Puppy Crate Training: Leaving Your Puppy Alone

Although most owners want to spend as much time with their puppy as possible, there will be times that you have to leave them alone. Puppy crate training provides an ideal option to prevent some of the more destructive types of puppy behavior that often occur when puppies become bored or are left unsupervised.

Crate Training And Problem Prevention 

Puppy crate training starts with getting the puppy to understand the crate is a relaxing and calm place to be that is positive. Most puppies, and dogs for that matter, naturally want to have their own space, similar to a den or an enclosed area. Crate training just standardizes this spot and makes it truly the puppy's own. By teaching your puppy to stay relaxed in the crate while you are gone for short periods of time you will:

• Help with toilet training issues as the puppy is less likely to soil in their crate than in a remote area of the room or house.
• Prevent the puppy from chewing on things he or she should not be. This is a typical puppy behavior that is very frustrating and expensive for the owner.
• Provide security and comfort for the puppy since he or she is in a familiar and comfortable space.
• Decrease worry on the part of the owner as to what the puppy may be getting into or doing.
• Prevents injury to the puppy if they eat something, chew something or even get into spaces that they shouldn't be while unsupervised.

Tips for Crate Training Your Puppy

Some of the key issues that owners that are using puppy crate training routines need to focus on include: 

• Gradually work up to leaving the puppy alone for longer periods of time. Never start out by leaving the puppy in the crate for more than a few minutes to avoid problems such as barking, whining and anxiety issues.
• Keep in mind that while in the crate the puppy may need to use the bathroom, don't punish if he or she has soiled the crate, just carefully monitor their routines and avoid feeding immediately before you are leaving. You also need to check as you may be leaving the puppy alone for too long, expecting too much from the puppy.
• Never leave the puppy in the crate for long periods of time. Since what is long to a puppy will differ depending on their age and adjustment to the crate, be very careful in increasing time in the crate.
• Reward the puppy for being in the crate by adding a few safe toys, some treats and keep the crate in an area of the house that the puppy can still see what is going on.

There are many terrific books on puppy crate training and puppy behavior that can help you and your puppy in being successful in crate training. Once your puppy is comfortable with the crate, you can leave the house and rest assured that everything will be safe and your puppy will be out of mischief while you are away.