When it comes to housetraining your dog, there are many options to choose from. One of the most effective options, and also one of the easiest to implement, is the crate-training method. If you are looking for a housetraining method that is likely to have your puppy fully housetrained within a matter of weeks, consider crate training.
The Details
- Confining your puppy to a crate will help prevent accidents. Dogs have a natural aversion to soiling their beds, so by keeping your puppy in a crate overnight, he will be more likely to try to control his bladder.
- It is easy to implement. Crate training doesn’t require the use and purchase of puppy-training pads or any special equipment ¾ you just need a crate!
- Crate training will also teach your puppy discipline. If you use a certain word or phrase each time you put your puppy in the crate, he will eventually learn to associate that word with the crate and can learn to go into the crate on command.
- Crating limits your puppy’s access to the house. By keeping your puppy in a crate overnight and during long absences, you can be sure he isn’t getting into trouble.
- Your dog can learn to love his crate. As long as you don’t use the crate as punishment, your dog is likely to view it as a safe place where he can go for solitude and rest.
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- Crate training can be very quick. Depending on how consistent you are in implementing the crate-training method, you can housetrain your puppy in a matter of days or weeks.
- Crating may help prevent separation anxiety. By giving your dog a safe place to stay while you are away, it may help ease his anxiety at your departure. To prevent your dog from becoming anxious about your absence, keep your arrivals and departures as low-key as possible.It is easy to get your puppy to like the crate. To get your puppy to like his crate, try feeding him a few meals in the crate (with the door open) or play games involving hiding treats in the crate for him to find.
- Crate training can be used for dogs of all ages. Because dogs of any age can be trained with the right amount of consistency and repetition, crate training is an effective housetraining method for both puppies and adult dogs.
- You can rent a crate to save money. When crate training your puppy, it is important to choose a crate that is just large enough for your puppy to stand up and turn around in. As your puppy grows, you will need a larger crate, so renting is a cost-effective option.
The Bottom Line
No matter which housetraining method you choose, you have to be consistent if you want your puppy to learn. Not only do you need to consistently confine your puppy to the crate overnight and during long absences, but you also need to be consistent about rewarding him for doing his business outdoors. This will teach him to repeat his behavior to earn your approval.
