Why Does it work?

• Dogs like small, enclosed spaces because it resembles a ‘den‘. It should never be used for punishment. Instead, it draws on your dog’s preference for small spaces and allows you an extra measure of control over your dog. If you practice preventative training, your dog will spend time in the crate when you aren’t around to set boundaries.
• One benefit of a crate is in potty training. Dogs try not to go to the bathroom where they sleep or eat. If you keep your dog in a crate when you’re not together during potty training, your dog will try to hold it until you let him out and take him outside. Your job is to keep a reasonable schedule with plenty of chances to play and eliminate.
• Puppies also are at the age where they are learning consequences, and they will learn that when they have an accident, they don’t like it.

Choosing a Crate

• Choose the right size crate for your dog. Your dog should have enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down. Anything bigger and he may eliminate in one end and sleep in the other.
• You may need to invest in a larger crate as the puppy grows to adulthood.
• If your dog is past the chewing stage, make the crate comfortable with a blanket and favorite toys. If not, then only use toys that will not tear or splinter so there is no danger to the puppy.

Starting Off

• Introduce your dog to the crate in a low-pressure situation, not when you’re about to leave. Leave the door open and let your dog explore.
• Remove all collars before you crate your puppy.
• If your pup is frightened by the noise of a metal crate on a hard floor, put a towel or mat underneath the crate to muffle noise and prevent slipping.
• Toss a treat into the crate, then use a simple word like ‘kennel’ to get your dog to enter.
• Praise and close the door. Open it after a few moments.
• Slowly increase the time your puppy spends in the crate with the door closed.
• Don’t open the door because your dog whines. It will only teach him to whine more.
• A general rule for determining how long your puppy can be confined is one hour for every month that your puppy is old, plus one hour. Most three-month old puppies can stay in for four hours.
• Do NOT crate your dog for more than eight hours. It is unfair to leave the dog without a chance to eliminate or exercise any longer than that.
• The more confinement your dog has to cope with, the more exercise he needs daily. Crating is a tool that should never be used to avoid training, exercise and spending time with your best buddy.
• Maintain a regular schedule of trips outdoors so he can relieve himself. And so the reason for the trip is clear, always take your puppy on a leash to the same place.

Additional Information

•         If your puppy does have an accident, be sure to clean it up with a cleaner that will remove     proteins. Otherwise they will frequent the same spot. Thus human error-not puppies!
•         Another thing to keep in mind, is that the puppy should not have free reign of the house.       Keep them confined unless you are watching them.  Otherwise they will have too much     freedom and no supervision and will eliminate wherever they want.
•         NEVER, NEVER have your puppy come and then punish it. It will only teach your puppy     that when they come to you, you will be reprimanding them.
•         I have found that most of the time when a puppy has an accident, it has been human error. Too long in the crate, not removing the former urine smell, letting them have free reign without watching them, not seeing the signs when they are out and about, by leaving food and water in the crate (big no no!), not letting them finish when they are outside.  There are other reasons that puppies have accidents, but try to figure out why the puppy had the accident and assess the situation. There can be cases of infection, on antibiotics, storms, etc that may cause accidents. When in need, just call.