Don’t: Use the crate as punishment
Don’t: Keep Puppies under six months of age, in their crate over 4 hours
Don’t: Clutter up the crate. This might seem like a good idea but if puppy has an accident, you’ll have a big mess on your hands
Don’t: Scold the dog if she messes her crate. This is her space after all, and eventually, the dog will figure out that it WAS a big mistake
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Do: Buy a crate where puppy is able to turn its body around comfortably but not so big that it's overwhelming for puppy. Remember puppy will have been around his siblings and mum so cozy is best
Do: Take puppy out every 4 hours if you work outside the home or make sure you have a reliable, responsible adult to help out with this task
Do: Praise puppy if they don’t soil the crate
Do: Use the crate as a positive tool. This helps to create a safe space for the dog. On a rare occasion when one of our dogs has acted out by hurting others on the farm, they usually will ask to be put away by walking themselves to the kennel.
Due to my energy level 🙂
Do: Leave 1 or 2 easy to wash toys for puppy and don’t forget to put a well worn blanket draped on 3 sides for her/his security
2 Main Reasons Crate Training Doesn’t Work For Some:
“It’s so sad to hear him crying." No different than teaching a baby to sleep in his crib. We know why we do it and so we do.
Inconsistency: crate training doesn’t happen overnight, it takes effort on your part to make it work.
🛑 Helpful Training Tips: Start by leaving the house for a few minutes at a time, and gradually increase time away. This is best done during the day. In the beginning regardless if puppy is crying when you come back inside, get puppy out of his crate, hug puppy, speak positive words or non-verbals. Take puppy outside to potty, and then give a reward. Making sure you offer a high value treat for the puppy that is designated for crate training.
**Please, don’t jump from 15 minutes to an hour. This process takes at least 1 week or 2.
Happy Tails 🐾
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