| note: this is part 2/2 of our article series on puppy crate training, part one can be found here: Guide to Puppy Crate Training – Part One |
How you introduce your puppy to the crate can greatly determine how your puppy will feel about being crated. The first introduction should be easy and at the discretion of your puppy.
Start by leaving the crate open with your puppy’s food and water close to it. Your puppy will begin to associate the crate with something good right from the start if you do this.
Next, encourage your puppy to enter the crate by placing a bit of food inside of the crate door. When your puppy goes into the crate, praise him and encourage him for doing such a good job.
Each time your puppy goes in, the following time you will want to put another treat even further to encourage your puppy to go farther into the crate. Make sure you leave the door open at this stage.
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When he is comfortable with going into the crate, start putting food into it and then close the door, but don’t latch it. He won’t feel trapped this way and will become accustomed to the door being closed.
The next step is to latch the door closed and then to walk away for a few minutes. Come back when two or three minutes have passed and let him out, encouraging him to when you do.
Expand the amount of time that you leave him in the crate each time and encourage him whenever you come back. Remember that the crate should be positive so make sure to keep it that way.
When your puppy is feeling confident with the crate, you can leave him for longer periods of time and eventually you can start adding food and water to the crate for extended periods when you are away from the house.
If your puppy whines to be let out of the crate, never go and get him, no matter how loud he is. Wait until he is quiet and then go and remove him from the crate. If he starts to whine or bark when you are trying to let him out, turn your back to him and ignore him until he stops. If you give in, it will only teach your puppy that barking and whining will get him what he wants.
When you are crate training your puppy, there are a few other things you should avoid:
Never use the crate for punishment: Remember that this is going to be a safe place for your puppy so don’t use it as a means for punishment.
Don’t overuse the crate: Your puppy will be in the crate for a large part of his day already so don’t use the crate for periods when you are home and can watch him.
Don’t forget to take your puppy outside first: For crates to be an effective tool for housetraining, it is important to take your puppy outside to relieve himself before you put him in for the night.
Puppy crate training can seem a bit overwhelming at first but once you and your puppy get used to it, you will realize just how valuable it can be.
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