Crate Training Guide

Step 1: Introduce your puppy to his new home.

Tip: Do not force your pet into the crate as this will create a fear memory for later.

The crate should be used from an early age as a place of rest for your puppy. Encourage your puppy to sleep inside the crate. Make the crate comfortable by providing a pad or a blanket. You can make the crate a private den by covering it with a blanket if necessary.

Start slowly, encourage the puppy to enter the crate by himself. Treats are a great way to encourage this! Initially leave the door open so your puppy can enter and exit as he pleases. As your puppy becomes familiar with his new bed, you can close the door. If your puppy is not happy ignore him! Once he has settled down inside the crate, lavishly praise him and then let him out.

Step 2: Housetraining

Tip: Do not leave your puppy in the crate all day.

Puppies cannot physically exert control of their elimination for more than a few hours. Puppies need to eliminate every 2-3 hours initially, and cannot wait a full 8 hours until about 6 months old. Keep in mind your puppy's limitations when establishing a schedule.

The objective is to get your puppy on an elimination schedule. Take the puppy outside every hour, if he doesn't eliminate put him back into the crate. If he does eliminate, praise (or treat) him lavishly. Make sure, that when your puppy eats, drinks, stops playing or wakes from a nap; you take him outside to try to eliminate. This will help avoid potty accidents in the house.

Once he gets the hang of his elimination schedule, let him out of the crate and direct him to the area where he can do his business. When he does eliminate, praise him!

Step 3: Behavior Maitenance - Tips & Reminders

1. Divider panels are provided in most wire crates. Adjust the panel inside the crate to adjust the crate size as your puppy grows. If a crate is too big, your puppy can find a spot to eliminate in, and still find a clean spot to sleep in.

2. Make the crate as comfortable as possible. If your puppy does have an accident, remove the dirty bedding, use vinegar & water mixture on the crate and replace new bedding.

3. Place the crate in an area where there is plenty of activity, like the kitchen or family room. Your puppy should not feel isolated when he is crated, if he still feel likes he's apart of everything he is more likely to be content in his crate.

4. The crate should not be a punishment place. Praise your puppy while in the crate. Use the crate when you're home and away, so that your puppy does not think he is going to be "abandoned" because he has to go into the crate.

5. If your puppy eliminates in the crate, it is because you left him in too long. This sets back the training cycle substantially.

6. Do not put food or water in the crate when you are training. As your puppy matures, this will not be an issue, but for training purpases avoid this. It will also keep his crate cleaner without the accidental spills of his food or water.

7. Do not leave a leash or a choke chain on your puppy/dog while he is in the crate.