Raising Puppies

Crate training is the act of teaching your puppy to enter her enclosure and enjoy spending time in it. If you properly introduce the crate and train your puppy to enjoy confinement, she'll consider it her safe den. If you simply put her in the crate without making it a positive experience, she could grow fearful of it or begin to dislike it. Crate train your puppy so that both of you can make the most of this useful tool.

Begin crate training the very first night you bring your puppy home. If you let her sleep on your bed the first few nights, and then realize that it's not a good idea because she's peeing on the bedspread, she will have a harder time understanding why you're suddenly asking her to sleep in her crate.

Where to Put the Crate

First, decide where you want to keep her crate. It should be in a place where your family gathers regularly, rather than isolated by itself. Some puppy parents choose to get two cratesone for the family's common area and one for a bedroomso that they don't have to move the crate at bedtime. Whether to let your puppy sleep in your bedroom is a personal choice. Most puppies would prefer to be near you, but if you don't like the idea, that's fine. But start with one plan and stick to it, or you'll confuse your puppy.

What to Put in the Crate

The following are some items to consider putting in your puppy's crate.

Bedding

Be very careful before putting bedding in your dog's crate. If she chews or shreds a blanket or dog bed, she could swallow pieces and cause a stomach obstruction. Your puppy will be fine without bedding and can earn the right to have it later, once she's less prone to destructive behavior.

Food and Water

It's fine to feed your puppy in her crate. Per her feeding schedule, put the food in her crate for about ten 10 minutes and then remove it. You don't want to leave food for her all day or she'll have to poop all day.

Some puppies do fine with water in their crates, while others prefer to splash it everywhere. Some crates come with plastic bowls that attach to the crate door. If your puppy chews the plastic, try a metal coop cup instead. If she still makes a wet mess, don't leave water in her crate. Make sure that you're following a realistic crate schedule for your puppy and that she gets plenty of fresh water when outside the crate each day.

Toys

Your puppy will love having toys in her crate. Be sure that they are safe for unsupervised chewing.