Having a new puppy is pretty much like giving birth to a new baby. You have to care for them well and teach them all the basics so they may grow up with the best behavior. Puppy crate training is one of the few earliest activities a puppy has to go through so they understand the concept of soil space. During the training, you need to be aware of the dos and don’ts of puppy crate training.

If you can complete the crate training properly, it would also help you a lot since teaching them guarantees their safety and security. You won’t have to worry about them spoiling the house while you are out for errands if they are properly crate-trained.

Crate training teaches the use of a crate as a primary tool for housetraining. This can also be a transportation means for when you want to take your pet for a ride in the car.

4 Dos And Don’ts of Puppy Crate Training

Making any mistake in crate training may affect your puppy’s entire training process. Dos and don’ts of puppy crate training you need to remember when you introduce crate training to your dog.

1. Do Check That They’re Not in The Crate for Too Long

Being alone can trigger anxiety in dogs. For example, cocker spaniels love company, and leaving them in the crate all day would stress them out and make them anxious. Also, being in the crate limits their movement, so they might eventually fall into depression. Choosing a leash for your dog might be a temporary solution but you can employ a pet sitter or leave them at a dog daycare instead of leaving them by themselves in a crate.

2. Don’t Use the Crate as Punishment

The crate is used as a tool for good grooming, and should not be associated with punishment in any way. Telling your puppy to get in the crate every time they misbehave is bad practice and should never be done. It will instill fear and would lead them to refuse to enter a crate if used as punishment.

3. Do Feed Your Pet His Meals Inside the Crate

As you go through the process of introducing the crate to your dog, you could also start feeding them while they are in the crate. This works as a positive association with the crate. If at the start they show signs of anxiety, push the dish halfway or as far as they’re willing to enter. Eventually, they learn to anticipate meals in the crate.

4. Don’t Yell at Them or Pound the Crate When They Are Whining

If your pet cries or whines while in the crate, it could be one of two things: either they want to eliminate, or they want to be let out. If it happens to be your dog testing you, try ignoring them for a few seconds and the whining may stop. If it doesn’t, you can try saying a phrase that they associate with elimination, and watch how they react. If they become excited, it’s a clear indication that they need to be let out to eliminate. For more guidance on managing your dog’s behavior, including tips on training your dog to ignore other dogs, check out our detailed guide. Yelling at them, or pounding and shaking the crate only makes them develop fear and defeats the purpose of crate training.

Final Thoughts

Crate training your pet is a useful way to help them adapt to home living. There are dog breeds such as the cocker spaniel that adapt well and are easily trainable, but there are also some that are harder to train. The trick is to have enough patience so that crate training becomes a learning process not only for your dog but for you as well.  Hopefully, you have understood crate training dos and don’ts to apply in your training session properly.