By: Benjamin Bergmann
Every year, thousands of dogs are abused, abandoned or even worse because their owners cannot handle the behavior problems their dogs are having. For dogs, house training must be an essential part in becoming a loved member of a family. One method used for house training is crate training dogs.
Advantages of using a crate
A dog crate is a rectangular box made of plastic or wire with a door at the front, normally used for traveling or for the transport of ill dogs. Many dogs have the need for a den-like enclosure. This is due to the centuries-old instincts in dogs. They like having a secure and clean nesting space. A crate cannot only satisfy this need, it can also help to solve many other problems like separation anxiety or destructive behavior. It can help to keep your puppy away from potentially dangerous items in your household (such as wires or cleaning supplies) and can be useful for housebreaking your dog more quickly since dogs avoid soiling their den.
Preparing and furnishing the crate
Many young puppies don't accept closed crates right away. To help your puppy, remove the screws and take the door and top of the crate off. Once your puppy is used to the crate, you can put the top and the door back on.
Place a soft bed (you can purchase those in pet supply stores) or a towel inside the crate to avoid your puppy laying on the hard underground. If your dog starts to chew on the towel or bed, remove it immediately.
Dogs need to be busy, so you should place its favorite toys into the crate. Bear in mind toys always being big enough so that they cannot be swallowed. This is extremely important when the dog stays at home alone.
If your dog is more than two hours locked in the crate, you will have to supply a bowl of fresh water.
Where to place the crate
Many dogs having been crate trained while still being a puppy prefer the crate as a relax place for the rest of their life. Therefore, you should supply a crate throughout the dog's lifetime. Since dogs are very social pets, the crate should be placed into a room the family usually is spending a lot of time in.
Never use the crate as a punishment
If you come back home and your dog has messed in the crate, just wash it out. You should never punish your dog in the crate. Punishment only causes your dog to be afraid of the crate. The crate should be a place where your dog loves to be in.
Crating is not always successful
Unfortunately, crate training is not successful for all dogs. Please remember, that every dog is an individual and therefore has its own needs and ways to train it successfully. While crate training dogs and puppies isn't always successful, it is definitely worth a try.
