Crate-training 101, or "Your dog's crate is your best friend."

Dogs and other pack animals have developed the behavior of sleeping in dens. So taking a new puppy and expecting it to be comfortable sleeping in the open on the floor, or on the bed with you is unfair and often will be an unsuccessful endeavor. Using a crate and teaching your new puppy to sleep in it will provide a multitude of benefits for both you AND your puppy. It provides your little pup with his special place where he/she can feel safe, secure and comfortable.

Either a wire crate or the many plastic commercial crates available today can work. Because of the 'security' component, and the closer approximation to a den, I prefer using the plastic crates with wire screen doors and windows. They are also easier to sanitize and move.

Pick a crate that fits your puppy - one where your puppy can turn around easily, but not big enough where he/she can run around like a wild banshee. Too large of a crate will make it more difficult for the pup to feel 'safe' and too small of a crate will be uncomfortable. If you are unsure of what will work, ask your vet for suggestions.

Here are my pointers on things you can do to help make your crate the best friend you AND your puppy can ever have:
- Always, always have the baby sleep in the crate at night – from the first time you bring them home if they don’t have their mommy with them.

- If they have siblings, consider having them sleep in separate crates next to each other

- While they are awake, you can leave the crate near you with the door open. That way they can go in and out when they want.

- After awhile, they often go in on their own to sleep with the door open

- Make the crate really comfy with old towels or other warm, cuddly comfort materials

- Leave some nice toys in the crate whenever you have to close them in

• Not kongs or other toys you play fetch with, but a soft stuffed animal; I have found larger stuffed animals (about 2/3 the size of the puppy) very effective.
• And a chew bone (depending on the ability to chew – don’t let them have one they can break pieces off – rubber or plastic work well). They often chew the bones when they are stressed or bored. It comforts them and helps to keep them quiet. Rubber ball or tennis balls in a tied up sock can also be good, but may teach your pup to go after socks in general.
• Just like little kids, if they seem to have a favorite toy, make sure it goes into the crate whenever they do unless the toy could be a choking hazard.

- They “usually” won’t mess their crate because their genetic behavior is to keep the sleeping den clean so predators can’t smell them

• That being said, it’s not unusual for a slip up (once they do that my experience is that they don’t like it and likely won’t do it again). If they do, change the linens as soon as possible, clean the crate and toys (and the puppy if necessary!) and don’t make a fuss about it.

- Every night when you go to bed, put them in the crate to sleep with the door closed

- Whenever you put the puppy in the crate put a few little treats in there. Soft treats (Trader Joes has some good ones) should be broken into little pieces and placed around the crate like easter eggs. The pieces can be as small as trident gum pieces…it is more about smell and taste than to get full on anything.

• While he is searching them out, quietly and gently close the door.
• Never give him treats through the grate of the crate – only inside. If you do give him treats through the grate, he will whine for them.

- Turn the lights out or down

- Say goodnight!

- This is up to you, but I strongly recommend (and have always been successful more quickly ) if at night they are close enough to see and hear someone sleeping in the room with them.

- If you get a whiner, try blocking their direct vision of you with a box or by draping something over that side of the crate, leaving the other sides of the crate exposed so they can still hear you.

- When it’s time to get up, go directly to them, praise them and take them out to pee as soon as possible.

• Young puppies can only hold their bladders a few hours depending on age and individual tendencies. It’s like a baby, you might have to wake up in the middle of the night, give them a little snack and take them out. Then back to the crate

- Many times the puppy whines in the middle of the night because their blood sugar is down. For a healthy pup, they usually should be fed every 8 hours – consistently.

• If you avoid free-feeding and feed on a regular schedule, the puppy will most likely also quickly develop a poop reflex. The puppies will be ready to poop soon as they finish eating.
• So, it becomes an easy routine, give the pup food. Then take the pup immediately outside ( when I have multiple pups, I make it easier by feeding them out on the grass and never inside until they are potty trained). Wait till they pee and poop (patience, patience).
• Then praise them, give them a treat and take them back in to play or the crate to sleep.

- Always take the puppy in the crate when you need to drive in your car – resist the temptation to have them ride next to you until they are older and trained to sit still and not pee.

• Again, make sure they have “safe” toys in the crate and that you carry extra towels and a plastic bag in case you have to make a quick clean up of the linens
• Put the treats in the crate to get them in, but don’t add more during the trip.
• Again, it is probably better if they can see and hear you.

- Schedule is EVERYTHING until they are big enough to keep their blood sugar and other bodily processes going steadily. So, if you can keep them to as close to a feeding sleeping schedule as possible, it will pay dividends in both a healthy and calm puppy.

- If you can’t go to sleep when the puppy has to, simply put them in their crate and turn down the lights. You can work quietly or watch TV in the same room.

- If they wake up during the night NEVER let them sleep with you. If they fall asleep in your arms, transfer them into the crate, make sure little treats are in there and close the door.

- If they get up and it is not time for them to eat, take them outside ON A LEASH. Don’t let them run around.

• Once they do their business, or show that they aren’t going to do their business, repeat the process you use when you first put them to sleep.

Any other crating tips out there?