Crate Training
HOUSE BREAKING YOUR PUPPY

Deborah J. Carter
Canterbury Labradors
Veterinary Technician
Copyright 2000 

  There is a quick and easy way to house break a puppy.  The pet industry has provided a portable den, called a crate, that works in conjunction with the puppy’s natural instincts.  For some people a crate is a cage and “I wouldn’t put my puppy in a cage.”  However, it is not cruel and, in the long term, will pay big dividends.

 A crate actually lessens the work involved to housebreak and train a new puppy.  In the wild, dogs are den animals who naturally seek out small and confined cave-like enclosures to crawl into.  It is only natural your puppy would like a place of his own.  A place where young children won’t bother him either and he feels safe.

 A young puppy should normally have no problems accepting a crate as “his own special place.”  Any complaining he might do in the beginning is caused not by the crate itself, but the fact  you have now put controls and restrictions in his new environment.  You should ignore this complaining.  If you return to the crate to tell the puppy how bad he’s being, you only reinforce his complaining.  It doesn’t matter to your puppy just how he got your attention, only that he succeeded in doing so.

 Place the crate in a “people area” as the kitchen or family room.  If possible, use an old towel or blanket which can be washed.  You may also place an old article of your clothing inside so he has your scent close by for comfort.  Do not use newspapers, as the puppy will shred them and make a mess.

 Establish a routine by closing the puppy in the crate at regular times during the day.  Use his nap time as your guideline and also whenever you must leave him alone during the day.  Give him a toy or a cow hoof to play with.  Remove all collars and tags, as they can become caught or your puppy could swallow them.  As soon as he wakes from his nap or you return home, the puppy should immediately be taken outside to “his area” to relieve himself, as even a brief delay could result in an accident.

 When the puppy has done his business outside, be sure to praise him. Tell him what a good puppy he is, then the two of you can come back inside and play.  Keep him in the same room you are in, so there won’t be any surprises in another room.  Remember, if you don’t actually see him having an accident inside, do not scold him.  If you are busy and can’t be with him, put him in his crate.  Never use his crate as a form of discipline.  If you do, you will destroy his sense of security and you’ll have a chronic barker on your hands.

 I use the crate until the dog is about one year old.  After one year, you can start letting him have more freedom in the house when you leave him alone for short times.  The slower you are in allowing him full run of your household, the better behaved he will be as an adult.