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Tips on crate training your dog
A crate can either be metal of plastic they come in various sizes and you should always make sure that you have the right size in order for your dog to feel comfortable and calm. All pet stores have crates and the price varies depending on the size of your dog. Many dogs and puppy's see a crate as there own persona cave and feel very comfortable in it and prefer to sleep in it at night, although you can put the crate close to you at night to help stop any separation anxiety. You also use the crate during the day if you have to leave for an extended period of time. When house training if you choose a metal crate I would suggest you put a blanket over the top of it to create a den like atmosphere. The dog should be able to stand up in the crate as well as stretch out and sleep. Remember puppies grow up fast so you should by a crate based on the size that your dog will be when full grown.
Getting him used to the crate starts with; first making the crate a nice inviting place for him. Soft bedding and his favorite chew toy. Leave the door open and try to get him to go in voluntarily, and get him to stay either with a toy or food reward. Leave the door open the first few times. Once he is starting to do this close the door for a few minutes, extending the time that you leave the door closed, pretty soon he will go in by himself to escape the noise, retreating instead to the safety and comfort of his new den.
The best way to house train your dog
A dog that is not house-trained is a tough thing to deal with. Fortunately house-training is not very hard to accomplish, but you need to put in the effort. Of all the dogs I have trained, it never took me more than a week or two to house train a dog or puppy.
About 20 minutes after the dog eats is a good time to walk him. Look for certain signs like pacing and circling and sniffing the floor. You also need to be aware of when your dogs usually goes to the bathroom. Usually after they eat and first thing in the morning, after any physical activity or play and within about ten minutes of drinking water.
Offering your puppy a treat or lots of praise when he takes himself to your preferred area will also reinforce this training. For most people housebreaking begins with a puppy. So remember a puppy eats more meals a day than a grown dog so the puppy requires more opportunities to relieve himself. Watch your dogs digestive cycle and try to work out a regular feeding schedule that will permit you to take him out about the time he generally needs to go. Keep him in sight as much as possible. Scolding a dog for soiling your rug is useless and counter productive. You have to catch him in the act.
Confining a dog or puppy to a crate when he is alone will also will help before he is housebroken. Most dogs as a rule do not like to be in close proximity to the mess they make and will restrain themselves until they are let out. If you do not have a crate you may use papers such as Scott towels or puppy training pads. Dogs usually have a tendency to go on the papers. Do not give your dog the run of the house, most dogs left to their own devices will choose the softness of your rug over the cold uninviting feel of the linoleum in your kitchen. Also keep the papers close to the door leading to outside. Next drop a few soiled papers in the part of your yard where you would like him to relieve himself. Then when you are able to observe him take the papers away. When he looks like its time for him to leave you a little present, take him out to where the papers were and let him relieve himself, once he has finished praise him (again) like he has just saved your life. Soon he will know that his signs of agitation as he seeks the papers will get a response from you to let him out. Also a few words such as "you need to go out, or lets go do our duty" will help set the tone of what you want him to do. Once you get him started down the right path by consistently using this method, you will have a house trained dog.
Click here if you have more time to devote to house training your dog. I offer more tips for putting your puppy on a schedule.
If you catch him relieving himself inside your house DO NOT HIT YOUR DOG OR DO SOMETHING SILLY LIKE PUSHING HIS NOSE DOWN INTO THE MESS, This will just cause mistrust and can undo weeks of hard work. Simply say NOOO!! or some other command that means don’t do that, forceful and loudly and take him immediately outside. Then stay outside with your dog until he goes no matter how long it takes!! it doesn't matter if he urinates or defecates as soon as he does let him know what a good boy he is. Be consistent and you won't have any problems housebreaking your dog. Your dog will learn very fast the difference between where he needs to take care of his business.
Click here to learn the easiest way to crate train your dog.