Crate Training Overview Good Behavior Dog Training recommends crate training a puppy or dog when you’re unable to watch your puppy/dog at all times, he/she should be confined to an area small enough that he won’t want to eliminate there. The space should be just big enough for him/her to comfortably stand, lie down, and turn around but, not so large that they can pee/poo and scooch away to the other side. You can use a portion of a bathroom or laundry room blocked off with baby gates. Or, as Good Behavior Dog Training recommends; you may want to crate train your puppy and use the crate to confine him. (Be sure to learn how to use a crate humanely as a method of confinement.) If your puppy has spent several hours in confinement, you’ll need to take him directly to his bathroom spot as soon as you let him out, and praise him lavishly when he eliminates in his appropriate area. Important Points · Like babies, puppies do best on a regular schedule. Take your puppy outside frequently—at least every two hours—and immediately after he wakes up from a nap, after playing, and after eating or drinking. · Praise your puppy lavishly every time he eliminates outdoors—you can even give him a treat—but remember to do so immediately after he’s finished eliminating, not after he comes back inside the house. This step is vital, because rewarding your dog for eliminating outdoors is the only way he’ll know what’s expected of him/her. · Create a bodily function diary to write down what time your pup eats, drinks, pees and poo’s. This will help you create a schedule for proper elimination outside and plenty of supervised playtime out of the crate. Remember we don’t want the pup living in the crate. It is to be used when you can not have your eyeballs Glued to your puppy. · Feeding your puppy in their crate helps to create a happy place to be and, reinforces that the crate is a wonderful place to hang out.
Wrapping Up Our Crate Training Overview The crate should be big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lie down. We suggest a crate that will be big enough for when the pup is an adult but has a divider panel also known as a “Life Stages” crate, so it can be sized as the puppy grows. Remember, you’re using the crate in part to teach your puppy not to potty in where they eat or sleep, so don’t put paper or weewee pads on the bottom. You may use a blanket for bedding if your puppy doesn’t potty on it or rip it up. If he/she does, don’t give him/her any bedding until he/she outgrows the urge to soil or tear it up. Give your pup several SAFE toys so that he/she can keep themselves entertained and fulfill their need to chew (especially during teething). A few of Good Behavior Dog Training’s favorites are, the Kong, the Nylabone or Cow Hooves; as these promote good canine dental hygiene, enhance overall mental fitness and encourage positive behavior. Also leave a radio or TV on while you are gone to help keep the mind occupied! Also, if your dog or puppy is crated, they won’t be able to do all of the things you don’t want them to… Such as, they most likely won’t be chewing on your shoes, pillows, curtains, bedspreads, tables, chairs, couches, cushions, kids toys, hair brush, electrical cords, remotes, cell phones, your pants, your hands, your feet, your shoe laces, your skirt, garden hose, plants, bicycle tires and/or seat (yes I have received a few calls over the years on that issue…), trash, socks, towels and the list goes on… But, if you provide plenty of acceptable chew toys and train your dog that those are the right objects (refer to your homework sheet on the puppy obstacle course) to chew on, you will never have a problem!!! Yes, they will destroy these toys and you will have to keep buying them new ones, but remember, you Buy Them Toys to Destroy so they don’t bother your stuff!!!!! If you have a dog or puppy that is a chewer or is not yet housebroken you need to have them in a crate or confined area when you cannot have your eyeballs Glued to your puppy while in the process of training them to have Good Behavior!!!
Coming Soon: Faith, Fitness & Fido™
Faith for the Soul. Fitness for the Body. Training for the Dog. By Good Behavior Dog Training At Good Behavior Dog Training, we have always believed that a well-trained dog is about more than obedience. It is about building stronger relationships, creating confident dogs, and helping families enjoy life together. Now, we are excited to…
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