The Crate Training Process
Crate training is another method of housetraining your dog which is based also on the fact that dogs do not like to soil their sleeping areas. Your puppy will be placed in a crate for a specified period of time. You should start by getting your puppy or dog used to the crate first, then put him in there for a few minutes. Gradually increase the length of time your dog spends in the crate until you feel that your dog will be fine if he can stay there for a few hours. Never confine your dog or puppy for periods longer than a few hours. Also remember that puppies have different needs than adult dogs and can need to eliminate as much as every hour. What crate training seeks to achieve is to get your dog used to being crated without eliminating in his own place. Your puppy or dog should hold it until they are released from the crate which also teaches him to develop greater bladder control. Crate training should not turn into permanent confinement, nor should the crate be used for punishment of your puppy. Once the training begins, you must establish a regular feeding routine. By controlling when your dog eats, you will have a better idea of when your dog needs to relieve himself. Observe how long after eating that you dog needs to eliminate. Once you have this down, place your dog in the crate at least an hour before you have calculated that he will need to go. Every time you take your dog out of his crate, make sure to place him on a leash, take him outside and wait for him to eliminate within a few minutes. If this time lapses and your dog has not yet eliminated, put him back in the crate. However, if your puppy eliminates, praise and reward him and then extend the period of time he is outside. Make sure to be consistent with the schedule and to praise and reward your dog for eliminating outside.
Once your dog has developed a habit of eliminating outside, the length of confinement should be slowly reduced until it is no longer necessary and your dog has learned to go outside on his own or to go to the bathroom every time you take him outside. Remember to praise and reward your dog constantly and to avoid reprimanding him if has an accident during the training process. Bear in mind that accident can be due to health related problems or perhaps you left him in the crate for too long. Reprimands will slow the progress while rewards will hasten the progress. Read more about how to training your dog.
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