Untrained puppies are cute and entertaining but somewhat clumsy. Eating, sleeping, and playing are the three activities young dogs love a lot. It would be best if you planned to train and socialize the puppy as soon as possible to make things more comfortable in the house.
Puppies may seem small, but they can learn pretty fast. They can learn basic commands, such as come, stay, run, etc., within a few weeks. You don’t even need a professional pet trainer for the job. You can do it at home to establish a strong bond with the new family member.
So, how to crate train your puppy? Continue reading to reveal some simple but effective crate training tips!
Understand the Importance of Crate Training
Do you feel like keeping pets in a crate is not good for their behavior and health? It might sound inhumane to cage any living creature, but you won’t keep the pet in that crate forever.
Crate training significantly reduces the risk of accidents. It is beneficial for your pet because:
It keeps curious puppies safe: Puppies like to explore new areas and aren’t familiar with things that may cause physical damage. Puppies may bite certain things or pull objects that may cause physical injuries. Crate-trained pets stay confined when you are not around. It is essential for their safety!
It strengthens the dog’s bladder: Dogs avoid defecating where they sleep. If you place the pet’s crate inside the crate, it will avoid causing a mess. The dog will learn to hold his urges to pee inside the house, and it will fast-track the pet’s pee training routine.
It helps in the pet’s overall training: Crate-trained pets become more obedient and well-behaving. Besides, they learn the importance of freedom, avoid breaking out of the house, and spend most time inside it.
Puppies require extra care and constant monitoring to avoid accidents. Most homeowners do not get that much free time. Therefore, crate training is essential and keeps the pooch away from all sorts of troubles.
Puppy Crate Training Tips
Pick the Best Crate for Your Puppy
Choose a durable pet crate that offers ample space to accommodate the pet’s bed. The puppy will try to come out of that crate during the initial few days. It should be tough enough to withstand some bumps and scratches.
Suppose your pet does not sleep in the light; an airline crate will be the right pick for him. You should consider a wire crate if your puppy has no special needs.
Avoid buying a large crate if you allow the pooch to rest in an open space once he is well-trained. If not, you should buy a large crate according to your pet’s breed’s typical size of adult dogs.
Let Your Pet Get Familiar with the Crate
Choose the living room to place the puppy’s crate. It is the most widely used area of the house where the puppy will be around family members. That new thing will make your pooch curious. Accompany the puppy and help him get comfortable inside the crate to avoid anxiety and unnecessary stress.
Let kids spend some time around the puppy when you put him inside the crate. Place a soft bed inside the crate to keep the pooch happy and comfortable. A few treats will help you get the puppy inside the compartment. Thus, the pooch will get familiar with his new sleeping space and spend more time inside the crate.
Always Feed Inside the Crate
The puppy does not know the function of that new thing. It is his personal space where the dog will be comfy. Start feeding meals inside the crate when the puppy gets comfortable. Place your puppy’s favorite toys inside the crate to encourage him to spend more time inside it.
Suppose the puppy avoids entering, placing his food bowl near the crate’s entrance. It will eliminate the fear of getting caged, and your pooch will happily walk inside his new space. Some puppies feel anxious in confined areas. Serve meals regularly in the crate and place his bowl slightly further to eliminate that fear.
Gradually Increase the Crating Period
Experts advise pet parents to crate train their puppies patiently. Young dogs like to roam freely. They want to rest and play. So, whenever your pooch is tired, gently place him inside the crate. Do not leave the pet alone because it might frighten him if he finds himself caged.
Start with placing the puppy in that crate when he sleeps. Encourage him to play in that thing for a few minutes. Gradually increase the crating time to ensure the pet gets comfortable in there. It can take up to six months to crate train the puppy. It would be best if you started crating the puppy for a few minutes and gradually increasing that to 20-30 minutes to speed up the process.
Crate the Pet When You Go Outside
Once the pet starts spending time inside the crate, you can start living with him alone. First, crate the pet alone when you are doing household chores. Place his toys and treats inside that crate to keep the pooch comfy. The dog may find it challenging initially, but he will get comfortable within a few weeks.
Pet parents should crate pets when they move out for a few hours. It helps keep the pet safe and control their clumsy behavior. You won’t need to crate the pooch if he does not cause a mess around the house when you aren’t around.
Final thoughts
Some puppies are easy to train, and some require extra effort. That crate is not for imprisoning the dog, so avoid confining the puppy for more extended periods. Let the pet play inside the house and take him outside timely.
Recognize treats your puppy loves the most for positive reinforcement training. It will help you crate train the puppy faster, and it will be beneficial for everyone!
Happy training your puppy!