After reading this you should know how do you properly crate train your puppy? Proper crate training begins and ends with proper procedures that need to follow. While every canine reacts differently to crate training, your patience will take you further than you know while training your puppy.
Crate training is very important and we will focus on the three most important:
- Housebreaking process is much smoother by teaching your puppy where and when to use the restroom.
- The puppy will have less stress while you are away
- Gives you peace of mind that your puppy is safe along with your belongings (no chewing)
There is no magic way to house break your puppy. The smoothest way to house break your puppy is by using their natural instincts, in general dogs do not like to relieve themselves where they sleep. So we use this understanding to our advantage while following a few rules so ensure our success at house breaking your puppy.
The Rules:
Use a daily schedule, if you are not watching your puppy 100% keep them in their crate.
- 7:00 AM Take puppy outside on a leash and tell them to “Go potty.” Bring the puppy in, put food and water down for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes the food and water are taken away, no matter what.
- 7:30 AM Take the puppy outside again.
- 8:00 AM Take the puppy outside again.
- 9:00 AM Leave for work with your puppy in their crate. Leave no food or water in crate while away
- Come home from work and take your puppy outside and follow the same schedule as above.
- Never feed puppy after 6:30 PM.
- Take puppy outside every 20 – 30 minutes while home.
- Remember: Food + Water = GOT TO GO!
Know the times your puppy needs to go outside.
- 20 to 30 minutes after feeding
- As soon as the puppy wakes up, even a small nap
- After 20 to 30 minutes of play time
- Remember activity stimulates going to the bathroom
- When sniffing and walking in cicrles
If your puppy has an accident in the house it is your own fault as you were not doing your part in the training process. DO NOT discipline your puppy for your mistakes
Take your puppy to the same spot every time you go outside. He will smell himself and know it is okay to go. This also helps you later on the adult version of your puppy will continue to go to that one place, rather than all over your yard, making clean up a lot easier on you.
Keep your puppies crate in a heavy traffic portion of your home. At night keep your puppy in your room next to your bed. Remember canines love packs, so your puppy wants to be part of your family pack.
Remove any type of collar or harness while your puppy is crated for safety reasons.
The crate should never be used as a timeout, this is their room and should always be a happy safe place for your puppy.
When you first crate your puppy more than likely it will cry, and bark in the hopes of you getting them out. Don’t do it! If you go to comfort him, all you are doing is showing your puppy every time they make a noise they will get attention, and the sleepless nights begin. All of this behavior will go away in a few days once they becomes more comfortable with their crate, this is typical behavior.
When home with the puppy you should still crate him. Create a schedule of one hour in and one hour out so he sees the crate as a positive place. you do not want him to think the crate is a place where they goes when you are not at home. As the dog gets older they can have more time outside of the crate. Most people make the mistake of leaving a puppy out of the crate too soon. Remember most dogs are not developed completely to hold themselves until they are 6 months of age.
For more information on crate training and private dog training, Contact us today.
