Best Way to Crate Train a Puppy
There is nothing more joyful, to me anyway, then bringing home a new puppy. I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not have a dog. However, I do remember a time when I would absolutely refuse to put my cute little puppy in a crate. Thank goodness those days are behind me and I came to my senses.
The best thing you could possibly do for that new puppy of yours as far as housebreaking them is to use a crate. So you are probably wondering what is the best way to crate train a puppy?
The first thing obviously in order to crate train your puppy you are going to need a crate. If your puppy has quite a bit of growing to do I would purchase a crate big enough for when he is full grown.
Block off part of the crate if necessary giving your puppy just the right amount of space. Now you are ready to learn the best way to crate train a puppy.
When puppies are young they need to go out a lot since they are not physically capable of holding it for a long time. They also at this young age like to sleep a lot.
So keeping in mind those two factors the best way to crate train a puppy is to treat his crate as his little home. Make the crate a good thing.
At first I would not put in too many blankets as there will be accidents and the blankets will absorb the urine. The theory behind the crate is that the puppy does not like to lay in their own mess so by having an accident in the crate they will actually learn to hold it.
What you have to remember when you are training your puppy is that you need to have a routine. First thing in the morning take your puppy out of the crate and outside. I have found at this stage they are small enough to carry and I found this to save on little accidents trying to get outside.
Once outside it should not take too much time before your puppy goes. Now this is key – when your puppy goes Praise! Praise! Praise! They need to know they have done good.
Give your puppy some out time and then bring him back in for his morning meal.
After feeding wait about 15 to 20 minutes and then take your puppy out again to relieve himself. Some puppies will go right away, others will take their time. As you get used to your puppy you will know when after feeding they will have to go out.
Make sure you keep to a routine. If you know you are going out and your puppy is going to be in his crate make sure to exercise him before you go out. Tired puppies are less likely to be barking and whining.
Never use the crate as punishment! The crate is his safe haven.
So to summarize as to the best way to crate train a puppy I would say be consistent, make sure your puppy get lots of exercise and never use the crate as a tool for punishment.
