“A Guide For Crate Training”
by Midwest Pet Homes
Be sure to remove the collars, tags, and leads from your
pet before placing it in the crate to prevent possible
entanglement.
Step 1: Acquaint your puppy with his new home.
Simply start from early puppyhood and have your puppy
sleep and rest in his home. Almost without trying, he
will train himself to seek security and comfort inside
his little “dog room.” Encourage your puppy to go into
his home on his own. If necessary, toss a little treat
in the home. DO NOT FORCE HIM! He may quickly back out
or be shy, but that’s normal. Just take it slowly. At
first, don’t close the door on him. Let him go in and
out on his own. Once he is happy and unafraid of his new
home, simply restrain him at the door with your hand.
Make him stay in the home for a few minutes, then
gradually increase the time and praise him! Once he is
comfortable with this (probably a few hours or days of
short training sessions) simply restrain him at the door
with the door, again praising him lavishly. Soon, he
will be secure in his home with the door closed. Slowly
you can get further and further away from him, always
praising his accepting behavior. Eventually, the pup
will sit quietly and sleep in his home with the door
closed.
Step 2: Direct his elimination
Understand that little puppies need to “go” about every
2-4 hrs. On a schedule, such as after feeding, before
bedtime, 1st thing in the morning, etc., let your puppy
out, teach him the route to the door, praise him at the
door and take him out to the part of the yard that you
want him to use. Very quickly, you are teaching him an
elimination schedule that will stay with him for the
rest of his life. As your puppy gets older (4-6mo) you
can gradually leave him in his home for longer periods
of time because he can “hold it” longer. Soon he can be
in his home all day, when necessary, until someone
arrives to let him out.
Some of the DO’s and
DON'Ts of Crate
Training
DO…get your puppy used to his new home gradually. Plan
on taking plenty of quality time with him the first few
days to get him accustomed to his new surroundings.
DO…supervise your puppy any time he is free in your
home. Supervision is what allows you to direct behavior.
Chewing, elimination, barking, and all other behaviors
are all dependent on your direction. If allowed to be
unsupervised, he will begin to direct his own behavior
and schedule.
DO…provide soft, washable bedding in the home so that it
is comfortable and warm. Make the inside of the home as
cozy as you can. Keep it clean and free of fleas.
DON’T…put “housebreaking pads” or newspaper in your
pet’s home. We are trying to take advantage of the
puppy’s natural instinct NOT to go in his home.
DON’T…leave your very young puppy in his home all day.
At 6 weeks, a puppy can hold his bladder about 4 hours,
by 8 weeks-5 hours, by 12 weeks-6 hours, and by 5-6
months a puppy should be able to “hold it” for an 8 hour
work day. Your puppy also need time to play and
exercise.
DON’T…let your new puppy roam through your house
unsupervised. Keep an eye on him so that when he sniffs
and circles (an indication he is about to go) you can
quickly and gently guide him to the door and outside.
DON’T…punish your puppy by putting or forcing him into
his home. Your puppy’s home should not be associated
with punishment or anything negative.
Midwest nor I will accept liability or warrant any loss
resulting from reading or following the advice of this
brochure. These are only guidelines and should not be
substituted for your own judgment.
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