Some Words On Crate Training Your Dog or Puppy


My first question on this highly controversial subject is
do you believe that a child should have their own private
bedroom and why, if your answer is yes then read on!
People must remember that in the wild, the fox and
wolf live in a den no larger sometimes than themselves,
for several reasons. Security, safety, protection,
rearing of their young, shelter and comfort. It is a
NATURAL instinct. Many different types of crates are
available, and my choices whether it be plastic enclosed
or wire, your dog/puppy crate will soon become his own
little "bedroom" where he can go to sleep, either when
you are home or when you are not home.

The sooner you start to crate train your puppy or dog
the better. Generally, I start all my puppies very
young. I do get a carpet remnant and cut it to the size
of the kennel, this pads all the joints, and then I put
either a blanket or towel in as the bed so that this can
be washed. Puppy soon becomes quite comfortable and
you KNOW THAT THIS PUPPY IS SAFE WHEN YOU
ARE NOT HOME.

For any potential behaviour problems always contact a
breeder before a trainer. Learn to crate train, it also
teaches puppy to be calmer natured by not allowing it to
have the run of the house frantically when no one is
home and barking at people passing by windows, again
left in a yard unattended also teaches bad habits when
no one is there to correct it. Same with adult dogs.
Learn to manage your puppy and dog.

I use one command every time I either put my adults or
my puppies in their crate and that is "bed". They just
go right in. I always leave their chew bones (not
rawhides) in with them so when they do wake up they
have something to occupy their time. I never recommend
leaving water or food because it usually spills and then
they have to lie in a mess. If it is a puppy, and the
puppy has been in his crate either overnight or for
several hours, when you let him out to go to the
bathroom, please pick him up and carry him to where he
is supposed to go. Once a puppy comes out of his
territory (crate) and the gate is opened, he may
consider the area outside his crate, an area for him to
relieve himself. Once he is a little older, he will go
outside quickly on his own.

Crate training is especially great when you have to
travel, leave your pet at the vet, visiting etc. They are
happy and quite content to know it is not a threat and
it is only temporary. More people end up getting rid of
their pets because they destroy things when they are
not home, not only that, there are many dangerous
items in your home for dogs and puppies that you are
not even aware of such as electrical cords, wood trim,
carpets etc., all these are quite chewable and pose a
great health threat if ingested. NEVER LEAVE their
collars on in their crates due to choking threat, and
always place kennel where the pet feels like part of the
family and can see everything, never isolate them in a
basement. Please treat crating as you would putting
your child in their bedroom, because this truly is what
it really is.

1. What's the proper way to crate train a puppy?- be
consistent and use crate frequently so pups realize it is
their place.
2. Should I put food and water in the crate when I
leave during the day - no - when they are out of their
crates this is plentiful - they just make a mess with it
when it is in their crate and have to go to the bathroom.
3. How do I teach her not to chew and mangle her
kennel/crate while she's inside? - leave several
nylabones which are safe chewing toys when you are not
there to supervise.
4. Are there some really good and highly recommended
toys/chews/??? - I recommend Nylabone Souper,
Gallileo and Knotabone - all large - no problems with
these bones in all my breeding years.
5. How long does a process like this usually take?
whatever it takes for her to accept her crate
peacefully - a little rescue remedy may help take the
edge off her starting off.


For those that question crate training - do you believe
it is better to crate train your pet, or end up getting
rid of them because of the bad habits they were
allowed to develop due to their lack of training?


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Shar-Pei Canadiana.
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