Want to know how to crate train a dog? You're not alone. Every year, many thousands of dog owners around the country look online in order to learn how to keep their puppy in a crate or separate room when they leave the house so they can reduce anxiety, destructive behaviour and barking. It is also a very valuable tool when trying to house break a new puppy and can make your life much easier if your dog insists on sleeping in your bed or on the couch. Housebreaking or Potty Training your puppy is much easier when you use Crate Training.

The Value of Crate Training a Puppy

Whether you're learning how to crate train a dog or just determining if it is safe for your dog, know that most dogs love their crates. In the wild, a dog will seek out a small, safe space to burrow into that will keep them warm and safe. A crate performs that wonderfully, giving them a safe space that is theirs alone. Dogs that have wide open spaces often have trouble differentiating their "home" from it, and will grow anxious trying to control and patrol the entire space. 

Crate training requires a LOT of patience on the dog owner's part. It helps to train your dog or puppy all the rules of the house. 

Crate Training can also be an extremely important part when trying to potty train a new puppy. The very last thing a dog wants to do is go to the toilet in its own space. Make certain that for the duration of this stage that you take your puppy out of the crate frequently when Crate Training to ensure he learns that "outside" is the place it does it's business.

How to Crate Training a Puppy

Ideally, you will crate train your dog as a puppy. A full grown dog that has never been in a crate will have a harder time adjusting to the small space and may grow anxious. A puppy will also be a bit upset but adapts much quicker, and if the puppy never has the option to sleep with you in your bed, it will likely not have anything to be upset about. 

When learning how to crate train a dog, make sure you don't pull the dog out of the crate if he gets upset. This will only teach the puppy that if he makes a fuss, you'll give him attention. Make sure you only take the puppy out of the crate when he has been quiet for at least 5 minutes. Then, greet him with a lot of attention and even a treat to reinforce that he did it right. 

At first, try to leave your puppy in the crate for short periods of time - an hour or two at a time. As he grows older, increase that time to match a full night of sleep or a day at work. 

Housebreaking a Puppy

Housebreaking a dog is the first thing that comes in the mind of a new dog owner.  A dog  has to be given some kind of basic obedience training from early age and housebreaking is the most important out of them. Dogs are basically habit forming animals and once they get into a routine, they form a habit out of it which is relatively harder to change. So it makes more sense to train them right from the beginning to avoid and confusion and problems later.

Where Should You Place the Puppy Training Crate

It is best to place the crate in the family room where a lot of people will be. At night, you should put the crate in your bedroom to give them a safe presence nearby. Eventually, after a month or so, you should be able to leave them in one place, but for now, be close to keep them calm and safe. 

When you start crate training your puppy, make sure he has a clean, comfortable place to sleep, a source of water, and a toy to play with. I suggest placing a blanket or small pillow in the crate to give them a comfortable place to lie down.

The crate should be only big enough for him to sleep in. If he can walk around in it, he may make a mess in it. As long as the dog can turn around in the crate, it is comfortable for them, and not inhumane. 

Crate Training Is Really Worth Your Time

If you learn how to crate train a dog properly, you'll be able to ensure your dog never gets too loud, destructive, or anxious when you leave. A puppy adapts quicker too, which is much less stressful for everyone in the house. 

The time involved crate training your puppy is nothing to the years of time you spend cleaning up the messes of a dog who hasn't been trained. With Crate Training your pet will learn the "rules of the home" and you and your family will enjoy your new member of the family.