Ez Dog Training at Home - Crate Training Your New Puppy

In order for crate training to work, your puppy should be in its create anytime you are unable to supervise him/her. Unless your puppy is playing, sleeping, going potty or eating he or she should be in its create.

Consistency is the key for effective create training. Your puppy should never be allowed to wander of in the house unless under direct supervision with your full attention.

Allowing your puppy access to the entire house is encouraging him/her to relieve themselves inside, don't forget, every time your puppy relives it's self inside the house it will be easier for them to do it again and again. (making your house breaking more challenging than needs to be.)

Keeping your puppy on a schedule can speed up the process of house breaking your new puppy. Here is an idea of a what a new puppies schedule should look like.

7am-wake up, puppy goes outside with you to go potty(praise when puppy goes.)
7:25-Breakfast time.
7:45-Back outside for another potty break with you.(praise when he goes again.)
7:50-8:45-playtime! puppy is out of the crate with you, playing and cuddling.
8:45-outside for another potty break.(and yes praise him/her again if they go potty.)
8:50-11:00-Puppy goes back in the crate for a nap.
11am-You and your puppy go back outside for another potty break.
11:05-12:30- Playtime, more bonding time and playtime.
12:30-Lunch
12:45-You and your puppy go back outside for another potty break(praise)
1-3:30-Nap time in the crate

You can plan on about two months to complete the potty training process. (depending on breed and time spent training) As time goes on will you develop a sense of how much you can trust your puppy out of the crate.

You may even find that your dog will grow accustom to being in it's crate and prefer being in it's create for a nap. The first few times is going to be a little tough, he or she is going to wiper and whine, hold firm and don't respond to the crying. Remember it is for their own good. The more you respond to the whining the more your puppy will whine.

If possible, locate the create in the heart of the house. Just because your puppy is in the create doesn't mean she should be isolated from the family. The kitchen or den is a good place, anywhere people congregate so your puppy can still feel like they are apart of whats going on in the house.

Your puppies crate should be a warm and inviting place for them to go. Line the bottom of the crate with a blanket or towel, make sure that they have a toy or two, plus a chew of some kind. You should keep the door of the crate open if he/she is not in it. Securely shut the door with your puppy is inside if at anytime you can't supervise.

Puppy bladders are so small and weak that there is a very small window between the time that they know they have to go till the time they go! That is why it is so important that you take your puppy directly out side after waking up, playing and eating. Sniffing in a circle or pawing at the floor and whining are good signs that it is time, and make it quick. I tell my kids,"If there is any doubt, let her out." (its better to have an unnecessary trip outside than an accident on the carpet.)

You can use this helpful equation to figure out the maximum amount of time to leave your puppy in it's crate [puppies age in months + 1] So if your puppy is 3 months old, you can crate your dog for the maximum of 4 hours. Although I would not recommend pushing this window, it can be pretty uncomfortable for him or her emotionally and psychologically being cramped up for that amount of time. Once every two hours is a good rule of thumb, unless they are sleeping of course, let them wake up naturally.

For a more in-depth look at house training, as well as a great deal of useful information on canine behavioral problems and the most effective training techniques, check out The Ultimate House Training Guide. It’s the complete dog-house-training guide..

Step By Step Crate Training