Crates are great if used in moderation. Crates can be used not only for house training your pup but also for keeping your puppy safe, and to be used for time outs. Why crate train? Dogs are den animals and in the wild a dog would need a den to feel safe, secure and to be a healthy productive animal. Dogs need a “den” of their own and your home is WAY to big to be a den.

By having a crate you are giving your dog a safe and secure place to stay in when you are unable to watch him, when he needs to take a nap or even learn to chill out in the house.  Crates will also help your pup learn not to use the bathroom in the house because he would be more likely to not soil the crate and will learn to hold his bladder until he is outside where you want him to go. Crates are also great for when you are going out of town and you may be at a hotel that will allow dogs a crate. Also if your dog will need to be boarded at a vet clinic then at least your dog will be familiar with being in a crate so he does not get scared and is familiar with being crated.

    Young puppies taking a nap in crates  

Do they look stressed out?                                                                                                                                             

 A few tips for crate training are: Do not allow him to come out if he is crying. Be strong, buy ear plugs, go out to eat, go outside do whatever you must do but do not give in. If you do your pup has learned the most important lesson of his life. He is the boss you are not. Yelling 'Shut up' over and over will teach him that 'Shut up' = BARK! Put your pup in the crate once he has had a chance to use the bathroom outside, do not expect him to be able to hold his bladder for long periods of time. If possible start out slow and introduce him to the crate easily. I suggest you put his food in the crate with the door open to start. Let him go in and out on his own a few times. Toss a toy or treat in so he will want to go inside.

Once you have shown him there is nothing to fear you can close the door and get ready for the barking. **If you got your puppy from me your puppy has already started crate training at 4 weeks of age. Yep 4 weeks.  I start putting pups in crates at 4 weeks old so they learn they can take naps there and it is a safe place to be. **To get your pup to venture into the crate you can toss a toy into the crate or even a treat to get your pup to venture into the crate. Leave the crate door open and just let the pup go in and out when he wants during the day. What I suggest you do it take your pup outside to go to the bathroom, give the pup lots of time to go potty and if he does not go to the bathroom take him back inside put him in the crate for 1 hour and then take him back outside and try again. If he does go to the bathroom then allow him to play in the house with you monitored for an hour and then put him back in the crate for an hour and repeat the steps.

Keep track of when your pup does go to the bathroom so you will learn his schedule.

Puppies need to go to the bathroom after playing, eating, and taking a nap.

Do not only use the crate for when you will not be home because your dog will soon learn the crate equals you leaving and a dog can develop separation anxiety issues.

If you are putting your pup in the crate and it is not important that the pup sleep you may also want to give the pup a Kong with something good in it to keep your pup busy and not thinking about getting out.

** A Collar, Leash, Harness etc should not be left on the pup or in the crate. Puppies like to chew and you do not want the pup slipping off his collar and choking.