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An Introduction To Puppy Crate Training

One of the most common issues with dog owners is puppy crate training. Don’t feel horrible if this is you, take some credit for moving in the proper direction.   Some dog owners just feel that it is something that they have to live with, having a new puppy, and the dog will eventually “grow” out of it. I think, this is lazy behavior! If you are to take on owning a dog, then you have to educate yourself on the exact ways to care for it!

In today’s environment, especially with the internet, there are too many opportunities for you to acquire the knowledge of the exact ways to take care of your brand new puppy. Let’s try and move on in the right direction now. You might not do all things correct, but what is most important is that you are moving in the right direction. Remember when learning any new way, remaining calm is key when adding a new addition to your household.

Now, let’s get started with some basics of puppy crate training. We will start with why you should use a crate to house break your puppy. Dogs are canines like wolves and in nature rely on a den to raise their puppies. Feeling safe and protected in a den is from spending the first part of their lives raised this way. When canines grow up a little they choose a cave or tree stump to get some rest as opposed to being out in the open and exposed to predators.   Whether this be a cave or a whole in the bottom of a tree, it provides protection and security.

Not to use the den as a bathroom is the dogs natural instinct. When puppy potty training, we can use this behavior alone to our advantage. If you are 1 of the people who feel awful about placing your dog in a kennel, you are in fact going with mother nature in giving a protected den.  Puppy crate training is a safe humane way to house train your puppy quickly and effectively.

Suggested Items To Get For Puppy Crate Training

Now that you have your crate, the other things that I would recommend to get before you start your puppy crate training are some toys, a mat for the bottom of the crate, an odor neutralizer (available at most pet stores) and some puppy treats. You want to get some safe toys to put in the crate with your puppy so that the puppy feels more comfortable in the crate. You should never confine your puppy to the crate if it was bad because you want it to delight in being in there.

Toys in the crate should be screened to only very safe toys that your puppies will not splinter apart or swallow. A lot of the dog toys sold in the stores are fine such as the rubbery ones or bones that are hard pressed and won’t splinter. Don’t utilize stuffed animals, or plastic toys that squeak! These tear apart very easy and are a problem if your puppy chokes on them. A way to keep your puppy pre-occupied is to get a puppy toy that is made to place treats on the inside so that your puppy has to figure out how to get them out. This will help your puppy adjust to the new crate and help to keep them quiet in the beginning stages of puppy crate training.

Getting a soft mat for the crate floor is to add some comfort to the stiff floor of the crate for your puppy to rest on. You should get something that is simple to disinfect, but not something that your pup will break apart.

The odor eraser is used to clean the area of the mess should your pup have an accident. You could use this to productively clean the are of your carpet or floor that was soiled. This will remove the odor from the urine or feces so the puppy will not be attracted back to use that area again. Most common cleaners do have ammonia in them, and this isn’t great for cleaning up pee which could very well draw your puppies over to the same place.

You can utilize an array of different stuff as rewards for your pups. Most store bought treats are great and will be fine, however with organic becoming more common, I recommend going that route. Especially in your puppy’s extensive growth stage, it is just more healthy. You want to start your puppy crate training by tossing a few treats in the cage and giving your puppy a command such as “Crate” or “Kennel” as it goes in after the treats. This will attract your puppies to go in the kennel and look forward to their treats. Your puppy will begin to get excited about going in it’s crate because it will soon realize that going in the crate means “treats”.

If you use a phrase or word that means go inside the crate to your puppies, then before long they will know what you want them to do. If you use a phrase or word that means go inside the crate to your puppies, then before long they will know what you want them to do. When it’s time for your puppies to go in their crates, you can say the magic word that you have selected and they will enter on their own and wait for some puppy treats.