YNP #005: Crate Training: How (and Why) to Make Their Crate Your Dog’s Best Friend Your New Puppy: Dog Training and Dog Behavior Lessons to Help You Turn Your New Puppy into a Well-Behaved Dog

When we think of crate training, we usually think of potty training our puppy.  It makes sense because these two things go hand and hand.  Using a crate is the best and most efficient way to potty train our dogs.  In this episode, I want to convince you that crate training goes way beyond potty training.  If done correctly a crate can be an essential training tool and a way to give you peace of mind long after potty training is over.  In this episode of Your New Puppy I will go over:* Benefits to crate training your dog (and keep them crate trained).* Pros and cons of the main types of crates.* Where in your house your crate should go.* How to make your dog LOVE his crate.* Tips if your dog doesn't love his crate right now.

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Resistance to Crate TrainingI understand a lot of new dog owners can have resistance to using a crate altogether.A lot of people see it as a cage or think it's unfair to the dog.  Especially if you adopted them from a shelter. I hear this a lot that, “they were in a cage in the shelter. I don't want to have them in one at home…” I want you to look at it from a different perspective. We have cribs and playpens for our children to give them a place where they can play or sleep.  We have peace of mind knowing that they are safe while they're in there. A crate is for a dog is no different.That’s why I'm going to give you some tips and pointers to make this a great oasis for your dog. That way your dog's going to love it and you're going to have peace of mind. It's a win-win situation.Benefits to Crate Training Your DogThe most common reasons for crate training is to help with potty training and keep them safe (and our stuff safe) while they are still in the chewing stage. What happens is, once he's house trained and you trust him to be in the house unsupervised, then we come away from the crate and we stop using it altogether.There are a lot of reasons to keep them used to and loving their crate way beyond puppy-hood.When you have to board your dog. Especially if you go with a traditional boarding where they're going to be confined, even if it’s only at night, if your dog already has a good association with the crate with that, there's an extra peace of mind knowing that he's going to be comfortable there.When I used to board dogs in my house I didn't require a crate (with the exception of puppies not yet potty trained)  But if they were crate trained, I highly recommend bringing their crate because the dogs who slept in the crates at night made the best transition to the new environment. I very rarely had any kind of whining or anxiety.If your dog ever has to stay at the vet, either overnight or just during the day, they're going to keep them in a kennel or crate.  Knowing that they will be comfortable in the kennel can take away some of the stress that you will probably feel from having to leave them there in the first place. The few times Lucy had to stay at the vet they commented to me on how comfortable my she was while staying there.  She just curled up in the kennel and went sleep. If you have people coming in and out of your house. They could be professionals working on your house or if you have a cleaning service that comes in a few times a month. If you have visitors. Not everyone likes dogs (I don't understand it, but I respect it).  Or everyone is dressed up. Maybe it's a child that's a little scared of dogs.  It's great to have an option where you can give your dog a bully stick or a really great toy and he can chill in this crate for a little bit and be perfectly content.If there is an emergency.