Statistics show us that over 65% of all dogs purchased are not in their original home at the end of their first year of life. Some have changed owners as many as three or four times. In many cases, they have become such problem dogs that they have ended up in the local animal shelter where the majority are euthanized because new homes cannot be found for them.

What causes owner after owner to pass a puppy along? Chewing, digging, uncontrollable barking, running away and failure to housebreak seem to be the leading causes listed by the owners who have given up their dogs to the shelters. Some say that the pups are taking more time, care, or money than expected. Many cite the failure to become housebroken as the leading cause of puppy owner dissatisfaction, or at least, it seems to be the "straw that breaks the camels back".

I recommend the use of a crate to as a primary tool in training any puppy to become a family member. It can be the answer to many puppy behavior problems. It is important to begin training by calling a crate a crate, not a cage.

Somehow, new puppy owners seem to feel that crating is cruel and inhumane; a sentence to jail; a denial of freedom. These owners do not understand the dog's need for quiet security, privacy, shelter, and safety. Dogs are den-dwelling animals by nature and they adjust quickly to the crate if the owner approaches the training carefully. The crate will become a safe and private place for the dog, it's bed or den, complete with his favorite toy or bone.

Crates are available in a variety of sizes and styles. They are relatively inexpensive when all their benefits are considered. Make sure that the crate you choose is not too large for your puppy. He should be able to stand and turn around freely in the crate. The owner may wish to borrow a small crate while the puppy is young, deferring the purchase of a crate until the puppy has grown to nearer his adult size. A large crate can be made smaller by use of a cardboard box in the back of the crate to take up excess room until the puppy's growth requires the larger size.

Begin training by introducing the puppy to the crate by setting it in the center of the room in which the majority of the family activities take place. Leave the crate door open and place a soft bedding into it. Lay a choice "goodie" just inside the door. Walk away without fanfare and wait for the puppy to come over and take the treat. Place another treat further inside the crate so that the puppy will have to put a foot or more into the crate to obtain the treat. If the puppy is more prone to go in after a toy than he is for a food treat, use his favorite toy. Don't make a big deal out of this; just have the family go on with its normal routine. The owner may find it necessary to assist a young, smaller puppy at first by lifting its front legs into the crate. Some small puppies do better when they are lifted into the crate tail first and are allowed to exit by stepping forward out of the crate. Care must be taken to avoid forcing a puppy into the crate at this stage of the training.

After the puppy has become used to retrieving toys and food treats from the crate, put him gently into the crate with a toy or a bone to chew and close the door. Stay where he can see you or other family members and if he begins to fret call to him with a "Good Pup", "stay there" tone of voice. Don't go to the puppy if he becomes upset; wait until he calms down. Then go to the crate and offer a treat through the closed door. After a while, move back to the crate and as you pass by it, allow the door to open, step away, and let the puppy come out if he chooses to do so. I have found that if the puppy throws a temper tantrum at being in the crate, a sheet place over the top and sides will calm him because he can't see out. In our hot humid Florida weather, you'll want to use something light that will allow air to pass through, particularly if you are not in an air-conditioned location. When you teach the dog to crate, gradually extend the time you expect the puppy to be in the crate. Don't just put him in the crate and leave him until you know he can adjust to the time you will be away. Further, do not force the puppy into the crate, do not slam the door behind him, and never punish him by putting him in his crate until he will enter the crate on a verbal command to do so.

If you see that the puppy is adjusting well you may begin to crate the puppy for the night. In many cases acceptance of the crate is almost immediate. You may be surprised to find your puppy has gotten into his crate on his own to nap or to watch the world go by while he chews his toys. Once he has totally accepted his crate, you will find it to be your best housebreaking tool. Clean puppies do not want to soil their beds. Using the crate at night will teach the puppy to hold longer and longer but, of course, you must establish a routine that meets your puppy' needs. You must not make the poor puppy wait too long or he will soil the bed and you will find yourself set back in your house training. Be sure you use reason in the length of time you leave the puppy crated. If you see the dog is not having any trouble you may begin to crate the puppy for the night. In many cases acceptance of the crate is almost immediate.

Most puppy owners use a command to get the animals into the crates. Show dogs respond to the command "kennel". Find a command you are comfortable with and stick with it. I use "kennel up" when I mop the floors, and "go to bed" or "kennel up" at other times.

Once a dog is crate trained and he fully accepts the crate as his den, many uses become apparent. For example, if the dog should injure himself or become ill, the den will be invaluable during recovery and he will enter it to secure the privacy he wants during this time. If you relocate, the dog's home goes with him and his adjustment to the new location will be faster. He will be less stressed at home in his own den and will be less likely to damage his new surroundings than will pups left alone in a bathroom, laundry room, or garage where they can get into trouble quickly.
 

Crate training will continued to benefit the puppy throughout his entire  lifetime. He may need to be crated at the vets, at the groomer, or in a boarding kennel. The security of his crate environment  will keep him stress free away from home..

Puppies shouldn't be allowed to join you in your bedroom and should not be free to roam around the house at night as this will develop other problems for the owner. Place the crate in a location where the puppy can cause a minimal amount of disturbance, and make it safe and comfortable. Make the puppy sleep in it at night and use it when you travel for its extra protection in case of an accident. For example, it is safer to have the puppy secure inside a crate when you stop for gas as it will keep him from jumping from your car when you don't expect it. It will also stop the puppy from bouncing from window to window and it will keep him safely out of the driver's lap. When you arrive at your motel or destination what better place for your dog than his crate for a familiar bed and a bone to chew while everyone goes out to eat or to visit with friends?

Crating will help keep the pup calm when you must leave it home alone. If you have to be gone for a period of four hours or more you may want to set your crate inside an exercise pen leaving the door to the crate open. Make sure the pup is not wearing a collar and that he has water. There are new spill-proof water bowls available that are excellent for this purpose and there are many safe toys to chew. You may want to leave the television or radio playing as this seems to keep the puppy quiet.

At home, crates can be really welcome tools when you have workmen or children going in and out the doors, leaving doors and gates open; at times when there is noise or confusion in the house; when friends, who do not care for or are afraid of animals, visit. When guests arrive the crate is a great place for the dog where he can be safe and happy. And, finally, what a great place to dry the wet puppy after his bath!

Never, never, leave the pup tied alone inside or outside. You should never allow the pup to run free and unsupervised inside or outside the house. Chewing electric cords and drowning in toilets is an all too common occurrence when puppies are left to their own natural tendencies; to taste, chew, and explore.

All training is a matter of bonding and establishing human control over the puppy's behavior and activities. Crate training helps establish this control. Certainly, crating restricts the puppy's movement but contrast crating with the trauma of the owner coming home each and every time to a mess or damage, to yell and scold the puppy for soiling the rugs or worse, or chewing some valuable belonging, and you will recognize that the crate is a much better alternative!!!

Many people also use these types of  *Airline Approved* Crates

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