The main purpose of crate training for dogs
Teaching your dog to become housebroken and to stop going to the bathroom in the home is the main purpose for crate training for dogs.
The moment you arrive home you should allow the dog to go in your yard and relieve himself. This is one of the best ways to get him started.
If necessary, find a spot in the yard and make it his designated “poop” area. The way to show him where it is at is to wait for him to go in that spot and then praise and reward him. Find the best thing he responds to whether it be an edible treat or a toy. Whichever it is, continue to use this as his reward.
In order for him to realize the crate is his own personal space, it would be wise to take him directly to it the moment you enter the house .
Eventually he will get used to it. However, like a baby, he may whine and cry about being in it at first. It is up to you to ignore the whines and make him remain there.
Size of Crate
When done correctly, crate training for dogs is a very cool and effective technique as long as you purchase the right type of crate that is suitable for the size of your dog.
Small dogs need small crates. However, if your dog is small now, but you know she will grow to be bigger when she is at adult hood, then you must purchase a crate that will fit her size as an adult.
Do not purchase one that is too big though because if you leave her in there too long she will just go to the opposite end of it and release herself.
If you have no choice but to buy one that is too big, then you should use some type of divider to stop the puppy from being able to travel to the other end. Therefore she will hold it as long as possible because she will not go where she lie her head.
Length of Time
When using crate training for dogs, you must set a time schedule.
This will set a routine for her that she will get used to. Because of the routine, it would be very essential to the time it takes to train her.
You should also allow the puppy to run free and play with the family at least every two hours. This will not only be beneficial on her bladder, but it will also let her know she is still part of the family and is loved.
It really doesn’t matter if you keep the crate in the kitchen, bedroom or living room just as long as it is in the place that all the family congregates.
If there are no more family members, then you probably should keep it in your bedroom.
To reinforce that she is doing something right, make sure you continue to show her love and affection when she does go outside. Also continue to give her a treat when she goes.
Your puppy is small as well as her bladder, therefore, you cannot expect her to hold it in longer then her body allows so please make sure you stay on top of the two hour set schedule.
It would be unfair and cruel to her to leave her in there cramped up and unable to move longer than two hours. Remember she is a dog and needs to run around freely. It is in her nature.
