Crate training is a powerful tool for making the adjustment for your puppy into your home. Many people are concerned that crating a puppy is cruel. By nature, dogs are hard wired to live in a den, and puppies that stray from a den are vulnerable. Using a crate simply takes advantage of 7,000 or so years of hard wiring.
If you have tried and failed, consider the list from Dr. Michelle Posage, Veterinary Behaviorist on the most common reasons for crate training failure:
- Not feeding in the crate
- Too much time in the crate during introduction
- Location of the crate
- Rescuing from the crate
- Forcing the puppy into the crate
- Using crate for punishment
- Teasing the dog in the crate.
Consider the crate your puppies safe place. Make its introduction fun, luring them in with tasty treats without closing the door at first.
Many of the problems we see as puppies get older can be rectified by crating. But the problem is, its hard to start when the dog is acting up and is not familiar with the crate as a safe place.
Watch these videos for more hints.
