Crate training your puppy can be beneficial; it gives your puppy a safe place to relax. It is also helpful if your puppy is used to being in a crate for long journeys, vet stays, or evacuation emergencies. Crate training can also help in potty training your puppy. There are some things to know before attempting crate training for potty training your puppy, and this article will highlight some.
The Size Of The Crate
Choosing the right size crate for your puppy is essential. Your puppy should be able to stand up, turn around, and stretch out in the crate.
Your puppy won’t be comfortable in it if it’s too small. If it’s too large, your puppy may choose to toilet in it, making toilet training more difficult.
Designated Location Of The Crate
Having the crate in a bustling area of your home may be too distracting for your puppy to relax. However, having it too far from daily life in your home may be too isolating for your puppy to relax. Choose somewhere the puppy can observe or hear but won’t be too distracted.
Comfort Level Of The Crate
If the crate isn’t comfortable, your puppy won’t want to spend time in it. A crate bed or blanket will make it more cosy. A chew toy or a long-lasting chew will make the crate more appealing. Draping a blanket over the crate will create a den effect for your puppy, blocking any drafts and noise. Just make sure that the crate doesn’t get too hot.
Don’t Rush Your Puppy
When introducing your puppy to its crate, it’s important not to rush it into the crate. You want your puppy to associate the crate with positive experiences. Allow your puppy to investigate the crate, sniff around it and explore it. Let your puppy go into the crate in its own time. Have the crate door securely held open; you don’t want the door to close accidentally.
Have some tasty treats handy (or a portion of your puppy’s daily kibble allowance). Put a few inside the crate to entice your puppy. You may need to lure your puppy by placing a trail from the entrance to the inside of the crate. When your puppy is in the crate, gently praise and drop a treat into the crate from the top – you want the puppy to associate the crate with the reward, not you.
Don’t Close The Crate Door Too Soon
Wait until your puppy happily spends time in the crate before closing the door. But don’t secure the door yet; close it over. Your puppy should still be able to leave the crate if it wants to. You will repeat this process several times over several days.
Once your puppy is happy in the crate with the door closed, you can start to secure it. Only secure the door for a minute or so, then open it so your puppy can leave if it wants to. Repeat this process a few times throughout the day.
Gradually build up the time that the door is securely closed. Do not leave your puppy at this stage. Stay in the room and ensure your puppy is happy in the crate with the secure door.
When you’re not crate training your puppy, the crate door should be securely open so your puppy can come and go as it pleases.
The Crate Is Not Punishment
Never use the crate as a punishment for your puppy. If the crate is used as a punishment, it will undo all the positive work you have done with your puppy. If you see your puppy getting stressed or upset in the crate, let your puppy out.
Puppies have little control over their toileting functions, so you should not leave your puppy in the crate too long. Make sure that you give your puppy enough toilet breaks throughout the day.
Have A Good Routine
Puppies thrive on routine. Ensure that food, toilet breaks, exercise, and rest are incorporated into a routine that you can stick to. Another essential element to include is plenty of outside breaks for toileting. Young puppies don’t have much control over their bladder, bowels or the muscles that control them and will require multiple trips outside to their designated toileting area.
You will have a good idea when they need to go outside by providing their meals at set times. A routine should consider your lifestyle as well as the needs of the puppy. If you cannot take your puppy out at certain times during the day, arrange for someone else to do it.
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