How To Crate Train A Puppy – Crate Training 101

Crate training dogs is the use of a crate to train your dog to have proper manners such as no chewing, staying off the furniture, being calm in the house, and a whole host of other behaviours including house training. This section is going to focus on how to crate train a puppy and will leave the specifics of house training and house breaking to another section.

Crate training dogs is the use of a crate to train your dog to have proper manners

How To Crate Train A Puppy – Let’s first talk about the crate

Let’s first talk about the crate, then next we’ll look at how to crate train your puppy. This area is one where you often hear protests from many people. Their argument is that the crate is cruel. That it is inhumane to leave a dog in such a small area for any given amount of time, that crate training your dog is stifling and not right. You would often hear, “How would you like it if someone left you in a crate?” A natural response would always be, “I would hate it!! Yes people would also hate to eat dog food, walk on a leash, and be completely covered in fur in the summer time. There are plenty of things you would hate about being a dog!”

You would understand why many protest the use of a crate because they themselves wouldn’t like it. What everyone needs to remember is people aren’t dogs (Might seems pretty self-explanatory). What may be uncomfortable and horrible for you might just be completely natural and enjoyable to your canine partner. Crate training your puppy is not only humane but it is also kind to your canine companion.

In fact, used properly, a crate will often become a very enjoyable part of your puppy’s day

How To Crate Train A Puppy – Dogs have carried over from their ancient ancestors the instinct to use a den for comfort and security. If you can harness this instinct you will not only add a wonderful tool to teach manners in the home, but will also give your dog a place to go when feeling stressed or tired. That’s right, if you train your dog correctly with the crate, he will likely end up loving the time he spends in there.

The idea behind crate training your puppy is that a puppy has a special association toward his den or crate. His crate is a place where he feels comfortable and safe so it is a place where he won’t go to the bathroom or display other bad behaviors. Because he will behave in his crate, the crate becomes a means of supervising your puppy. You know that when you aren’t around, but he is in his crate, that your house will be safe and sound. It is this association that makes crate training your dog possible.

Crate training your puppy depends on the proper equipment. The first step is to pick out the right crate for your puppy. There are two basic styles of crate.

1. The all wire crate. This crate is wire on all sides so has a very open feel. Your dog can see out in all directions and it allows for good ventilation. It is also a bit more aesthetically pleasing than the other style of crate. It is also the crate that I recommend the least. Some dogs, in the beginning stages of crate and house training, are able to urinate out of the side of a wire crate such that they don’t have to stand in it. This obviously defeats the purpose of the crate. The wire crate also does not give the same ‘den’ feel as the other style of crate.
2. The plastic crate. If you examine the dens use by the canine family in the wild you will notice a few distinguishing features. These wild dens are enclosed on three sides, are tight and snug, and have one entrance. This is a security feature. The animal inside is able to feel comfortable in the snug area and is able to see out of the only entry/exit to see if there are intruders or other threats. In the wild, the small size also helps to utilize body warmth. The plastic crate best simulates this feeling for your dog. It is enclosed on three sides, normally with some sort of window or ventilation on each of those sides. The front is a wire door that allows for ventilation and for your dog to see out.

Things to keep in mind – Whichever crate style you go with there are a few things to keep in mind when situating the crate.

1. First of all choose the correct size of crate. The correct size is when your dog can stand up in the crate, turn around comfortably, and lie down comfortably.
2. Situate your crate in an area of your house that is relatively calm and free from too much foot traffic or noises, but also in an area that is close to the family so your dog can feel involved and not isolated.
3. Keep the crate clean. Use a pet safe cleaner to clean it on a regular basis.

How To Crate Train A Puppy – Once you have the correct crate in the correct place it is time to start your training. Crate training your dog is made a bit more difficult if your dog is a puppy. If you have a puppy younger than 12 weeks of age you will only be able to keep her in the crate for 30 minutes to an hour at a time before puppy will need to go out to the bathroom. Crate training your dog that is mature is much easier. Dogs that are older will be able to ‘hold it’ for much longer. While it is not ideal to keep a dog in a crate for longer than 2 hours at a time, many owners find it necessary to crate the dog for longer times in the initial stages of crate training (never longer than 3 hours).

Like I say, this is not ideal, and if you have any way to avoid such a long stay in the crate, use it. If you do it properly, your dog eventually won’t have to spend much time, if any time at all, in the crate. If your dog were properly crate trained and you will be in a situation to leave them for long periods of time outside the crate and come home to the house just as you left it. The time will come where you get stuck out of town one day, and the dog will be fine when we returned. Crate training your dog is a wonderful tool to have the perfect indoor house mate.

How To Crate Train A Puppy – Start out by placing your puppy in the crate. If he is a little reticent to enter, guide him in by pulling his collar into the crate. The most important thing if your puppy is resisting is to not let him win. If he puts up a fight getting into the crate and you give in, he is going to know that any time he doesn’t want to get in the crate, all he has to do is throw a tantrum and you won’t make him get in. Make sure that you always win. This goes for all puppy training principles but is very important in crate training.

Some puppies will take immediately to the crate and will be able to spend hours at a time in there from the get go. Others will put up a fight by whining or barking while in the crate.

If this happens, DON’T let him out of the crate at the time.

Try to wait out the barking and whining. How To Crate Train A Puppy – Show him that barking and whining isn’t his ticket out. If the barking and whining persists for a long time use a spray bottle to squirt him every time he makes noise. This should make barking an uncomfortable and unpleasant behavior. Although this sounds very harsh, in nature rain would cause much greater discomfort, so a little water squirt will not harm him a anyway. Crate training your puppy requires patience.

Gradually get your dog to the point where he can spend several hours in the crate. Getting your dog accustomed to the crate is key to good indoor behaviour.

