How to successfully crate-train your puppy?

how to crate-train a dog

One of the smartest choices you can make as a dog owner is to train your puppy to be relaxed and content with spending the night in their crate.

Crate-training provides your dog with a nice, relaxing place to sleep (up to 20 hours per day!) while giving you peace of mind that your puppy is healthy and will not get into trouble.

Begin by selecting a crate that is suitable for your puppy’s breed size. Crates in supermarkets should be numbered depending on the dog’s weight in pounds, so find a crate that would be large enough for your puppy until they have finished growing.

When you start crate training, you must stick to it and be compliant with it. Nothing confuses a dog more than being placed in their crate to sleep for the night, only to be removed to sleep with you before being returned to their crate.

Puppies will normally cry for a few minutes before settling down, so fight the temptation to take them out to encourage them to get used to the crate.

Allow easy access to the crate and stop using it as a punishment for your puppy.

To make the crate a comfortable place for your puppy to sleep or rest, place a toy or reward inside to establish a good relationship between your puppy and the crate.

To reduce the likelihood of your dog doing their business on the floor or in the crate when house-training and crate-training, quickly take your puppy outside to “go potty” after sitting in their crate.

Allow your dog to go outside at least every few hours to relieve himself, and stop leaving him in the crate for extended periods of time