Should You Use a Dog Training Crate?
A dog training crate is a popular method of training puppies. It is easier to use this method of training on puppies than on older dogs, because older dogs may have developed a fear of being put into a cage, especially if they were abused or if they were adopted from a shelter where they had spent a long time. If you have a puppy, though, you may find that crate training makes the whole process easier and not only gets your dog to avoid bad behaviors, but to follow good ones more readily.
Training a dog using a crate is especially useful for potty training. You have to be consistent about the use of the crate when using it for any form of training, but especially for house training, or it won’t work. The use of the crate for this purpose is based around the idea that dogs will not relieve themselves in the place where they sleep, as long as they have another place to go. So, when you want to keep your dog from going in the house, put him in the crate for a brief period of time, so he will feel compelled to hold in whatever he needs to let out. Then, after a short while, take him out of the crate and place him where you would like him to go. He will eventually associate the place he is taken after the crate with the place where he is supposed to relieve himself.
A dog training crate is recommended by veterinarians and is in no way considered cruel. You can also use it for other training purposes, such as to discourage the dog from chewing on things he’s not supposed to chew and to relax when you’re not around. A dog should feel comfortable in his crate, and it should be a place of comfort and security for him, so he will feel good about being put in there whenever you are not nearby to watch what he is doing. It is a perfect place to put a puppy at night, as well. In fact, a lot of puppies look forward to their crate time.
