Crate Training Your Puppy

If you think that training a puppy to use a crate is mean, you
may want to think again. Crate training your puppy is a fast and
effective way to housebreak him. In addition, the kennel will
keep him safe when you aren't able to supervise him. You should
purchase your kennel before your puppy arrives. Since your puppy
will feel more secure in a crate that is just big enough for him
to stand up and turn around in, you should avoid buying a big
crate. In addition, larger crates enable your puppy to choose a
potty corner and still stay clean, which makes housebreaking
harder. Follow these simple steps to quickly crate train your
new puppy:

* Put a fleece pad or a towel in the crate. * Add a favorite toy
so the puppy can amuse himself. * Take your puppy for a walk. *
Place your puppy in the crate and praise him. Give him a treat.
* Leave him in the crate and ignore him if he fusses. * Take him
out after fifteen or twenty minutes, but do not make a big deal
about it. * Immediately, take him for a walk and praise him.
Play with him for fifteen minutes to a half hour. * Put him back
in the crate and make a big fuss over him. * Leave him in the
crate a few minutes longer than the last time. Repeat these
steps, gradually increasing the time he spends inside the crate.

Eventually, you will be able to leave your puppy in the crate
for several hours.

Remember not to make a fuss over your little guy when you let
him out, but do make a big deal about him going into the crate.
This way, he will think that being crated is not something he
should worry about.