A Primer for Crate Training Your Puppy
There is a misconception that crate training a dog is sentencing him or her to live their life in a cage. That just in not true. Dogs have a natural desire for a safe “den” space. Most people who crate train their dogs are pleasantly surprised to find that their pet will, after some training, actually choose to enter the crate on their own. Many actually seem to like the crate and view it as a place to get some time to themselves. People wondering how to crate train a dog must realize that it is a process that must start on the first day the puppy is home. It should not be the sole focus, but starting early and remaining consistent is important. Your puppy’s first day in its new home should be spent getting plenty of love and attention from his or her new family. After spending the day getting used to all of the new sights and smells, a puppy should be ready to be introduced to the kennel or crate where it will be spending the evening hours.
It is natural for a new puppy to be a bit confused by what is going on when it first comes to a new home. Everything has changed. Mom and the other puppies are not around. It is important to introduce the puppy to what is expected at this point however. You want your new dog to feel comfortable and not any more stressed out than it naturally would be by the new surroundings. When it is feeding time, gently lead him into his crate and let him eat inside of it. Be lush with your praise every time something is done the way you would like it to be. Decide among family members what command will signal your new pup to go to its crate. Some people simply say “Crate!”, other prefer “Go Kennel.” Whatever you choose, it should be simple and easy to understand.
Once you have introduced your dog to its new home, you can start thinking about issues like how to stop puppy biting and other little challenges! As a starting point however, remember to be consistent and considerate as you teach your new puppy about the behavior you expect from it.
