Crate training puppies: a quick overview

So you are the owner of a brand new puppy dog, congratulations! But if you're here, that means you have experienced some problems with the puppy or you're trying to train it so it feels comfortable and at home in a dog crate.

Crate training a puppy and other training in general will require you to put in the time and effort needed to achieve a certain result. It's also adviced that you keep up some of the activities and excercises after the training is complete as well. This is because some aspects of an ability don't necessarily always come up but you need to keep your puppy or dog active and sharpen his instincts.

Basic steps to crate train a puppy

If you're into the possibility of crate training your pup, you might stumble upon some views on how it's a cruel thing to do. Let me tell you first and foremost, if you do it properly, there shouldn't be any cruelty involved. Properly crate training puppies means understanding a couple of important principles which I have laid out below for you.

Never force the training process. This is an important point as some dogs will learn fast while many others will require a slower pace. Don't push your puppy, this can't be stressed enough!

Never leave a dog in a kennel for long periods of time. A crate isn't a place to put your dog if you can't handle it. Ask yourself the question: would you want to be locked up for a long time?

Understand that your puppy wants to be active and play around. If you think your dog will stay still and quiet whenever you want it to and should listen to you, re-think the purchase of a puppy.

A puppy doesn't stay a puppy for long. A dog crate that might be big enough for your puppy needs to be replaced if it gets too small.

The dog crate needs to have enough space for the puppy to stand in, turn around and lay in any position while not being cramped.

But be careful, if you're training a puppy, the crate shouldn't be too large. Dogs like their own den to be clean. So if you're potty training your puppy, make sure that if it does go in the crate, the puppy understands the consequences and will be less inclined to do so next time.

It should not be a permanent solution. Crate training is helpful for the housebreaking process of a puppy. If the dog causes no problems later on, you shouldn't always have to put him or her in his kennel.

Make your puppy feel safe. This is especially important at the start of the training. Keep the dog crate near places where you are. Make sure your bedroom isn't too far away, etc. This will help to make the puppy feel more comfortable and safe.

A crate is a good place for your puppy and it needs to understand that. Don't use the crate as a form of punishment or other negative related effects.

Why crate training puppies is good

Perhaps you might ask yourself why you should bother crate training because you will try to train your puppy around the house while it's maturing anyway. Well, crate training isn't so you can lock away your dog safely. But crate training is a helpful in the overal training and housebreaking process.

Crate training will also keep your dog, you, other people and your possessions safe. While I don't really care if my dog would chew down on a shoe, I do care if he would accidently swallow one of those metal shoelace rings, or a small patch of leather,... Dogs, and especially puppies, can be very curious at times and might not be fully aware of the consequences of their actions. You can't really blame them either.

Dogs like having their own space, be it a dog basket, a dog bed, their own pillow, the end of your bed or a crate, they enjoy having a place for themselves. If you're properly crate training a puppy, you'll notice that he or she will start to enjoy the crate. Your puppy will also start to associate the crate with the many positive things you're relating it to. When this happens you can be sure that your puppy like the "home" you've given him.

If you're planning a trip, taking your dog with you in a crate will be a walk in the park if he's used to it.

More in-depth crate training info and tips to follow

Keep an eye on the site because I will be posting more useful tips and guides so you can train your puppy the way it should and end up enjoyable for both you and your best friend!