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| Crate Training Your Puppy: 15 Terrific Tips
Your new puppy will be arriving tomorrow. You’ve heard a lot about crate training, but aren’t quite sure how to go about it. Here are 15 tips to help you crate train your puppy successfully.
1. When you go to purchase a crate, make sure it will be big enough for your puppy to stand and turn around in when he is fully grown. There should also be lots of room for him to lie down and get comfortable when he is a grown dog.
2. Take a blanket with you when you go to pick up your puppy. Ask the breeder if he will rub it over the puppy’s mother. This will comfort your puppy when he’s introduced to his new crate. The blanket should remain in the crate at all times until your puppy has successfully adopted it as his den.
3. Place a few toys in the back of the crate for your puppy to play with, along with a couple of his favorite treats.
4. Place your puppy’s crate in a room where he will be part of the family. Crates should be placed away from traffic areas, but where your puppy can see the rest of his pack.
5. Leave the door of the crate open and let your puppy enter and exit at will. This will become his den and the place where he’ll go when he needs comfort, is tired or wants to be by himself.
6. Provide your puppy with a source of water if you leave him in the crate for extended periods of time.
7. Always remove your puppy’s collar before locking him in his crate.
8. Never punish your puppy by putting him in his crate. You want him to have a pleasant experience, not learn to fear it.
9. Teach your puppy to enter his crate on command. The command should be “in” or “crate.” Soon he will learn your body language and will automatically enter his crate when he knows you are preparing to leave.
10. Practice crate training with your puppy several times a day for the first few weeks. Leave the house for short periods of time, lengthening each time. Your puppy will soon learn that you always return. This will lessen separation anxiety.
11. Never leave toys or other objects in your puppy’s crate that can be shredded. A great toy for the crate is a Gong, which can be stuffed with peanut butter or milk bone. This will keep your puppy busy while you’re away. Another toy that is safe for the crate is a Nylabone.
12. When you arrive home, don’t go directly to the crate if your puppy barks, whines or cries. Wait until he calms down, release him, put him on his leash and take him to his elimination spot.
13. Don’t fuss over your puppy before you leave the house. Give the command for him to enter the crate, shut the door and leave. If you fuss, so will your puppy. This is not the time for long and emotional goodbyes.
14. Soon, your puppy will enter and exit the crate without fuss. When he does, say “good boy,” and give him a pat. That is all the praise he needs for encouragement.
15. Never yell, shout or put your puppy in his crate when you are annoyed or upset with him. This will only upset him and all crate training will regress back to the beginning and you will have to start again.
Follow the tips in this article for a positive and successful crate training experience for both you and your puppy. A happy puppy will grow into a well adjusted adult and a loving and faithful companion.
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