At this point I am not going to cover every indoor manner and behavior that can be corrected through crate training. The basic idea behind crate training dogs is that whenever you aren’t able to supervise your dog or aren’t home, the dog goes in the crate. To reiterate (this is so important, yet ignoring it is the major cause of failure in crate training) 100% of the time that your puppy is not able to be in your line of sight, she should go in the crate or in an area that you specifically prepared for your puppy. If you are making a meal and just can’t supervise her, in the crate. If you are sleeping, in the crate. If you run to the store for 5 minutes or 1 hours in the crate. You cannot cut corners when crate training your puppy.

Let’s examine quickly how crate training puppies can help curb a chewing problem. If you are constantly supervising your puppy you can see when he begins to chew on something. If you catch him in the act you can give him a correction with a jerk on a leash, or a shake of the scruff, or a squirt bottle, thereby showing him that chewing your shoes is wrong. If you put him in the crate when you aren’t around you can be 100% sure that he isn’t chewing anything. Soon, your dog will have been corrected several times for chewing and will have been prevented from chewing whenever you aren’t around. Ideally, this will change your dogs’ perception of chewing. Where once it was enjoyable, now you have both prevented it and made it unpleasant. After following this formula for a while you can now give your dog five minutes of freedom outside the crate while you aren’t home. If he does well, increase it to ten minutes. Then a half hour, then an hour, then two and so on. If he messes up go back a few steps. More on how to correct misbehavior’s.

How To Crate Train A Puppy – Now let’s examine what happens if you don’t employ the principles for crate training your dog. Perhaps you are supervising your dog while you are around so you can curb the chewing. But the second you leave the house your dog will soon learn that anything goes. He can chew and there is no one to stop him. Stopping a bad behavior while you are present is only half the equation.

The same for crate training puppies works for house training and other indoor manners. If you can properly crate train your puppy, then wean him off the use of the crate, you can have a perfect indoor puppy.

What Is Crate Training, and Why Would You Consider It?

Why should I crate train my dog?

There are several reasons why crate training your puppy is important. For starters, I believe that it is only fair to properly crate train your puppy. Dogs have a natural den instinct. They desire a place that is comfortable and secure. A crate provides this location. It is also fair to you as a dog owner. How To Crate Train A Puppy – Crate training is the best way to house train and teach your canine friend house manners.

Is crate training cruel?

This is somewhat of a trick question. How To Crate Train A Puppy – Done improperly crate training dogs is cruel. Some dog owners use the crate as a method of punishment, definitely a no-no. Others use the crate as a means of ‘doggy babysitting’ when they are too lazy or annoyed to deal with their dog. Again this is not what the crate is for.
Crate training your dog properly is not cruel. Proper crate training is humane and enjoyable for your dog. Your dog learns that he has a safe zone, or area that he can always feel comfortable and secure. As I mentioned above, dogs have a natural instinct to den. Sometimes this instinct is so overt that crate training your dog is easy, and other times you must bring that instinct out through good training. Either way, all dogs can be properly crate trained and learn to enjoy their crate.

Why does crate training your dog work?

Crate training your dog works because it provides a system for supervising your dog when you are not around. How To Crate Train A Puppy – If you are house training your dog you can leave him in a crate and know that he won’t go to the bathroom. He won’t go to the bathroom because he views the crate as his den, and dogs avoid using such locations to relieve themselves. Crates can be means to supervise your dog when you are absent to prevent other behavior problems such as chewing, separation anxiety, and getting on the furniture.

Is crate training just for puppies?

No. Even an adult dog who has never been inside a crate can quickly be crate trained.

What type of crate should I use?

There are two main varieties, the all wire crate and the plastic crate. I would recommend the plastic crate because it is enclosed and better mimics a den.

How long do I have to use the crate?

Crate training your dog can span many different lengths of time. How To Crate Train A Puppy – A crate is a dog training tool that can either be used for the life of the dog or phased out gradually. Depending on your dog and your diligence in training you could crate train your dog and then phase out the need for crate in as little as a few months. Some dog owners like to keep the crate for some maintenance training. I like to keep a crate around because my dog will often go there when he feels stressed or just wants to take a nap.

Crate Training A Dog VS Puppy – How To Crate Train A Puppy VS Dog

a. Crate Training Puppy

A Few Tips on Crate Training Puppies for the New Owner. It is a common misconception that crate training puppies is a cruel practice. This is untrue as long as the dog has adequate exercise and a chance to go outside before placing him in the crate. Also limit Crate time to a few hours (preferably for a puppy not more than an hour, and for dogs not more than 2 to 3 hours max). However you might find that when your puppy move around freely under supervision, he might spend longer times in is crate (HIS DEN).

Everyone needs a special place to call his or her own and pets are no different. Many dogs enjoy lying in a darkened area such as under a table or bed. It acts as their own private sanctuary and crates can be the perfect substitute that is beneficial to both you and your pet.
Crate training puppies is also effective for potty training and other disciplines.

How To Crate Train A Puppy – The natural instinct of a dog is to not eliminate in its personal space. By using the crate, a puppy can be taught the proper places to eliminate.

Crate training puppies can also help to control the cost of repairs due to chewing, digging and other typical destructive behaviors of an overactive young dog. Crates also help the pet become accustomed to traveling, boarding and veterinary care.

Care should be taken when crate training puppies. It is important for the puppy to have plenty of room to stand and turn around in. Unless you wish to purchase different sizes, get a crate that will accommodate your puppy’s expected adult size. When crate training puppies, the crate should be kept as a positive enjoyable retreat.

How To Crate Train A Puppy – Never use it in punishment. Remember dogs are social animals that like interaction with other members of the household. The ideal locations for crates are where the family spends time. Kitchens, dens, bedrooms, living rooms and game rooms are best. Avoid isolated areas such as the garage or laundry room.

If the family is going to be gone for an extended period of time during the day, make the puppy feel less alone by leaving a radio or television playing.

This will often calm the pet and avoid problem behaviours such as barking; chewing, and self-inflicted wounds from boredom licking.

