Puppies are so adorable and fun, and you just cannot help but love them! There is, however, a not-so-cute thing about these darling pups; young dogs often go to the bathroom in the house instead of outside and cry through the night in a new home. A solution to both of these problems is puppy crate training. Check out our top 3 tips for puppy crate training below.
- Start early. We recommend crate training when a dog is still a young pup. Starting young allows your dog to feel like their crate is their safe-space, and not forced isolation from their owners. Though it might be tempting to have your cute little pup cuddle up with you in your bed at night, it might not be the best option for your or your dog in the long run.
- Do not use the crate as punishment. When puppy crate training, do not use time alone in the crate as punishment for bad behavior; this will send mixed messages to your dog, and their crate will not feel like a safe space. Furthermore, to encourage that the crate is a happy place, many dog owners like to fill it with some of their pet’s most well-loved toys to ensure they have a positive association with their time in their crate.
- Be consistent. The best puppy crate training tip we can give you is to be consistent. Help your dog learn to love their crate with a consistent schedule, regular bathroom breaks outside, exercise, and always ensuring that they sleep in their crate.
