Crate Training A Dog: The Stress Free Way To House Breaking

If you are looking for an easy, reliable way to house break your puppy or new adult canine being introduced to your family, learning how to crate train a dog may be the answer you are looking for. This method is convenient and will save you time and help you avoid cleaning up unwanted “accidents”

Crate training dogs is not a new concept, but one some people are not aware of. The technique takes advantage of a canines natural instincts, meaning a dog will not defecate or urinate in the area in which it eats or sleeps. In essence, his den. Sound simple? It basically is.

Another method of house breaking is “confinement,” where the pup is confined to one small area or room when unsupervised and this is where he eats and sleeps. The draw back to this is you will need either lots of newspaper or expensive training “pads” that need to be changed regularly.

The idea behind crate training a dog is to make the crate your dogs “den.” By instinct, he will not use his place of residence as a toilet. The key to making this technique successful is to establish a routine and stick to it.

Take the pup outside to relieve himself before you are to depart. Keep in mind that they don’t always go when we want them to, so have plenty of time to make sure he goes potty before you leave.

Upon returning, take him outside again. Most likely he will do his business for sure if it has been a few hours. Give plenty of praise when he does so. Always use positive reinforcement in any situation. This provides good self esteem and establishes a good relationship between the two of you.

Keep the pup in the crate whenever he will not be supervised, and at night as well. He will not get the opportunity to soil your floors. This is not cruel. It is teaching him that home is not the place to go potty.

Spend as much time as you can with your dog outside of the crate, and pay attention to obvious signals that he needs to go out, such as sniffing and circling. Whining is the most obvious.

Crate training an older dog works in the same manner, and for a lot of pet owners, very quickly as well, if you stick to a routine. Keeping track of the dog’s toileting habits is a good idea, and also a regular feeding schedule, as eating and toileting often coincide.

Let your pooch run free in the house after he uses the proper toileting area, and go about playing and interacting with you and the family. Only crate him when you will be away, and do not leave your dog in the crate for extended periods, because they cannot hold their bowels indefinitely.

copyright Danny Taylor