Congratulations on your new puppy!! With all the excitement there also comes new roles and responsibilities as a puppy parent. Your puppy is going to want to explore every nook and cranny and will want to chew on everything in sight. One of the things that will help with that is crate training. Crate training is very beneficial to you and your dog— Crates aren’t just comforting and protective for your pup, they also provide you with peace of mind and moments to relax. This method is extremely effective for when you house train your dog.

Benefits of Crate Training

There are several benefits to crate training a puppy. Some of the benefits include:

1. Potty training your puppy. A crate that is sized properly will make it less likely that your puppy will not go to the bathroom in their crate. You can use this to help train them when and where to go.

2. Creating boundaries for your puppy. The crate can limit access to the rest of the house while your pup learns other house rules.

3. Down time for your puppy. Crate training is a good way to train your dog to enjoy time alone.

4. Transportating your puppy. It is a great way to transport your puppy to and from the vet, groomer, and road trips.

Selecting a Crate

Purchase a crate that gives your puppy enough room to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down with their legs stretched. Always get a bigger crate that your puppy can grow into. These crates come with a divider panel that lets you adjust the size while they grow. All MLF Families receive a discount from DIGGS. Discount will automatically apply at checkout.

Crate sizing:

Small is designed for dogs up to 30 lbs. This size works great for our Petite and Mini Goldendoodles.
Medium is designed for dogs up to 50 lbs. This size works great for our Mini and Medium Goldendoodles.
Intermediate is designed for larger dogs up to 70 lbs. This size works great for our Standard Goldendoodles.

HOW TO CRATE TRAIN YOUR PUPPY

Keep the crate close: Introduce the crate by opening up the door and allow your puppy to explore its new surroundings. Once you do that you can start by putting them in there for short periods at a time. Starting with 5 minutes, then 10, 20, 30, etc. Keep the crate close to you while you are doing the dishes, watching tv, or reading. This will help acclimate your puppy to soon realize that the crate isn’t a bad place. Don’t place the crate in direct sunlight, or on top of heating or cooling vents.

Reward and Praise: Every time your puppy goes in, reward it with a training aid, treat, toy, or praise. Make the kennel a fun and exciting place so the puppy will want to go in. Soon it will associate the crate with positive experiences and see it as a place to enjoy toys, treats, and a nice nap.

Make it snug: Add a blanket or dog bed to make it more comfortable. You could also try draping a blanket over the top of the crate to make it easier for your puppy to sleep. A blanket can also help your puppy feel more secure in a tighter space so it can relax if it had troubles otherwise. Some people like to leave their favorite toy in the crate to keep them company. If so, make sure it is big enough that the puppy can’t chew and choke on it. 

Crate at night or when you leave: When your dog can spend 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious, you can begin leaving him/her crated for short periods when you leave the house. At night, put your dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat. They may cry the first night or two—remember they are adjusting to their new home. Every time you take the puppy out of the crate, take it outside so it can go to the bathroom. The puppy will get used to the idea that potty time comes after crate time.

Remember to be patient as your puppy is learning and getting used to its new environment. Crate training a puppy is so worth it!  

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