater results with your dog loving you for it!

Jeremy C.W is an expert author on dogs and puppies. Visit dognpuppies.com for more articles, dog videos and useful resources on crate dog training.

Each type of unacceptable behavior requires its own specific cures, and in most cases the cures will need to be tailored to fit the specific personality of the dog. Every breed of dog has its own unique personality characteristics, and every individual within that breed has his or her own unique personality.

Whining, howling and excessive barking
Let’s start with one of the most frequently encountered problem behaviors in both dogs and puppies. While some barking and other vocalizing is perfectly normal, in many cases barking, howling and whining can become problematic. This is particularly important for those living in apartment buildings, or in closely spaced homes. Fielding complaints about barking is not the best way for you and your dog to meet the neighbors.

Some tips of dealing with excessive whining, barking and howling include:

? If your puppy or dog is howling or whining while confined to its crate, immediately take it to its toilet area. Most puppies and dogs will whine when they need to do their business.

? It is important to teach a dog or a puppy to accept being alone. Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety, and these stressed dogs can exhibit all sorts of destructive and annoying behaviors. It is important to accustom the puppy to being left on its own, even when the owner is at home.

? Always strive to make the puppy or dog as comfortable as possible. Always attend to the physical and psychological needs of the dog by providing food, water and toys.
? If the dog is whining, check for obvious reasons first. Is the water dish empty? Is the dog showing signs of illness? Has his or her favorite toy rolled under the furniture? Is the temperature of the room too hot or too cold?

? Do not reward the puppy or dog for whining. If the dog whines when left alone, for instance, it would be a mistake to go to the dog every time it whines.

? After you have ensured that the dog’s physical needs are being met, and that discomfort is not responsible for the whining, do not hesitate to reprimand the dog for inappropriate behavior.

Problem Chewing
Puppies naturally chew, and they tend to explore their world using their mouths and teeth. While chewing may be normal, however, it is not acceptable, and it is important to nip any chewing problems in the bud to prevent the chewing puppy from growing into a chewing dog.

Providing a variety of chew toys is important when teaching a puppy what is appropriate to chew and what is not. Providing a variety of attractive chew toys is a good way to keep the puppy entertained and to keep his teeth and gums exercised. Scented or flavored toys are great choices for most puppies.

The puppy should be encouraged to play with these chosen toys, and the puppy should be effusively praised every time he or she plays with or chews these toys.

Another great strategy is to encourage the puppy to get a toy every time he or she greets you. Every time the puppy greets you or a member of your family, teach him to get one of his toys.

It is also important to exercise good housekeeping techniques when training a puppy not to chew on inappropriate items. Keeping the area to which the puppy has access free and clean is important. Keeping items out of reach of the puppy will go a long way toward discouraging inappropriate chewing. Try to keep the puppy’s area free of shoes, trash, and other items, and always make sure that the area has been properly puppy proofed.

If the puppy does pick up an inappropriate item like a shoe, distract the puppy and quickly replace the item with one of its toys. After the puppy has taken the toy, praise it for playing with and chewing that toy.

Try booby trapping items the dog should avoid by spraying them with bitter apple, Tabasco sauce or other nasty but non-toxic items.