Introduce your puppy to his or her crate as early as possible. Leaving treats, toys and food are recommended. This will often encourage your puppy to enter it on his own.

NB!! – The first crating should be after a period of play or exercise and an elimination trip outside. The puppy will be tired and more likely to take a nap.

How To Crate Train A Puppy – Encourage him to enter the crate on his own with plenty of praise and rewards. If your puppy refuses to enter, gently put him in yourself keeping your tone as quiet and calm as possible. After placing him in crate, latch the door and leave the room.

When crate training puppies vocal protest can be expected the first few times. It is important not to give in to your puppy’s wishes (obviously always play nice). Usually the barking will subside after a period of time ranging from minutes to an hour or so. If it does not, a correction may be needed. This correction does not mean removing the pet and physically punishing it.

How To Crate Train A Puppy – Remember, you do not want your puppy to associate the correction with you. Some methods that are effective are remote controls for the television or radio. When these suddenly come on without your presence, the puppy is often startled into being quiet. An aluminium can containing a few coins or a water gun used out of site with a quick squirt is often effective as well.

Start out crate training puppies in short periods of time. Never remove him or her from the crate while they are still protesting it. Increase the quiet time span and always praise the pup for good behavior.

How To Crate Train A Puppy – Eventually, the puppy will view the crate as his own personal home. A place to relax, sleep and avoid the rush of everyday living with the oddity of humans, HIS DEN.

b. Crate Training A Dog

Let’s look at some of the main Reasons for Crate Training a Dog
While most dog owners see crate training as a positive training tool, others may have reservations about crating a dog. No matter which dog camp you fall in, there definitely is a number of good reasons for you to crate train your older dog. Here are some:

• Preparedness and Safety for natural disasters and emergencies
• Easier travel and Safe transportation with your best friend
• Safer and Easier trips to the Vet
• Restriction during injury or illness recovery
• Providing a Calm and Safe place in stressful situations

Crate training a dog is in some ways easier than crate training a puppy, and in some ways its harder.

It is easier because dogs do not have the bladder control problems that puppies have (though elderly or sick dogs do have bladder control problems).

It is harder because adult dogs may have some fear of the crate as a result of bad crate training, or simply being afraid of small enclosures, or because they are skittish and afraid of all new things.

These are the basic steps of how to crate train a dog.

1) Get the crate
The crate should be big enough for the dog to turn around in and stand up in without his head touching the ceiling of the crate. Wire or plastic crates are best — canvas ones will not stand up to much wear.

2) Put the crate in the right place
The crate should be away from any electrical outlets, curtains or anything else the dog can reach. Do not put things on top of the crate, unless you drape an old blanket over the top of a wire crate to make your dog feel like it has a bit of a den. The crate should be in the kitchen, living room or in your bedroom — wherever you spend the most time.

3) Introduce the dog to the crate
Set up the crate, talk to your dog in an excited way, and then leave the dog alone to investigate the crate. Encourage the dog with praise and a treat here and there.

4) Get the dog to go into the crate for a moment
Put a treat just inside the crate door and let the dog get it. Keep putting treats into the crate, further back each time.

5) Get the dog to go all the way into the crate
Try throwing a favourite toy into the crate and see if the dog will retrieve it.

6) Close the door of the crate while your dog is inside
When your dog seems pretty comfortable going into the crate, close the door just a moment while they are inside, then open it right back up again. You are just gently swinging the door closed and open again, almost in one motion. Talk to the dog while you are doing this, and give them a lot of treats when the door is open again. This is a pretty big step. Try it again in a few minutes, extending the time the door is closed by just a few seconds each time. If your dog is anxious, this part of the training may take a week or more.

7) Work up to having the crate door closed for five minutes
If your dog gets uncomfortable at any point, do not go forward to the next step until they have relaxed. Undoing crate anxiety takes much, much, much longer than just waiting for your dog to become comfortable.

8) Do a very short chore in the kitchen with your dog in the crate
Give them their favorite toy, or a treat-filled Kong to chew on while you step a few feet away from the crate. Stay within their view. Talk to them a little, but you do not need to talk to them the whole time.

9) Step out of the room for just a second with them in the crate
Now you are introducing them to you being “gone” while they are in the crate. To a dog, “gone” is out of sight. Only be out of site for a moment.

10) Slowly increase the time you are away until you can be out of the room for 15 to 20 minutes
Again, do this slowly. It should take you at least a dozen short sessions to get up to 20 minutes. When you can be away for 20 minutes your dog is basically crate trained.

In the next section we will further explore “Crate Training An Older Dog”.

Crate Training An Older Dog

Challenges you might face when Training Older Dogs

The old saying “you can’t teach an old dog a new trick” is so untrue. Older dogs are definitely capable of learning brand new things, but teaching them can be more strenuous than crate training a young puppy! For young pup’s, all is exciting and new, and they still did not become attached to any routines. On the other hand, crate training an older dog is a little bit different, these are animals of habit, and some cases it would be necessary to steer them to unlearn some of their old habits before they will learn brand new ones. Be patient, this will take a lot of practice and repetition, but like everything else after allot of repetition your older dog will also rise to the occasion.

But on the other side, a calm and older dog might most definitely appreciate a Cozy Crate Den more than a young pup would. Choose a quiet location with low-traffic to setup the crate so that he can escape to his den when he feels like it.

