Crate training your dogs is not cruel and it is certainly not unusual. It is one of the most considerate things you can do for your dog/puppy. A crate is a dog’s sanctuary, refuge and happy home. It is a place where he can go to relax and to get away from commotion or things that are bothering him.

 Puppies learn from their mothers to not soil the place that they sleep. For that reason, they can be effective in teaching puppies to be potty trained. A puppy is not going to want to make their comfortable home a mess. Now this does not mean that it can not and will not happen. You still have to make sure that you take your dog/puppy out to relive them multiple times in a day. Even we can not hold it forever.

 Start out slowly. Encourage your puppy to enter the crate by either placing a treat inside or even their favorite toy, or a new one and saying “lets go to bed!” Close the door quietly behind them once they are inside. Keep the door closed for only a few minutes the first time that they are in it. If your dog/puppy starts to make a fuss, wine or bark, ignore them. Once he settles down, and is quiet, open the door and give them praise. Tell them good boy/girl and let them out. Make sure that the crate has either a bed or blanket inside so your dog/puppy has something to lie on, cuddle up with and stay warm with.

A puppy should never be left in its crate for more than 2 hours when you are not home. Food and water quickly goes through a puppies system and they are not able to hold it very long. Even if your dog is older, they are still not going to be able to hold it all day, especially with smaller breeds because they have a smaller bladder compared to larger breeds. Do not expect them to hold it for a long period of time!

Take him outside before placing them in there crate and immediately after taking him out of the crate. As soon as the dog/pup has done his business outside give them lots of praise. “Good potty!!”

At first, take your puppy out every 15-30 minutes. Make sure he relieves himself while outside no matter how long it may take. When he is done, give him praise “Good potty!” After a few days and even weeks, you will discover the pattern of when your dog/puppy needs to go out and relieve himself. Eventually you will learn your dog/puppies cues on when they have to go out and soon they will be telling you when it is time to let them out.

If your dog/puppy soils in the crate because you left him in if for too long, you will set the process back several weeks if not months. It is not your dog/puppies fault that they soiled in the cage or even house, it is your’s because you did not take them out. They can not take themselves out and never will. Never punish them for something that you could have controlled.