Crate training Puppies-Way To Sleep Well
Crate training puppies is not the easiest amongst puppy training schedules. It needs patience, discipline and empathy.
Crate training puppies is not only a disciplinary measure but a way to make the puppy feel secure in his new environment. Dogs belong to the wolf family and therefore have a tendency of caving into a corner to rest. A crate serves this need of theirs. The crate becomes a puppy’s favorite place as he finds it comfortable, safe and fun. To ensure that the puppy looks forward to being in the crate the owner should make it attractive.
Crate training puppies Lure
Crate training puppies can become easy if owners make crates attractive. Lining the crate with soft rugs and chewable toys will help in luring the puppy to the crate. Rewarding the puppy every time he enters the crate is also an effective way of getting him to become crate trained. The ideal crate size varies with the breed. The crate is usually a rectangular structure that can house the puppy in its fully grown stage. It should never be too big since a big crate can pose potty training issues. Neither should it be too small or crammed.
Apart from a getting a comfortable crate, the owner must ensure that the crate is placed close to the bed or should be placed inside the room. Social isolation is a threat in case of dogs that are put in crates placed outside in isolation in the initial days of crate training puppies.
Crate training puppies And Crate anxiety
Crate training puppies can make the puppy anxious. It is natural for him to resist the crate in the initial few weeks. However the anxiety levels can be alleviated by letting the crate door open for a while and shutting it as the puppy settles down. While doing crate training puppies so one must constantly talk to the puppy in a pleasing tone. This will make the puppy feel at ease.
Anxiety levels increase at night. Crate training puppies at night is not an isolated act and should be in continuation with the day training. The anxiety levels can be alleviated by taking puppies out to relieve them. Another important point to remember is that a crate should never be used to punish dogs. It’s their home and building negativity around it can be detrimental. A dog’s attitude towards its crate should always be positive.
Caging or crating?
Some believe that crate training puppies is an act of cruelty. But animal behaviourists and dog training experts say that crating a dog is akin to putting a baby in its crib. It is therefore a natural process and should be done to provide a safe haven for the dog. It has been seen that dogs tend to seek their crates long after they have been house trained since they find it comforting after a while.
Crate training puppies makes it easier for the masters to travel with their puppies. Crate trained puppies are also easy to handle in times of illness.