Crate Training Adult Dog

These are the steps you should follow to create a positive experience around the crate for your older dog:

1. Crate Preparation. The crate you select must be large enough for the dog to comfortably stand up, lie down, and turn around inside. You can place a comfortable blanket inside to make it more attractive, and then you can leave it somewhere in a nice spot with the door open so that your dog can see it and check it out, and allow him to get familiar with it before you would begin training.
2. Prep yourself. This is where you need to seriously get rid of any negative feelings you might have around placing the dog in a crate. In general they are extremely sensitive to our reactions and emotions, and if you would be stressed in any way around the crate, your dog will be too. You need to be relaxed, calm, and in a happy place before you even start the training.
3. Prep your dog. A preventive measure and recommendation would be to give your dog some exercise that day before a training session, make sure he relieve himself to prevent any distractions and the need for the bathroom and with all the exercise he will also burn off excess energy to totally relax him now.
4. Create a positive connection. In the beginning you can start with treat and maybe his favorite toy, you can place it and leave it in the crate. When he goes close to the opening to get a treat or a toy you need to praise your dog to create that positive connection to the create.
5. Luring the dog inside. After a while he will get more comfortable when getting closer to the crate’s opening, remember you’ve placed treats and toys inside. At this stage you can now also place his water and food bowls inside the crate. First place them at the opening of the crate, and then as he gets more comfortable move the bowls deeper into the crate until he completely get into the crate on his own.
6. Now to close the door. You want to start by closing it for very short intervals, basically a few seconds and them immediately open it up again to let him out again. You want to build trust, and this exercise will show him that he can totally trust you get out again. Rinse and Repeat the process, you want him to remain calm when the crate door is shut, and then slowly increase the time over time with a second or two. He will start to himself comfortable inside the crate, now you want to leave the door closed for longer periods, but still just a few minutes at a time, and over days you can slowly increase it to 30 minutes at a time, and eventually to max an hour or 2.

Important, don’t force it, the moment your dog becomes agitated or panics, please stop, let him out, and rather take a break. Don’t stress, you will most probably have a setback and sometimes you will have to start over or maybe start from an earlier step. Eventually your dog would get to a stage where he would be willing to stay in the crate, so it’s important now to not leave him in it for more than a hour or 2 at a time. Under normal circumstances how long would he be able to hold his bladder? Senior dogs and small dogs with weak bladders should not remain crated for too long, only as long as he can normally hold his bladder.

Whether you plan to crate your dog on a regular basis or only in odd cases, crate training your older dog more regular would most definitely reinforce the training and will prepare him for those times when the crate would be necessary. With a lot of patience, the right attitude and proper quality training, a dog could experience the crate as his Den or Safe place and will even create a soothing experience for your dog.

Crate Training Puppy First Night

Bringing a new puppy home is about as exciting as it gets. Hopefully you’ve had a chance to plan ahead and have all the puppy gear you’ll need on hand. When crate training puppy first night, there’s one item that’s going to make everyone’s life a lot easier: a towel🙂

This very special towel needs to have been dropped off at the breeder’s house or the animal shelter a day or two before the day you’ll bring the puppy home. It should be put in the play area of the puppy, its litter-mates, and its mother. The idea is for the towel to get loaded up with all the familiar, reassuring smells the puppy has been surrounded with all its life so far. If you aren’t able to drop off the towel, gently rub it over the puppy’s litter-mates and its mother as much as you can. Even a little bit of smell is going to help you and the puppy tonight.

Wrapping the puppy in the towel as you drive home will also be helpful. Puppies can “leak” or urinate just a wee bit if they’re over excited, and just the car ride home – let alone the first few hours in your house – are the most excitement your puppy has ever seen.

All that excitement is going to work for you. When its time to get ready for bed, hopefully you’ll have one tired pup. Be sure to go out for one last potty break, then introduce your puppy to the pen or crate or large box you expect them to sleep in. Make sure that wonderfully smelly towel goes in with the puppy. If you have a hot water bottle to wrap the blanket up in, all the better.

Now we come to the big dilemma of how to handle your puppy’s first night: is it going to be in the kitchen, or your bedroom? Trainers who believe the kitchen is best maintain that the puppy has to grow up and get used to being on its own anyway, and coddling it the first few nights only delays this process. Other trainers believe that the puppy has already had a radical change in its environment and its social structure and that’s enough change for one day. They also reason that if we want the puppy to bond to us, keeping it close to us for the first night or two goes a long way to building that bond. They also worry that undue stress the first nights home may contribute to stress-related behaviors later, like chewing and separation anxiety.

Ultimately, of course, the kitchen-or-bedroom decision is up to you. But: once you’ve made the decision, don’t go back on it. If you opt for the kitchen (which is what I did, and later regretted it), expect to hear crying through the night. Expect to feel bad about it. The really hard part is that once the crying has started, if you go to the puppy, then you have just taught it that if it cries, you’ll come. The net result of that is going to be a lot more crying. Puppies learn fast. At least you got the smelly towel to reassure the puppy with, and that should help with the whining.

If you opt to keep the puppy in your bedroom the first night or two, you’ll still hear whining. Its OK to say a few reassuring words to the puppy, or to pet it or hold it a couple of times. Don’t let it actually sleep in the bed with you – the puppy must be confined. Some people put the box or pen next to their bed and let their hand hang over the side of the bed into the puppy pen. If you want to go that far, great. But so long as the puppy can hear you and smell you, then that’s good enough.

Unless your puppy – soon to be dog – is going to sleep in your bedroom every night, you’ll need to move them into their permanent sleeping place after the first night or two. This will result in some whining again, put you’ve given your puppy a reasonable transition time and it’s OK for them to do some whining. Just don’t come to reassure them, or you’ve re-enforced the whining. Eventually, that leads to a whiny dog.

How To Crate Train A Puppy At Night

Usually, puppies and especially big dogs feel very safe while staying inside the crate, particularly during night-time. Majority of the dog owners, prefer training their puppies on how to use the crate in very early stage, because this will help the owners to have more peace of mind. Crate training is nothing but taming the puppies to stay in their crate. Crate which is basically a movable kennel, made out of metal or plastic, and this provides a safe and small area for the puppies to move around and also to take rest. Training the puppies to stay in the crate during night time is a very big and difficult task faced by most of the dog owners. Let’s discuss some common tips on crate training your puppy at night.

