Dog Kennel Training, most often described as Crate Training, is the best way to get started with house breaking the new puppy you have just brought home. The 'Kennel' may be referred to as 'Crate' and 'Kennel Training' may be referred to as 'Crate Training' through out this article.
There are other benefits to a dog crate, other than just house training. When confined in a crate the puppy cannot be up to much mischief and get in any trouble, and remember, your costly shoes are safe from being chewed up. Crate training, if done the proper way, will also provide for a safe and secure 'den' where your pet will always be comfortable and safe.
To a dog out in the wild, it's den is the place it feels safe in, the place it seeks refuge in, the place it retreats to, to relax. The idea of dog kennel training is to make the crate you use, the den it would have sought out, had it been a dog in the wild.
To meet this end, the size of the crate, its structure, and the materials it is made from are very important along with the basic rule that the crate should not be used to punish the puppy in any form or manner what so ever. The puppy from day one should learn to trust the crate and not fear it.
The crate should be bought before you bring the puppy home for the first time. Chose a size that would be just correct for the puppy when it is a full grown dog. Imagine him or her being able to stand inside without it having to crouch but with only an inch or so away from the top of the dog's head to the ceiling of the crate.
The same theory should be applied to the length of the crate. When the dog is standing erect inside the crate there should be only an inch or so from the tip of the nose to the front side crate and a similar distance from its butt to the rear of the crate. A crate of such dimensions should allow a full grown dog to stand, turn around in a full circle and lie down comfortably without being cramped.
There should be no space inside the crate to allow the dog to 'ROAM' about or stand up on its hind legs. There are schools of thought that say the crate should fit as described above for all ages of the dog. This would mean buying a new crate every two months or so, till the dog is fully grown. It would be very advisable to buy a crate that would suit a full grown dog of its breed, but partition it to fit the puppy's present size, adjusting the partition as the puppy grows, till the partition is no longer needed.
It must be remembered that a dog will never soil its sleeping quarters, hence the size of the crate should permit for enough sleeping space only, if the crate is going to be used to house train and potty train the dog successfully.
When beginning the dog kennel training, it is of utmost importance that the puppy enters it of its own choice and not forced into it, or physically place into it. It must walk into it. Place a few choice treats inside the crate to lure him or her in for the first time. A comfortable puppy blanket and a few chew toys should make the crate a very attractive proposition, and a cool place to hang out in.
As always, rewards go a long way. Once the puppy has entered the crate for the first time make a show of adding another treat and add some verbal praise to make the puppy aware that you want it, and like it to be in there. Give the puppy the chance and freedom to exit the crate and re enter it at least a couple of times before you close it for the first time.
After closing it for the first time, reopen it after a few minutes. Repeat the act of closing and opening the crate door a couple of times, but lengthen the time it has been shut each time. Make sure that you are always within the puppy's sight. It should feel it is still a part of the happenings around it, even though it is locked in the crate.
It is natural that the puppy will start whining the first time you close the crate. DO NOT open the crate or talk to the puppy on account of the whining. Letting out the puppy for potty breaks have to be scheduled according to its age. The breaks would be more frequent in younger pups. An hour for a puppy that is just a few weeks old.
Use an hour for a month of age, so if the puppy is 3 months old, you can safely confine him for a period of 3 hours before his next potty break, but that is only a guide, you would have to monitor the disposition of the puppy when it is in the crate to make sure that it is not experiencing any discomfort on the account of a full bladder.
Dog kennel training is a must in the training regime of every puppy. It makes house training very easy and keeps your possessions safe from sharp little teeth enhancing your chances of having a pet that is welcome in your household.
