Instinctively, dogs will not soil the area where they sleep. Therefore, a crate can offer your dog a place to rest without the risk of going potty in his safety zone. Ideally, this will teach your dog to hold it and wait for you to let him out. Of course, if left alone for an unreasonable amount of time (or if ill) the dog may go potty in the crate. Don't punish the dog in these instances. Simply clean the crate and eliminate the smell so the dog can return to his comfortable spot again.

Crate training also keeps your dog from testing his limits and getting into things while you aren't home. He can't give in to the urge to destroy things to get attention if he is confined to his own personal space and doesn't have access to your things.

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How to Introduce Your Puppy to the Crate

It's important to ease your puppy into the idea of the crate. Eventually you hope that he will use it as a safe place to sleep, rest, and stay when you are away for short periods of time, but don't expect that to happen overnight. Start by making the crate comfortable for the dog with comfortable bedding and toys. Introduce the crate during playtime and put your hand in the crate. Encourage the puppy to go in the crate. Offer treats and praise when he goes in on his own.

Gradually leave the puppy in the cage for longer periods of time. At first, only use the crate when you are home and put the crate in another area of the house so you can monitor his behavior. You can feel secure in leaving him for several hours at a time once he is completely comfortable in his new home.

Dog Crate Training Isn't a Punishment

You should encourage your dog to rest and sleep in the crate. Don't use the crate as a place to confine the dog when he is trouble, though. He will start to identify the crate with being punished and he's not likely to use it for what it is intended for. With dog crate training, a crate cannot be used as both a safe place to retreat and a punishment spot.