My Dog Training Secrets 

Puppies, like babies, need a lot of care and attention. If your new puppy is an indoor dog, then you will need to house train him. Crate training is without a doubt the most effective way to housebreak a puppy. It is easy, safe and will keep your house clean. Crate training can be very beneficial to both owner and puppy when done correctly. Crate training will make your first few weeks as a dog owner much easier and more enjoyable.

You can place your puppy's favorite toys and dog treats at the far end opposite the door opening. Toys and balls should always be inedible and large enough to prevent them from being swallowed. You may also place a bone filled with cheese or dog treats in the crate.

For dogs who will be in the crate for more than two hours, a small hamster-type water dispenser with ice water should be attached to the crate. You can put a T-shirt, towel or blanket inside the crate to create a soft place for the puppy. If the puppy chews the bedding you should remove it to keep the puppy from eating the pieces and choking. Although most puppies like lying on bedding, some like to rest on the cool, harder surface and may push the bedding to one end of the crate. If the puppy goes to the bathroom on the bedding, remove the bedding until the puppy no longer goes to the bathroom in the crate.

When possible, it is good to place the crate in a place near or next to you when you are home so this will encourage the puppy to go inside without feeling lonely when you leave. Using a central location in your apartment or home, like the living room or kitchen, near an entrance is a good place to keep the crate. As the puppy becomes an adult you may be able to move the crate to another location if there is a lot of company which could frighten the dog if left in the crate with a lot of commotion. When a puppy, however, it may be best to place the crate close to an entrance so you can get them to the yard more easily.

As the puppy grows, the use of the crate will give the puppy a place of refuge when he is afraid or just wants to be left alone, reduce separation anxiety, keep them from possibly dangerous situations, and can make a good travel crate for trip in cars and planes. The crate can even have the door removed so the dog will feel very welcomed in his own bed whenever he wants to go in. Crate training is the most convenient and reliable method of house breaking your dog and giving them a place of security.