How Does Puppy Crate Training Work?
Begin
Begin familiarizing your puppy with its crate immediately by leaving the crate open while you are at home so the puppy can go in and out at will. Place a stuffed toy, chew toy, bedding, and one of your old shirts or shoes in the crate to encourage your puppy to visit it frequently. Whenever you must leave the house, and cannot take your puppy with you, you should lock your puppy in the crate. Some puppies need a comforting sound, such as a ticking alarm clock, to help them settle down, especially those first few days. If your puppy is one of the smaller breeds, you may want to place a litter box in the crate so you will not need to take it outside for potty time. This is especially handy for apartment dwellers, and during winter months when tiny dogs can easily catch a chill, and rainy days when paws can get muddy.
Why Crate Training
Keeping your curious puppy locked in the crate while it is home alone helps prevent injuries as well as potty training accidents. The crate becomes the puppy's own space and provides it with feelings of security. Puppies love to chew; therefore, crate training keeps your puppy chewing on its toys instead of your new shoes and furniture. The human housemates tend to get a little angry when their puppy destroys the house and leaves little accidents on the carpet while they are away, but crate training can keep everyone in the family happy about having a puppy. Some families also keep their puppy in its crate when they are asleep, because they are unable to supervise it.
Choosing a Crate
Consider how large of a dog your puppy will grow into when purchasing a crate. A dog should be able to stand up, turn around, lie down, possible even stretch out in the crate. Some crates come with dividers, allowing the crate "to grow" with a growing puppy so you do not need to purchase multiple crates. When choosing the color and design of the crate, consider where you will keep the crate in your home, and if you will be traveling with your puppy. Some crates are approved for airline travel so they can serve a dual purpose. If you are keeping your puppy's crate in your living room, you may want it to fit in with your décor.
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