The very first step is to make your puppy get adjusted and familiarize with its new dwelling place, the crate. Keep the crate at the place where you, your family and puppy spends more time. By talking and encouraging your puppy, make him move towards the crate. Arrange the crate, by placing a blanket, some toys or items that your puppy likes the most. These will attract the puppy to at least have a look on the crate and might sniff around the crate. Continue this for some days and gradually the puppy will start entering the crate automatically and will get adjusted with its new dwelling place. Make sure to keep the crate door open and this will allow your feel very comfortable.

Another important point is that, to take your puppy out for potty before taking him to bed. Be sure the puppy passes completely and then put the puppy in the crate. Most pups will start to whine and whimper. It is advisable not to remove the puppy at this time. Just turn off the light and keep ignoring the cries of the puppy. Many Dog trainers suggest that you let the crate out of your sight, and let the puppy sleep by crying himself to sleep. The reason is that if you release the puppy while it cries at night gives the puppy the idea that crying can get it released from the crate.

Give some good words of praise to the puppy for lying in the crate and being quiet. Use words of encouragement like” good boy”,” nice puppy” etc which can make the puppy happy that you are appreciating the puppy.

It is advisable not to leave solid food or water in the crate or kennel during night. If you do so, the puppy will drink and it may be difficult for the puppy to stop peeing by holding its bladder in the night.

Also, never place a dog pillow or resting bed inside the crate. The pillows and beds are soft. It is a habit of puppies to urinate on such things like beds, carpets, pillows, etc. By allowing a bed in the crate, you are actually promoting your puppy to pass it in its crate. With the coming of age, the dog will have good control over its bladder movements.

Crate Training Schedule

Please note: Important to know All dogs are different. For example, some puppies 12 weeks old will need to be treated as if they were 10 weeks old. Some dogs may never comfortably stay in their crates longer than 2 hours. Be flexible when putting together your Crate Training Schedule. These schedules are meant to be guidelines only. You know your dog and should pic up when your dog is not comfortable with the time. But also true, as mentioned before some dogs will really enjoy their DEN😊

Sample Schedule for Puppies 9-11 Weeks Old

1 hour max crate time
At this age, it is probably more feasible to keep the puppy in an exercise pen enclosure than to have a team of people visiting it every hour.

6-6:15am: First potty trip
6:15-6:30am: Puppy breakfast
6:45-7am: Second potty trip
7-8:45am: Play time
8:45-9am: Third potty trip
9-10am: Crate time
10-10:15am: Neighbour or House Help takes puppy for a potty break
10:15-11:15am: Crate time
11:15-11:45: Dog walker takes puppy for a potty break and a bit of play
11:45-12:45pm: Crate time
12:45-1pm: Owner comes home from work and takes puppy for a potty break
1-2pm: Crate time
2-2:15pm: Neighbour or House Help takes puppy for a potty break
2:15-3:15pm: Crate time
3:15-3:30pm: One of the children takes puppy for a potty break
3:30-4:30pm: Child feeds the puppy (second feeding) and takes it for walk and a bit of play
4:30-5:30pm: Crate time
5:30-7:30pm: Puppy is out playing with the family. Goes for potty breaks as necessary.
7:30pm: Puppy is fed for the 3rd time.
7:30-8pm: Potty break
8-11pm: Puppy is out playing with the family
11-11:15pm: Last potty trip. Puppy sleeps in an exercise area so everyone gets to sleep through the night.

Sample Schedule for Puppies 11-16 Weeks Old

1 hours max crate time

6-6:15am: First potty trip
6:15-6:30am: Puppy breakfast
6:45-7am: Second potty trip
7-8:45am: Play time
8:45-9am: Third potty trip
9-10am: Crate time
10-10:15am: Neighbour or House Help takes puppy for a potty break
10:15-11:15am: Crate time
11:15-1pm: Dog walker takes puppy for a potty break and a bit of play
1-2pm: Crate time
2-2:15pm: Neighbour or House Help takes puppy for a potty break
2:15-3:15pm: Crate time
3:15-3:45pm: One of the children takes puppy for a potty break
3:45-4:15pm: Child feeds the puppy (second feeding)
4:15-7:30pm: Child takes puppy for a walk and afterwards puppy is out playing with the family. Goes for potty breaks as necessary.
7:30pm: Puppy is fed for the 3rd time.
7:45-8pm: Potty break
8-11pm: Puppy is out playing with the family
11-11:15pm: Last potty trip. Puppy sleeps in an exercise area.

Sample Schedule for Puppies 4-6 Months Old

1.5 hours max crate time

6-6:15am: First potty trip
6:15-6:30am: Puppy breakfast
6:45-7:00am: Second potty trip
7-8:45am: Play time
8:45-9am: Third potty trip
9am-10:30am: Crate time
10:30-11:00am: Neighbour or House Help takes puppy for a potty break
11:00-12h30pm: Crate time
12h30-2pm: Dog walker takes puppy for a potty break and a bit of play
2-3:30pm: Crate time
3:30-4:45pm: One of the children takes puppy for a potty break and playtime
4:45-5pm: Child feeds the puppy (second feeding)
5-11pm: Child takes puppy for a walk and afterwards puppy is out playing with the family. Goes for potty breaks as necessary throughout the evening.
11-11:15pm: Last potty trip. Puppy still sleeps in an exercise pen.

Sample Schedule for Puppies 6-12 Months Old and Best for Grown Dogs

2 hours max crate time

6-6:15am: First potty trip
6:15-6:30am: Puppy breakfast
6:45-7:00am: Second potty trip
7am-7:45am: Play time
7:45-8am: Third potty trip; owner goes to work
8am-10pm: Crate time
10:00-10:30am: Neighbour or House Help takes puppy for a potty break
10:30-12h30pm: Crate time
12:30-1:45pm: Dog walker takes puppy for a potty break and a 45 minute walk
1:45-3:45pm: Crate time
3:45-4:45pm: One of the children takes puppy for a potty break and a bit of play
4:45-5pm: Child feeds the puppy (second feeding)
5-11pm: Child takes puppy for a walk and afterwards puppy is out playing with the family. Goes for potty breaks as necessary throughout the evening.
11-11:15pm: Last potty trip. Puppy still sleeps in an exercise area.

