Crate training is a wonderful way to aid in housebreaking your new pup,

plus it also can be used for helping with time outs & chewing prevention.

We recommend the plastic crate for shipping or traveling. The wire crate is best used in the house as it allows for more air flow and allows the pup/dog better view of his surroundings.    

Many people think keeping a pup/dog in a crate is being mean to them,

while in reality, it is similar to a den in the wild, and it is instinctual to want to be in a den. When introduced properly, a pup will look forward to being in its "own room".

Our dogs love to take a nap in their crates, because we leave them out with the doors either removed or left open.

 The use of an exercise pen connected to the wire type crate works great! This teaches the pup it can go in and out on it's own. You can place a towel or sheet over the top & sides of the wire crate to make the crate more private and dark for the pup.

Please note: to those new puppy owners that work 8 hours a day. You can't just leave  a young pup in a crate for that many hours. If you do it will soil its crate and become what's call a 'dirty dog', which is a dog that has lost it natural instinct to be clean in it's sleeping area. This type of pup/dog may never be able to be housebroken. The use of an exercise pen & crate that it can go out of to soil will solve the problem. Also, you can use a bathroom, partition off a kitchen or laundry room if you have no other choice. Lay newspaper down in the entire area of the space for the puppy. Always leave the crate open so the pup can leave the crate to potty. This will help the pup to learn only to soil outside of its crate.

Pictures below: Oakley in his 'gated' area. ( photo by Jeri Defeo )

 Click on the Midwest logo below to go to their website

  There is additional crate training advice there as well

Please note: a pup 8 weeks of age, can only hold its bodily functions for 3 hours.

Each additional month of age add another hour.

For example: a pup 4 months old can hold it for 5 hours,

a pup 6 months old can hold it 7 hours.

An adult dog should not be confined for more than 8 consecutive hours at a time.

It is very easy to get your puppy used to going into its crate. Simply take a few treats, let the pup sniff the treat to get it interested in them, then toss one in the back of the crate. ( Make sure the pup sees the treat being thrown to the back of the crate.) The pup should go in and eat the treat. Now, allow the pup to come back out and repeat what you just did. Praise the puppy for going inside the crate, and also start to use a command, such as: in, kennel, crate or go nite-nite or any other word you feel comfortable using. Gradually, start to close the door for a few minutes at a time. When your pup understands the crate is a place to be enjoyed, it will look forward to its room.

Eventually, start to close the door for longer periods of time while the pup is inside. It is best to have played with the pup, so it is tired, make sure it is fed and watered and most importantly, has been allowed to go potty. If you give the pup something it likes to chew, it will have something to do while its in the crate. Some chew items can include, ice cubes, baby raw carrots, a pigs ear, a Kong® toy with peanut butter or hard rubber dog toys.

Also, you can put a soft towel or pad in the crate for comfort as long as the pup doesn't use it for a potty. Check the blanket or towel often to be sure it is clean.

Most puppies will fall fast asleep, while others once they realize they are confined,

will throw a fit or whine. It is best not to allow the pup to win these battles.

Let the pup whine or cry until it is quiet and then quickly let the pup out.

Some pups are very stubborn and will really put their heart and soul into it.

When one of the "tough pups" are encountered, it will help, if you cover the crate with a sheet or towel and let the pup wear themselves out. Just be sure the pup isn't too hot or too cold, as this is also a reason to want out. The sooner the pup learns it won't get your attention just because it is making noise for no reason, the better your pup will be in the long run. This is a great way to teach patience to your puppy.

Just make sure you are reading your pup reactions correctly.

Most pups pick up on crate training very quickly and soon accept their crate as a place to relax and a place to go to get some quiet time. If trained properly they will always enjoy being in their crate. It gives them their own room so to speak.