Q: Why should I crate train my puppy?
A: I personally feel it is a good thing to crate a puppy - as long as the crate is not abused, dogs should not be left in a crate for hours on end (other than overnight) and the crate should not be used as a punishment. Your puppy's crate, used correctly will become his/her sanctuary, their quiet place. Also, if your pup ever needs to spend any time in the vets, they will be in a crate/confined space, if they are used to being crated and feel safe and secure in one, it will eliviate some of the stress involved during a stay at the vets.
My dogs treat their crate like a bed, they let themselves in and out of it, if they feel they want some peace and quiet... they go to their crate. The rule in my house is that we leave the dogs alone when they are in their crate, it is their space.
Make sure you buy a crate that is an adequate size for your pup, if you intend to continue using the crate when the pup is fully grown, buy one that will fit them as an adult.
Q: Isn't it cruel to keep a dog in a cage?
A: No, not if it is used correctly. My springer sulked under my dining table after I put her crate away and each time I get the crate out for pups she gets straight in it. As I have mentioned before, if your dog has to stay at the vets for any length of time, for a spey etc, they will be in a crate, this can be very stressfull for a dog that isn't used to it. Also, if you intend to have a crate in the back of your car for your dog - crate training will prove priceless.
Q: Do you have any tips for crate training my puppy?
A: The most important thing about crate training your pup is to make the crate a nice place for them to be, feed your pup in his/her crate, keep a couple of special/favourite toys for pup only when he/she is in his/her crate. If you lay a sheet or towel over the crate it will create a secure den-like environment for your puppy. Treat balls or other toys that will keep them mentally busy are great for this. Your pup will be teething, so a hard chew will also be good.
I don't put padded mattress type beds in with young pups as they will inevitably end up in pieces. Instead I use blankets. I also recommend buying a small plastic bed for the crate, this way if pup toilets in there, their bedding doesn't get wet. Put the bed in one side of the crate and the other side should be covered with news paper or puppy pads so they can toilet on this.
Q: I've set up the crate with bedding, paper, blanket over the top, what do I do first?
A: The longer you spend getting this initial bit right, the better the outcome will be and the happier your dog will be in their crate.
Start by NOT locking pup in the crate, just monitor them eating in there and with toys in there. If pup leaves the crate with their 'crate toy', gently take the toy away and place it back in the crate... repeat this each time they bring it out. Close the crate with the toy inside and the pup outside while you carry on with your daily routine, initially don't let pup have access to the crate unless you're monitoring. After feeding pup in the crate a couple of times, put pup in the crate with the toy and close the door, just for a minute or two, then open the door again - it is important not to make too much of a fuss when the pup is let out of the crate, just say 'good boy/girl'. Each time the pup brings toy out of the crate, take it away again - that toy/toys is reserved for use in the crate.
Gradually increase the time you leave pup in the crate with the door closed, each time with either food in there or the toy/s or both. Initially stay in the same room as the pup, then as pup gets used to being in the crate, start to leave the room for short periods each time.
The first few nights will be the most difficult, but are the most critical in crate training. Your pup will probably cry! This is because he/she is not used to being alone. You can, if you choose, buy things that mimic a mothers heartbeat, and/or a hot water bottle (be careful not to scold the puppy - wrap it well in a towel) which may make this transition a little easier. I have allowed my dogs to cry, knowing that they have a drink available and they are warm and safe. If you go to a crying pup you will teach them that you will come to them each time they cry... this can lead to crying when you are out for longer periods. Always let your puppy go to the toilet just before bed time.
The first few times you leave the house should only be for short periods, again, this time will need to be increased gradually. First time, put pup in the crate and say 'bye bye' or something you will say each time you leave the house (by using particular word/words each time, you are teaching your pup that this routine means you WILL be coming back - dogs that haven't been trained properly to be left on their own can suffer from seperation anxiety)
Start putting pup in the crate for his/her sleeps, after they have been fed, toileted and played with, then when they wake up, let them straight outside so they can go to the toilet.
If pup cries while in the crate, ignore it and let him/her out when they stop crying. If pup barks in there, wait until they are quiet, say good boy/girl and pop a little treat in there... repeat each time they're quiet, let them out when they are quiet.
Once you have completed all of these steps (without rushing through them) you should be able to leave pup in the crate for short periods while you are doing housework, out shopping/work etc and pup should be quite happy with it.