Proper crate training can effectively housebreak any dog.
According to the American Dog Trainer's Network, a dog has a "natural reluctance to soil its sleeping place," and many believe that puppies are taught by their mothers from birth not to eliminate in sleeping areas. Correspondingly, many dog owners find that crate training is one of the most effective methods of housebreaking a puppy or full-grown dog. Crate training involves keeping your dog confined to a cage--or crate--for predetermined amounts of time to encourage outdoor elimination. No matter what breed or age your canine companion is, knowing properly crate train him can make the task much easier for both of you.
Instructions
Crate Training To Housebreak Your Dog
1. Choose an appropriate-sized crate. The size of the crate is very important when training your dog. Make sure your crate is large enough for the dog to sit, stand and turn around in to ensure it is comfortable during periods of confinement. A too-large crate will defeat the purpose by giving the dog enough space to eliminate without sitting or stepping in it. When crate training a large breed puppy, start with a smaller crate and replace it with a larger one as the dog grows bigger.
2. Create a comfortable atmosphere in the crate.
Create a comfortable atmosphere for your dog. The first objective is to make the crate a place your dog will want to spend time in. Pad the floor of the crate with a soft towel or blanket, add a few of its favorite toys and keep small treats inside. Encourage your dog to enter the crate; praise and reward it with attention and treats when it does.
3. Keep the crate in the room with you. When crating your dog while you are in the home, keep the crate nearby whenever possible. Keeping the crate at your bedside at night can help your pet establish a sleeping pattern that coincides with your schedule, and keeping it crated near family members will prevent it from feeling lonely and excluded. If you cannot move the crate frequently, find an area of the home to keep it where your dog can observe your movements.
4. Confine your dog to the crate. Once your pet has become comfortable with its crate, you can begin keeping it confined for extended periods. For most effective results while potty training, confine your dog to its crate immediately after feeding. Typically, dogs will need to eliminate within 10 to 15 minutes after meals. Crate it after eating for at least 15 minutes, then take it outside to do its business immediately after releasing it from the crate.
5. Praise your dog when he has succeeded.
Reward your dog for eliminating. The key to successful dog training is recognition and reward. If your dog has kept its crate clean while confined and eliminates outdoors when you release it from the cage, reward it with praise, a dog biscuit or treat and some recreational playtime outdoors. If it does not eliminate at this time, bring it back to the crate and try again 15 minutes later. Offering rewards when the dog has not produced is encouraging it to do nothing and can be counterproductive.
Related posts
Crate train your pit bull.Crate training your pit bull is a good idea not only for housebreaking purposes, but also to give you a place to safely keep him when you are away from home. Pit bulls ar...
One of the most important things you can do is crate train your dog. Be prepared to spend some time and effort when it comes to crate training. It can be the best way to stop unwanted pet behavior...
Make the crate a happy place for your dog.Crate training gives a dog a safe place if it needs some down time and is also useful while you are housebreaking your pet. When visitors arrive, a crate...
Crate Train ShitzusShih Tzus are wonderful family pets with a lot of energy, personality and intelligence. They are, however, prone to separation anxiety, which can prove to be stressful for the o...
Proper kennel training promotes well behaved and well adjusted dogs.Kennel training, otherwise known as crate training, is a positive way to raise a well-adjusted dog. The concept of kennel traini...
