Dog Training

Puppy Crate Training

The crate you use for your puppy crate training should be an inviting and a comfortable place your puppy will want to go. It is best to put a soft towel in the bottom so that the puppy associates the crate as a good place. To get the puppy to go into the crate luring tactics and positive praise is essential. Put a treat (lure) inside the crate and use the same reinforcement phrase such as ‘on your bed’ each time, the puppy will soon begin to associate the phrase as a ‘trigger’ that a treat will be waiting if he goes inside the crate. If you leave the door open the puppy can wander in and out as it pleases, repeat putting treats inside as a lure, along with your chosen association phrase and soon your puppy will go in and out quite happily.
During the puppy crate training you should regulate the amount of time the puppy spends in the crate, with the exception of during the night to sleep, do not keep the puppy in its crate for longer than four hours at a time because your puppy has to learn bladder control.
As dogs, puppies, are pack animals they like to near their pack, which is you, so you should place the crate in the corner of the room you use most yourself so that the puppy can both see and hear you. Place the crate away from draughts and too much heat.
For crates to be effect and a pleasant place for your puppy, it is recommended that you use the crate as the puppy’s only bed, otherwise he will become confused and may well take preference to a his bed rather than the crate and all your hard work will be futile.

The crate can also be used as an aid to toilet training, soiling the sleep area is not something that most puppies do, following visits outside it should be possible for the puppy to spend a reasonable time in the crate unsupervised. This should allow the puppy to associate the crate with sleep and outside for the toilet

Correct puppy crate training can help with the dog accepting that it will not be left on its own and that you will return. This can also help as the animal grows and starts to seek more attention, the correct training will temper its behaviour

Technorati Tags: Puppy Crate Training

© 2008 Dog Training Accessories.