How to Successfully Crate Train
Crate training is vital for puppies.
Some may think it’s cruel, but while your puppy learns house rules, it is vital for keeping them out of trouble.
It would only take one electrical wire chewed to be devastating to your family. Crate training will also prepare your puppy for the vet and groomer, where crates are used for the protection of the dog.
Here are a few important steps:
The 10:1 principle. During the day, try using 10 times in the crate for a variable time (short). Sometimes as little as 1 minute. Sometimes 5 minutes. Sometimes more. And on the 10th time, leave him in there around 1 hour. This way, the puppy will never know how long he will be in the crate, but it’s never overly long at first.
Treat. Reward his time in the crate with a favorite toy that is reserved only for crate time or a frozen stuffed Kong. The key is for the puppy to look forward to getting into crate to enjoy the treat. If he hasn’t finished the Kong, take him out of crate anyway so he looks forward to finishing treat off on his next visit. A snuggle puppy with heat/heartbeat and mama/sibling smell is ideal for this situation.
Feed him in the crate. Make this where you always feed him, so he has to go inside crate to eat - leave door open.
Naptime. If he has a nap, pick him up and place him inside (door left open). Cover it so it makes it a den and his safe place.
Bedroom Crate. In the beginning, first few days are really hard on a puppy. Have the crate in your bedroom, elevated where he can see you and know you are close by or within touching distance. After a few weeks, begin to move it further from you and to where you would eventually want his crate to be.
Crying. Never let him out while he is crying! If he is crying or whining, ignore him completely and pretend to do something else. If he stops crying/whining even for a few seconds, reward with a word of praise and/or treat, and open the door. But if he tries to push out before door fully open, then push shut door again. Say no. He will quickly learn to sit/lie down and wait. Then open gate, have him wait until you say ‘okay’ to leave the crate.
Smell. You want your pup to feel safe in the crate. Never use it for punishment. And ideally, having a blanket that smells like you or his littermates/mom is important.
Overnight Crate time. During the first overnight stays, you will need to give him a potty break every 2 hours. It gets better quickly, but be prepared for this. Don’t play with him during potty breaks, have him do his business, reward him, and put him back into the crate.
Progress. Being crate trained will not happen overnight, it is a progress, but if you stick to it, you can overcome this challenge within a month or so.
Consistency. Puppies and dogs thrive on consistency. When their schedule changes, it’s confusing and causes accidents. So do your best to be consistent.
