| Crate Training can be used as an adjunct to | | | | owner's responsibility to ensure that the puppy |
| House Training puppies. By instinct, most dogs do | | | | has ample opportunities to eliminate outside the |
| not want to defecate or urinate in their den -- in | | | | crate. |
| this case, the crate. | | | | A comfortable bed and a favorite toy will make |
| The puppy will stay in the crate while he is not | | | | the dog much happier in his crate. Crate Training |
| being fed or watched but each stay in the crate | | | | must not be a stressful experience for the dog. |
| should be of short duration. When the puppy | | | | Even an adult dog, when ill or affected by certain |
| needs to go, take him to his usual area and give | | | | medications, can end up soiling the crate, making |
| him the same command every time. Make a | | | | the dog uncomfortable both physically and |
| great fuss of the dog when he has completed his | | | | mentally, if the owner isn't vigilant and aware of |
| toilet. | | | | the dog's needs. |
| Until housebroken, the puppy is either in the crate | | | | It is important not to misuse the crate by turning |
| or is closely supervised. | | | | it into a prison. There is some disagreement |
| Before the puppy goes in the crate, give him | | | | among trainers regarding when the door of the |
| plenty of attention and play (and time for toilet), | | | | crate should be closed. Some trainers advocate |
| so that he is ready to rest and take it easy and | | | | only closing the crate when the owner is in the |
| goes into his crate willingly. | | | | house but others disagree. |
| For maximum effectiveness, the crate must be | | | | Simple confinement is not the same as crate |
| just large enough for the puppy to be able to | | | | training. Somtimes the puppy has to be kept in his |
| stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. | | | | crate if he is not yet house -broken. |
| If there is too much space, the puppy might use | | | | The crate is not designed for locking the dog in |
| the unoccupied end as a bathroom. | | | | and leaving him for extended periods; if the dog |
| Crates can be either metal or plastic. A nervous | | | | isn't let out when it needs to relieve itself the |
| or apprehensive puppy will likely be more settled | | | | training will be set back weeks or even months. |
| in his crate if he can see all that's going on around | | | | To avoid this, make a diary of your puppy's |
| him. A plastic crate is easier to clean and keep | | | | frequency of toiletting |
| sterile - this is also a requirement for airplane | | | | When not confined, then make sure he is taken |
| travel. | | | | from his crate to your designated toilet area at |
| As an owner, you must pay careful attention to | | | | these intervals. Being in a crate will not mean he |
| the frequency of your puppy's need to go | | | | needs to toilet less frequently! |
| outside, so that you can anticipate his next visit. | | | | No dog should ever be confined to a crate for a |
| Even a confined puppy has a difficult time | | | | longer period than their owner can 'hang on' |
| controlling its urination and defecation. Control gets | | | | without needing to use the lavatory. |
| better as the puppy gets older, but it is the | | | | |