| Who doesn't love puppies? I know, technically there | | | | kennel should be around 36 inches), and you want |
| are a few people out there who 'claim' to not like | | | | the height to be at least 3 inches taller that you pup |
| dogs, but you and I know that they are just in denial. | | | | (so they don't have to hunch). Also, you don't want |
| For those of us that do absolutely love dogs (and | | | | the kennel to be more than 2 times the length of |
| puppies), it can be a difficult transition from the cute | | | | your pup, or they might start using the back as a |
| puppy in the store to actually keeping them happy in | | | | bathroom. |
| their new home. Luckily, there is something that you | | | | Step two: find something soft to put in. Note: it |
| can do that will make this change much easier: crate | | | | doesn't have to be some expensive pet bed; it can |
| training. But what is it, and how does crate training | | | | just be a folded bath towel if you want. Make sure |
| puppies make their life (or just as importantly, ours) | | | | it's something that you don't mind giving up, and |
| easier? Here is a complete walk through to help you | | | | something that is machine washable (I'd wash it |
| with your new training quest, but first let's evaluate | | | | every 2 weeks or so). The more comfortable you |
| the benefits for you and your puppy. | | | | make it, the easier the training will be. |
| First off, what crate training puppies means. Basically, | | | | Step three: put it in a room that you are in a lot |
| it just means that you are teaching your puppy to | | | | during the day; you don't want them to feel isolated. |
| view their crate/kennel as their 'den', and to be as | | | | Now prop the door open, and start the positive |
| comfortable in it as possible. An oversimplified | | | | reinforcement techniques. You want to praise them |
| explanation is that you are going to create as many | | | | every time they go into the kennel, but don't force |
| positive associations with the kennel as you can, | | | | them to go on. If they aren't going in at all, hide |
| while at the same time avoiding any negative feeling | | | | treats when they aren't looking. This way, they will |
| as much as you possibly can. But how do you do | | | | randomly go in and find 'treasure', so they will want |
| that? | | | | to go in more often. If they still aren't going in, begin |
| Well, the most important thing is to avoid any | | | | feeding them in the kennel. Again, don't close the |
| negative feelings, and the biggest problem that most | | | | door. |
| people have with this is using the kennel for time out. | | | | By following those steps, you should find that you |
| DO NOT use the kennel as a punishment for your | | | | puppy is getting more and more comfortable in their |
| dog ever! This will be a huge step backwards, and will | | | | kennel. If they are whining a lot at night, try keeping |
| make further progress with your crate training all but | | | | the kennel in the bedroom with you, and put |
| impossible. So, no timeouts in the kennel! Now we | | | | whatever undershirt you were wearing that day in |
| can figure out the specific techniques that will make | | | | the kennel with them with a toy. The smell of you |
| your efforts at crate training puppies successful, | | | | on your shirt will keep them comfortable. |
| using positive associations. | | | | So, why go through all of this effort (though I don't |
| Step one: picking out a kennel that is the right size | | | | think it's much effort)? For you, there are a ton of |
| for your dog. You want the crate to be big enough | | | | benefits. If someone comes over and your dog is |
| for the dog to be comfortable, but small enough that | | | | jumping up and going crazy, you can put them in |
| they won't feel comfortable using the back as a | | | | their kennel until the guest leaves. Also, if you need |
| bathroom. There are a few general rules to help you | | | | to travel somewhere, the dog will be comfortable in |
| pick one out: you want the kennel about 1.5 times as | | | | their kennel. |
| long as your dog (so if your dog is 24 inches your | | | | |