Your New Puppy

Here are some great tips for puppy ownership that will serve you well. Some of these can be used into adulthood.

The first thing that we strongly suggest is that you invest in a dog crate.

Your puppy will encounter daily stressors from training exercises and just day to day activities. Most of wich is just fine. The crate is the one place your puppy can go and completely relax.

The crate has three walls and a roof and your pup knows he is completely safe and all those day to day stressors can quickly dissipate.

Think about it from your dog’s point of view. Have you ever had company over and it got a little loud and you find your dog relaxing in the closet or under the table, mybe behind the sofa. They are simply following a deep-seated den instinct.

Canines are den animals. They need a special place that represents safety. Crates provide the security of a den for your dog or puppy when you are absent and reduces the possibility of destructive and possibly dangerous habits from developing. If you are a parent and you have a toddler, and you don’t want her to stick the fork in the light socket you know you have to lock up the silverware and put covers over the sockets. You have given your child no other choice but to stay safe. Crate training is especially recommended for young puppies. You will be more relaxed and happy with your pup if you know he can’t destroy things while you are gone. Crating your puppy will prevent him from chewing on electrical cords, eating household poisons, or swallowing harmful objects in your absence. Crates allow the pup to be confined in your bedroom with you and not isolated in the kitchen or garage, resulting in better bonding and less crying during the night. Crates are also extremely useful while housetraining. Pups will instinctively try not to soil their own sleeping area, and you are right there if the puppy needs to relieve himself. When you need a rest from the puppy, you can use the crate as a playpen. Crates are not jail for a dog - that is a human perception. Puppies and older dogs will happily accept a crate if YOU do, and if you work slowly to introduce the crate. Your attitude affects how the dog feels about it, so make sure it is a positive one. Crates should always represent a safe haven for your dog and should NEVER be used to discipline your dog or puppy. Although the initial cost of a crate may seem high, when compared to the costs of repairing or replacing damaged furniture or rugs, a trip to the emergency vet, or the heartache of having to surrender a pet that has developed destructive habits, it is an excellent investment. Buy a crate that is big enough for your puppy to stand up, sit and turn around comfortably when he is full grown. If it is too big for your new puppy, you can section off one end of the crate with a metal divider or cardboard boxes. This prevents him for eliminating at one end and sleeping at the other, defeating the purpose of the crate as a housetraining tool. Wire crates should be covered on the top and sides so that they are cozier and to protect the dog from drafts. 

 Introducing Your Dog To The Crate Expect to give your dog one or two weeks to become accustomed to the crate. You should keep the crate with you, in the room you are in, while teaching your dog to enter his crate on command. The crate can be moved to the bedroom as a sleeping area at night when he is comfortable with it. Assemble the crate out of sight of your dog, and leave the door off, or tie it open for the first few days. On the first day, throw a goodie into the crate every 10 to 15 minutes. Let the dog find the goodie (draw his attention to it if he doesn’t notice.) Praise enthusiastically when your dog goes in the crate to get the goodie and ignore him when he leaves. Remove the top of the crate if the dog is still hesitant to enter the crate. When your dog starts to check the crate for goodies or begins to enter the crate on his own, hold a treat in one hand, give a command (we suggest “Kennel or “Go To Bed”) and throw the treat in the back. If he runs in, praise him and let him leave. Do this several times during the next few hours. The next step is to get your dog into the crate and hold on to the treat. Give your command, and if your dog goes into the crate, give him the treat, praise and say, “Okay” to release him when he leaves. During the next few days, give your dog attention only when he enters the crate. Ignore him otherwise. He should enter the crate without hesitation before you move to the next step. If you have removed the top and/or door to the crate, put them on again.

 Give the command for the dog to go into his crate, give him a goodie, and close the door briefly while praising him. Open the door and give your release command, “Okay”. Make your praise loud and enthusiastic while your dog is in the crate and ignore him when he leaves. Gradually work up to 30 seconds with the door closed, then one minute and so on. You should stay near the crate and talk to your dog gently as you increase the amount of time he is in the crate with the door closed. If he enters the crate on his own, give him a treat and praise. Always release your dog from the crate with “Okay”. Introduce a special (indestructible!) toy that your dog gets only while in the crate and a Gumabone or Nylabone for him to chew on. Gradually increase the amount of time that he spends in the crate while you are home, in two to five minute increments. Repeat several times a day. You can put a washable blanket or towel in the crate for the dog to sleep on. Pads made especially for crates are also available (young puppies may tear them up, however). When he is comfortable and quiet in the crate for 30 minutes at a time in your presence, begin to leave the house for short periods. Put the crate in a quiet room, close the drapes and put your dog in the crate. He should be exercised, tired and empty (never confine a dog without allowing him to eliminate first). Shut the crate, leave the house for five minutes and return. Let you dog out without any fanfare. If the dog is crying, howling or barking when you return, rap on the crate and growl “Quiet”. Let the dog out as soon as he is quiet for a few seconds. Repeat the process the next time your dog gets sleepy. Gradually increase the amount oftime you are gone, on 5-10 minute segments. As a general rule, young puppies can be crated only for short periods of time, for approximately the number of hours equal to their age in months (4 months = 4 hours). Keep the crate in a quiet area where your dog will not be disturbed if he wants to retreat to it. Check to be sure that the area is free of drafts and not too hot. Do not leave food in the crate for you dog during the day as this will stimulate his digestive tract. A water bottle (such as one used for rabbits) can be attached to the outside of the crate to provide access to water, if