Crate Train Puppy - One Method of Housebreaking

Crate training uses a small crate or cage to housebreak puppies. The crate train puppy method actually works quite well.
The crate train puppy method of housebreaking a pup involves putting the animal in a crate or cage that is just big enough for the puppy to lie down in. The theory is that a puppy will not soil its bedding because it does not want to lie down in the urine or feces to sleep.

The crate train puppy method actually works quite well. The puppy learns that he can control his bladder and bowels for a longer time period than he thought possible. Immediately before the puppy is put in the crate or cage, and immediately when the puppy is let out of the crate or cage he should be taken outside to his favorite "outhouse" patch of grass.

It's important for the crate train puppy housebreaking to work, that the crate or cage be only large enough for the puppy to lie down in. If the cage is too large the puppy may urinate or defecate in the corner and go lie down at the other end of the cage. Of course as the puppy gets bigger the cage must also get bigger but it shouldn't take too many cages for the puppy to be housebroken.

The crate method requires that food or water never be put in the cage with the puppy. It is strictly a small "jail" until the housebreaking process is complete. This means that whenever the puppy is inside the house and cannot be watched directly, he goes into the crate. If you are cooking, bathing or performing other activities, which keep you from direct observation of the puppy, it is crate time. Overnight sleeping is definitely crate time.

As your faith in your puppy's ability to not urinate or defecate in the house grows, leave him out of the crate for longer and longer periods of time. It won't be long until you can have your puppy out of the cage most of the time. Your puppy will then start to signal you that he needs to go outside when potty time arrives. Before you know it, your puppy will be all grown up and you'll look back fondly on the way you "taught" your now grown dog to behave appropriately.

To learn other methods to housebreak a puppy and learn things related to training puppies and dogs, including behavior problems, from an expert in the field, please visit: http://www.PuppyDogBehavior.com

By Anthony Pace
Published: 8/19/2008
 
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