Sample Schedule for Adult, Crate Trained Dogs (Well Experienced with Crate Training)

3 hours max crate time; combine with at least one day a week at dog day-care, and 1-2 dog walker visits to break up the long confinement for at least 1-2 days. Dogs crated this long will need extra long walks.

6-6:15am: First potty trip
6:15-6:30am: breakfast
6:45-7am: Second potty trip
7am-7:45am: Play time
7:45-9am: Third potty trip; owner goes to work
9am-12pm: Crate time
12:00-12:30pm: Neighbour or House Help takes puppy for a potty break
12:30pm-3:30pm: Crate time
3:30-4:15pm: One of the children takes dog for a potty break and an extended walk
4:15-4:30pm: Child feeds the dog (second feeding)
4:30-11:30pm: Child takes dog for a walk and afterwards dog is out playing with the family. Goes for potty breaks as necessary throughout the evening.
11:45pm-12am: Last potty trip. Dog sleeps 6 hours in their crate

Crate Training A Puppy Crying

Puppy Whining In Crate

Some puppies and dogs tend to whine whenever they are placed in the crate, while others whine at night. Either way, it can be quite bothersome. Even though it’s very hard, don’t ever give in and let your puppy out while they are whining. You will have just sent them a strong message that they can control you to let them out just by whining.

Important – At the very least, wait until they’ve stopped whining, count to ten, and then let them out. Ideally, even the ten count pause should be skipped – just keep your puppy in their crate until their scheduled play, walk or eating time. Of course, that pre-planned schedule should be humane to your puppy. Remember, puppies under 16 weeks of age have limited bladder control, so if the whining is being accompanied by accidents in the crate, you need to reduce the time in the crate, and possibly move your puppy to a playpen setup, and do it fast – too many messes in the crate and your young puppy will start to think messing in the crate is OK. If that happens, you might need a professional dog trainer to successfully crate train your puppy.

Endure the Whining – It may take some time for your puppy to accept that whining doesn’t work on you anymore. Actually, for every time you give in and let your pup out when they were whining, you’re probably going to have to endure ten or more extended whining sessions that your dog will put you through before they accept that the whining command no longer works. You must steel yourself to ignore his whining, as difficult as it may be. If he is only testing you to determine if you will let him out for whining, then he will generally stop soon and you can then let him out. Do NOT yell at your puppy or bang on the crate, it will only make matters worse. Yelling and banging on the crate are abuse, and they will create way, way, more problems for you and your dog than they will ever solve, even in the short term.

Test the Waters – If your dog does not stop whining and it continues even after you have ignored him, then you should use whatever phrase you have chosen for him to associate with the need to go outside and eliminate, such as ‘potty.’ If he becomes excited, then this is a clue that he needs to go outside and you can take him. Remember that the purpose for going out is for him to eliminate and not to play. If you allow him to play, he will develop the idea that whining will grant him play time.

Over Time it will Become Less of a Problem – If you feel that your dog really does not need to eliminate, then the best tactic is to simply ignore him until he eventually stops whining. While this can be difficult, it is important not to give in and allow him to take control of the situation. As you progress through the training this will usually become less of a problem.

Does your Pup need more Exercise – If the problem does not abate, you may need to restart the training process of helping your dog become acclimated to the crate. As always, be very, very sure the dog isn’t whining because he has been in the crate too long, or because he needs to go out. Many dogs also whine simply because they aren’t getting enough exercise, and they just need to work off excess energy. If your dog is getting less than an hour a day of active walking time each day, try giving him another hour to half an hour of walking or play time and see if the whining doesn’t get better.

Remember – crate training never means leaving your puppy in their crate for extended times. Puppies are especially sensitive to this – they simply do not have the bladder control to stay in their crates for very long. Puppies less than 16 weeks old should never be kept in their crates more than an hour or two. If you have to go to work, then put the crate, with its door open, inside a puppy playpen. Put newspaper down on the floor of the playpen.

Crate training only works as a piece of a larger puzzle that includes a healthy, well-adjusted dog that gets plenty of exercise and companionship. By “healthy” I mean that your dog should be eating high-quality food and have seen a vet so you know nothing is physically wrong with your dog. By “well-adjusted” I mean that your puppy doesn’t get yelled at, or hit, and has no pre-existing behavioral problems or disadvantages (see the article on Crate Training for Puppy Mill Puppies for more information – Do Google search).

How Do You Punish A Puppy

What is Punishment-Based or Compulsion Dog Training?

The idea behind punishment or compulsion based puppy training techniques is that you give a negative response immediately after or during an unwanted behavior. The expected result is normally that the puppy learns that the performed behavior end with a negative result and the puppy will therefore not perform the behavior in the future. The most typical negative response that is normally used in puppy training is the leash correction.

So, How do you Punish a Puppy – normally Leash Corrections are an action where the leash is popped or jerked quickly and normally a prong or choke collar is used to inflict discomfort from that pop. Also commonly accepted are the newer electronic collars which produce a little prickle. A typical example would be would when a dog jumps up on a visitor. When the dog jumps up, the punishment (prickle, shock or leash correction) is immediately practiced.

The end goal is for the pup or dog to not realize where the punishment came from but to rather associate the jumping on visitors with pain and therefore he wouldn’t jump on visitors. Take note: This is merely explaining the concept, we DO NOT employ compulsion or punishment based training. See below an comparison between Punishment and Reward training for further understanding and description.

Reward vs Punishment Training

There are two basic reasons why you should be using reward based training as opposed to punishment. The first is from experience and research; the second is our personal opinion.

