Dog kennel training, also known as Crate training, is definitely the best way to get started with house training your new puppy or even for potty training an older dog. Dog kennel training also has various other uses besides potty training. For example, if your puppy is inside his kennel, he cannot get at any of your stuff and chew it up. When the kennel training is done properly, the dog will be so comfortable with his kennel, that he will picture the kennel as his den.
Make the kennel feel to your dog like a den in nature, a safe and comfortable place where he feels secure. Never place your pet inside the kennel when you are angry about his behavior. If you make that mistake, you will be creating a negative type of impression about the kennel. Instead of feeling like a secure den, his kennel will now feel like a jail. You should avoid confusing your dog in that way. Remember, just like with the other types of obedience training, you should always be consistent if you want good results.
Select a kennel from your local pet store before you even bring home your new puppy. Pick out a kennel based on your dog’s size at maturity.The kennel needs to be large enough for your full grown pet to stand up, turn around and comfortably lay down in. The sizes range from small dog size up to much larger sizes for the bigger breeds. Partition the kennel so your puppy just has enough room to stand, turn around and lay down in. By keeping the space restricted, you are helping to deter the puppy from soiling his crate. If the puppy has too much room in the kennel, he may use one corner as a makeshift potty. Dog kennel training works because dogs hate soiling in their dens, so you use this natural trait to house train your pet. You want to make sure he doesn’t somehow get used to using his kennel as a toilet.
You can let the puppy enter the kennel on his own for the first inspection. A couple of treats placed just inside will entice your pup to enter on his own for the first time. You should already have some chew toys and a puppy blanket in the kennel so it seems like the kind of place he might enjoy hanging out. When your puppy enters give him another treat and plenty of praise.
Let him enter and exit his crate a few times before you close the door with him inside. To avoid the puppy getting nervous inside the kennel on the first session, only close him in for short periods so he can gradually get used to it. It is a good idea to put his kennel in a room where the family is most active, so he doesn’t feel lonely and start to whine. By being close to you or your family he will be more secure-a part of everything, and he will be less likely to whine.
Your younger puppy will need frequent chances to go potty outside. To be really safe, with young puppies 2 months and younger, taking them out every hour or so wouldn’t be a bad idea to stay on the safe side of things. A rule of thumb of an hour per month of age between the puppy’s toilet breaks is often stated, but make sure to pay attention to your own puppy’s schedule. As your puppy’s body develops he will be able to go longer between breaks.
Puppies may whine at times while inside their kennels, but you need to ignore it and not make the mistake of letting him out or giving him your sympathy. The reason you should ignore him is to avoid reinforcing the whining and teaching him that whining gets him attention. Unless it is his regular time for a potty break (always be aware of how long it has been since your pup’s last break), you should not reinforce the whining. Before long, you will know how to recognize the different sound of the potty break whine from the “let me out of here” whine.
Dog kennel training is something you should consider using with your new puppy. The benefits of easily house training your puppy, and also keeping your possessions safe from sharp little puppy teeth are two obvious advantages of dog kennel training.
To find the best guide for house training your puppy easily and quickly, click here.
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