•                Why Crate Train?

• When you give a puppy a crate, you are giving a den animal his very own den, this is a lovely gift that has many benefits. The crate will become your puppy's safe zone where he can go when he wants some space of his own. If he is in the crate at times when you cannot watch him, you can rest easy knowing he is not chewing something harmful or worse yet... your best shoes! When you travel, his safe, familiar crate will help him feel more comfortable in a strange place. It keeps the peace when small children are visiting and gives your puppy a safe time out when he needs to settle down.  To avert seperation anxiety, puppies need to learn to be left alone and quiet some of the time. An hour in a crate twice a day sets a good foundation. And bonus, your puppy's crate will help hasten housetraining.
• Young puppies are used to snuggling with their littermates and not sleeping alone, so he may be unhappy for a time. The crate is anything but familiar to him so he needs to learn that it is safe and a wonderful place. Follow these tips to help him adjust quicker.
• Give your puppy a treat and chew toy EVERY time you put him in his crate.
• For a few nights before your new puppy arrives, sleep on his blanket so it picks up your smells, then add it to his bedding.
• Feed him in his crate and put him in there when it is time for his chew toy, this makes it a happy place to be.
• When you first put your puppy in the crate toss a toy in and have him go in voluntarily, leaving the door open for several visits. Then close the door and open it immediately, do this for several visits. Gradually close the door for longer periods of time while your puppy eats in his crate or works on his chewies.
• Cover the top and 3 sides of the crate to make it feel even more cozy.
• Put a special toy or chewy in the crate and close the puppy outside so he will want in the crate.

Helpful hints and tips

Some puppies have a period of fear at about 8 weeks of age, they can become very easily stressed at this time. WIth a young puppy, we suggest you try the methods above before crating him for the night. Although our puppies are crate trained, they are used to their littermates being crated with them. Now it is time to learn to discern between normal stress (just wanting your attention) and panic.

Whimpering and barking is to be expected for the first night or two. Be sure to take him out to potty before crating him. Try not to remove him from his crate when he is whimpering or barking, this will train to him to whine or bark. Take him out only after he has quieted down for a few seconds. Click your tongue to distract him and this may help to quiet him down. 

If your puppy must be crated during the day, make arrangements for someone to come by and let him out, as a general rule, he should be crated no more hours than he is age in months plus one, for example, if you have a 4 month old puppy, he should not be crated for longer than 5 hours at a time.

If you ask your puppy to stay too long in his crate, he will have no choice but to relieve himself and this may teach him to overcome his inhibition against soiling his crate.  

When used kindly, your puppy's crate will become one of his favorite places to be, his happy place! If you retire the crate and bring it out later, you will be amazed at how happy he is to see it again.             

Recommended Toys & Treats

Your puppies brain tells him he needs to develop strong chewing muscles for adulthood and your puppy is happy to do so. Chewing relaxes him.

Put kibble or treats inside a Kong or other toy designed for stuffing, be creative with your stuffing, peanut butter, cheese or a favorite dog biscuit are some good choices.

Frozen ice cubes made from broth. A great treat for any age dog on a hot day.

Tie a clean old kitchen towel in a knot, wet and freeze it.

Do not give your puppy your old shoes to chew on, this tells him, it is okay with you if he chews your shoes.

My dogs personal favorite treat is vanilla yogurt or cottage cheese.