Research and our personal experience shows that there can be severe side effects to punishment -based training. A dog trained using punishment will usually result in either a lump of fur so scared to do anything for fear of getting punished, or a wild dog that completely ignores everything because they have become so desensitized to the punishments that it doesn’t mean anything anymore. On the other hand, the only side effect of using rewards is a possibility that the dog will not respond if they don’t smell food. This only happens when dogs are not put on a proper reward schedule .

Another issue with punishment is that the timing of the punishment has to be 100% accurate or else you are punishing the wrong behavior and the dog gets confused and either shuts down or ignores all punishment. Timing of rewards does have to be accurate but you aren’t going to mentally damage a dog by rewarding a different behavior than you were trying to reward.

You will also find that using reward “training” works much better in other areas besides dog training. Would you want to work for a boss who only told you the things you did wrong and never gave you a bonus or raise when you worked hard? Would you want to come home to a spouse or roommate who constantly nagged you about what you didn’t do? Check with any management consultants, marriage counselors or successful business people and they will tell you that the way to motivate people is to reward their achievements, not concentrate on their downfalls.

Now I will be the first to say that dogs are not furry little people, but they do have confidence levels and they can be motivated to work. So in these ways they are the same.

In the past a lot of people trained dogs using punishment based training. That was basically the only way until about 8-10 years ago. It was noted that some dogs could handle it but most other dogs would cower and yelp in fear if people just raised their voice. You would feel horrible seeing them react like that. Again, I fully recognize that dogs are not furry people but I do love my own dogs like a child and realize that most people feel the same way. I couldn’t use those techniques on someone I love, so I don’t expect my clients to either. In addition, I have seen much better responses with using positive reinforcement and I don’t see why I would use anything else!

What is Reward Based Training?

The concept behind reward based training techniques is that a positive response is given immediately during or after a desired behavior. The intended result is that the animal learns that the performed behavior has a positive result and therefore will want to perform the behavior in the future. The most common type of positive response that is used in dog training is food rewards but depending on the dog, access to toys, attention from people or playing with other dogs can be used as a reward also.

For example, when a dog greets a person by sitting down, as soon as the dog’s bottom hits the ground they get a treat. The concept is that the dog learns that if he sits when he meets a person he will get something good and therefore he will want to do it again.

Is It Cruel To Crate A Dog While At Work

WHAT EXPERTS SAY. IS IT CRUEL TO CRATE A DOG WHILE AT WORK?

In their recommendations and guidelines on crating, ASPCA do condone the use of a dog crate as a “short term tool” to manage dogs, and they also make a comparison between a den that a wild dog may create in the wild and dog crates for domesticated dogs – they refer to both as potential safe spaces that they are naturally attracted to.

On the other hand, the animal rights organization “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals” (PETA), an international organisation, do not exactly agree with that comparison, by making the point that wild dogs normally spend time in their den for the first few weeks of their lives, and then after that they abandon their dens. Also PETA makes it clear that the natural den of a wild dog would not have a locked door, which means wild dogs are free to come and go into their Den as they wish. They also published some very strong views on this topic, declaring that the crate is more than “a object with holes in it”, and that it’s normally used as a means of robbing dogs of their basic and natural needs.

Is It Cruel To Crate A Dog While At Work

So can you leave your puppy in the crate while you’re at work for the day? Normally, the answer would be no. Though, depending on your work schedule it may be possible.
Normally, the longest you can leave an adult dog (that’s experienced with it) in their crate maximum 4 to 6 hours at night – and that’s sleeping overnight. During normal day time, your dog would want at least somewhat active time, and most important, in this case you will not be around to hear if the dog needs any help while you’re at work.

You would probably be OK if you have a straight forward workday and in a position to check on your dog every few hours at a minimum. Every dog is unique, so the exact amount of time you may leave him in the crate will depend on your dog and his temperament, but the maximum is probably between 2-4 hours during the day (definitely less for puppies). Considering that, if you have a puppy or if you will be gone from home for more than 4 hours, it’s simply too long to leave them in the crate.

Should Dogs Sleep In Your Bed

Allot has been written by different experts and many of them suggests that allowing your pup in your bedstead sends mixed messages, your pack status will obviously be go down, and that a dog who shares a bed with you will consider himself an equal in the pack.

On the contrary, many normal dog fans reported that their dogs slept with them for many years without any issues.

My opinion would be: It obviously all depends on the human and the dog.

When you have a great working relationship with your puppy based on respect and mutual trust and you don’t care waking up with your pup’s tail in your hair or his paws braced in your face, by all means, you can go ahead and sleep with your adjusted pup – under the covers when you want!

If you realistically think about it, It’s not the small adjusted and respectful dogs that should be banished, but rather the rough vicious ones who don’t see their owners in their lives as their leaders, dogs who normally dare to talk back or bite, out of (or in) the bed, those who definitely do not belong there. It’s actually a shame that the nice adjusted dogs are punished for the ones who can’t behave themselves.

It’s obvious, your bed doesn’t cause theses problems, but it will definitely magnify the problem if it already exist. Some other complications that can make you reconsider this includes:

• Tough mornings and also restless nights, your pup might disturb your sleep
• Allergies – He might exacerbate it
• Risking your Relationships, yes it might not be the right idea for your marriage
• Causing your dog to become aggressive
• Dog Drooly, you might wake up next to wet spots in their bed or on your pillow
• Warming your Bed, especially if you’re not doing well with sleeping warm
• House Train Accidents poo
• You don’t want bubonic plague, parasites, fleas, meningitis etc
• Could be dangerous for kids, biting risk factor

When having difficulties with your dog, when you struggle with the relationship, when he is acting Bratty, disrespectful and bossy, then he should definitely not share your bed at night.

A dog that steal a sandwich out of your child’s hand or that knocks him over in a passage should definitely not share you’re a pillow with your child, even if he acts fine when sharing it with you.

It’s better if puppies learn to sleep alone and don’t grow up co-dependent and clingy or develop the impression that your bed is their right, and not their privilege. Dog behavior specialists and behaviorist are quoting horrifying stats that the most severe bites to owners occur normally in the owner’s bed.

