Country-Side Breeders

Crate Training

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One of the best investments you will make before you bring the puppy home is to purchase a "crate". They are available at Wal-Mart, Pet stores, some grocery stores and often can be found in the "for sale" column of your newspaper. Most of them are plastic or fiberglass, but you can also buy metal ones that allow the puppy to see everything that is going on. Remember that he is a baby and requires many hours of undisturbed sleep in his crate. A crate is not a "cage". It is - HIS PLACE - HIS BED - HIS ROOM - HIS SECURITY. DON'T FEEL GUILTY OR ALLOW YOUR FRIENDS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GUILTY BECAUSE YOU ARE CONFINING HIM PERIODICALLY. HE IS A DEN ANIMAL and likes to feel enclosed. He can get away from the cat, the kids, or the other dog, and be secure in the only place in the house that is "his". He can't get hurt while in the crate, he can't get into mischief when you're busy or at work, and he can't destroy anything of yours when left to his own devices.

A crate is also a wonderful housebreaking aid.Animals never want to 'soil' their den. Even 3 week old puppies will crawl away from the warmth of their mother to piddle on the newspaper 4 feet away. When he barks or whines after a sleep in the crate, you MUST rush him outside immediately. Ignore that cry and you'll defeat your housebreaking attempts and have an 'accident' to clean up. If you can, borrow a 'starter' crate that is the right size for the puppy, rather than a large one that he'll 'grow into'.When his space is a little restricted, but big enough to stretch out, he'll settle down better. If you must use a larger crate from the beginning, then put a cardboard box into the back portion to close off some of the area. It's best to use a bath towel in the crate for bedding.If the puppy has an accident it can be washed with soap and a little bleach easily. When his bathroom habits are more under control , you can give him a cushion for comfort. Your first few nights with him in the house will no doubt be noisy and you'll all be sleep-deprived. He'll probably howl like a banshee when he's put to bed with a firm "night-night" and the lights turned out if he's sleeping in an area by himself.Plug your ears, occasionally holler "quiet" at him, but don't go to him, unless you feel that he needs to go out for a bathroom break after an hour or so of racket. If the crate is put by your bed, the puppy often settles much more quickly, but many people do not want a dog in their bedroom area.

You and your family will have to make the decision as to where the pup will be sleeping.During the day, he'll need morning and afternoon sleeps too. These should also be in the crate - not on the couch or the carpet. He'll play very strenuously for a short time, then, like a baby, fall sound asleep. When this happens, gently pick him up, carry him to the crate and put him in with a quiet 'nite, nite', close the door and let him sleep. Be sure to listen for the wakeup cry and take him outside right away.