Crate Training Puppies – The Housetraining Solution

Crate training puppies is one of the easiest ways to deal with the challenge of housetraining a young puppy or even an older dog that has not be housebroken. Crate training works on the puppy's or dog's natural tendency to want to keep his or her own den area clean and free from soiling or waste material. Basically the crate replaces the "den" or whelping box, which the mother has already taught the puppy to keep clean.

Getting Started

The key components in using crate training successfully for a housetraining program include:

•  Crate training puppies needs to be comfortable and stress free for the puppy, especially when they are in the crate or becoming familiar with the crate.

• Line the crate with soft, washable bedding that forms a comfortable sleeping and relaxing area for the puppy or dog.

•  Allow the puppy to enter and leave the crate at will, provide a few treats and toys in the crate to encourage the puppy or dog to go in, don't force the animal in.

•  Spend some time around the crate with the puppy so he or she is comfortable in the area.

•  Once they are going in on their own, close the door for a few seconds and then open it and praise the puppy.

•  Gradually increase the amount of time the puppy is in the crate, encourage this to be the puppy's sleeping and safe area.

By making the crate a positive place, crate training your puppy will be simple and effective, but it will take effort on your part.

Crate Training and Puppy Housetraining

Once your puppy is going into the crate and is staying in there on their own you are ready to start the housetraining program. To do this it is important to feed the puppy on a schedule and know approximately how long after eating and drinking the puppy waits before toileting. Most puppies will have a delay of ten to twenty minutes, but smaller breeds may have to go to the bathroom within five minutes after eating. With this information then:

•  Feed the puppy as usual, placing him or her in the crate that is in a visible yet quiet area of the room.

•  Provide toys in the crate and monitor the puppy for any signs of anxiety or restlessness that may indicate they need to toilet.

• Just before the time you know the puppy normally goes to the bathroom after eating, remove him or her from the crate and take them outside to the toilet area.

•  Wait five minutes and if the puppy doesn't go, return him or her to the crate without any negative consequences, then keep repeating this process every five minutes.

•  If the puppy does go to the bathroom on the first trip, or when they do, give lots of praise and return them to the house, and leave the crate open in case they want to rest or relax.

Remember crate training puppies requires that the person in the house is on top of the crate training program. If you wait too long and the puppy does soil in the crate, don't punish the puppy, just clean the mess and start over. Housetraining can be simple using the crate training method, but be prepared for accidents and mistakes; learn and go on.