If your Dog would take advantage of you when standing upright, then he would most definitely take more advantage when you are prone.

Normally a bossy dog that thinks its’s HIS bed and that he’s sharing the space with you, might also think that he also has the right to correct you in the bed, and this could have dire consequences.

If your dog is the Alpha of your house and think he runs it, you need to get professional help. It’s not necessary the “Bed” as such that’s the problem — but rather the symptoms of a much bigger problem: it points to unhealthy relationships.

Velcro dogs (dogs that clings to you like a tail) is definitely not good candidates to share your bed with.

Dogs that is co-dependent and clingy, or suffers from anxiety because of separation, should rather not be exposed to your bed. Some dogs suffers with allot of stress when you are not around, these dogs need more practice to feel secure when you’re not around.

These dogs is normally like your ever present shadow, even when you’re in the toilet and they are on the other side of a door they will be whining, so it will take more effort for them to learn that separation is also ok. When you sleep they are normally plastered to you during the night, so this would just encourage the co-dependence. Night-time is a great time for The best would be for your dog to practice feeling secure on his own during night time away from you.

Great Guidelines

• Some introspection into your relationship. If your dog is emotionally secure? You should be the good leader.

• Your dog should sleep where you tell him to sleep, so wait for permission.

• Be very careful if it feels like you are disturbing highness in bed, especially if he growls at you, then it would be time to boot him out of bed, and also rather get professional assistance.

General Crate Training Q&A

“Crate training” is a phrase that is frequently mentioned by shelters, veterinarians, trainers and many dog training books, as a way to help raise a puppy or acclimate an older dog to a new home. You may be thinking about trying it. Or maybe you have already decided to do it, but have a lot of questions. Is it right for my dog and me? How big should the crate be? How long do I leave the dog in the crate? How do I get them to like it?

Benefits to crating:

1. Providing a place of safety and security for the dog.
2. Prevention of costly damage (due to chewing and eliminating).
3. Help with the training of proper chewing and eliminating.
4. An improved relationship with the owner and the dog (fewer problems means less discipline and less frustration for both the dog and the owner).
5. Aids in preparing the dog for travel or boarding.
6. Prepares the dog for “forced bed rest” in case of illness or injury.

Who should be crated?

1. Suitable for puppies, adolescents and adult dogs (adult dogs with cases of separation anxiety should not be crated without seeking professional help from a behaviourist).
2. Puppies or dogs that are not housebroken.
3. Puppies or dogs that are destructive when left home alone and cannot safely be left outdoors.

What type of crate do I buy?

Crates come in two forms:

• Collapsible wire crates work well at home or for traveling by car and allow the dog to see and feel more

• Plastic crates generally less costly not a good idea in the summer unless in an air conditioned area are required by the FAA if traveling by air

How big should the crate be?

The crate should be big enough for the dog to stand up, turn around and lie down as an adult. For puppies, buy the adult size and block off a portion with a cardboard box, upside down laundry basket, etc. This will aid in housebreaking because dogs generally do not like to eliminate in their space or sleeping area. If given enough room, a puppy might relieve itself in one corner and sleep in another in a crate that is too big.

How big should the crate be?

1. When you are asleep at night.
2. For nap times.
3. When you are not home or can’t supervise the dog.
4. Crates are not to be used for punishment. Successful crating comes from teaching the dog that the crate is a safe and positive place. If the dog always associates the crate with punishment or being left alone for long periods, the dog will learn to dislike the crate.
5. Crates are also not a replacement for training. The more time that you spend training your dog how to behave in the home, the less time he will have to spend in the crate.

What do I put in the crate?

• A clean blanket, bed or towels for the dog to sleep on (unless the dog is destructive).
• Safe chew toys may be put in the crate to entertain the dog such as: Nylabones, Kong toys (stuffed with kibble, treats, peanut butter, etc), Natural sterilized bones (stuffed as above).
• If you like. you may wish to put an old shirt or towel that you have slept with to comfort a puppy or timid dog.
• Leaving food and water is not recommended – especially during the housebreaking phase.

How do I get the puppy/dog to like it?

• Start with the crate door blocked open and in the same room with you.
• Place treats and/or special toys (see above) in the crate.
• Feed the dog in the crate (initially with the door open, then with it shut).
• Play fetch in and out of the crate.
• Sometimes, toss some food treats in, let the dog get them and don’t close the door.
• Lay by the crate door and pet your dog.
• Sometimes when you are home put the dog in the crate with a treat, close the door and walk away. If he remains quiet, come back in 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes (vary it) and let him out. He will learn that a closed door doesn’t necessarily mean hours in the crate.

What if my dog whines?

• Ignore it! If you go to soothe the dog or let him out this will reward the whining. If he gets no feedback he will eventually settle down, especially if he gets one of those neat stuffed Kong toys or a treat when he first goes in.
• If you think your puppy is whining because he needs to go to the bathroom, you should still wait until he is quiet for 30 seconds to a minute before letting him out. Then take him straight out to go potty and praise him for doing so.

How long do I leave my dog in the crate?

• Puppies cannot be left for more than 3-4 hours (as a general rule, the age, in months, plus one hour) without needing a bathroom break. If you cannot come home for lunch or aren’t willing to get up at night for the first several weeks, crating may not be for you.
• Adolescents and adults can be left up to 8 hours but you must compensate that with exercise. Daily walks or jogs, fetch in the yard, tug games, training, etc. must be done to release pent up energy.

Isn’t crating cruel?

• Not when used properly. It will aid in training and cut down on frustration between you and your dog. It is more cruel to set the dog up or allow the dog to fail which will increase your frustration and may ultimately end in surrendering or giving up the dog.
• Crating is cruel if used incorrectly, used as punishment, or used excessively and the dog is neglected and ignored.

Also see dog training..