Before you start actually using your crate, your puppy will need to learn that it is a good place to be. Many breeders begin the crate training before the puppies leave, if this is the case with your puppy, still follow the steps below.
Take a tasty treat and / or toy. Lure the puppy into the crate, praise and make a general big fuss with the puppy while they are in the crate, give the treat, have a little game with the toy and then allow the puppy to come out of the crate. Do this 2 to 3 time in a row. Your puppy will soon be running into the crate of his own accord, so you can now put a ‘word’ to the crate for your puppy. ‘Crate’ ‘Den’ or ‘Bed’ are quite good words to use.
Many pups and adult dogs will retreat to their crate (or ‘den’ to their way of thinking) if they want some quiet time. The crate should be your pups own personal space, just for them, somewhere quiet but where they can still see what the rest of their pack (you and your family) are doing.
Never leave a young pup or adult dog in a crate for long periods of time unless absolutely necessary. The crate is just a training aid and safe house for your pup and should never become a total way of life. This is not what crates were ever designed for, and like any tool can become cruel if abused. Young pups should be crated or denned for their own safety when they can not be supervised, but they need to come out frequently to go to the potty.
