by Linda Spradlin

Created on: February 09, 2009

How to properly house-train a pet dog

To properly housebreak a puppy, your first purchase should be a good, safe crate.

Please allow me to first debate the crate; I know many of you do not appreciate the crate. It's not a jail cell. Don't think of the crate as a means of punishment, it's far from that. Think of it as a way to keep your pet from getting into trouble, and a safe place for him to go when he feels uncomfortable for any reason. If a dog barks and whines while he's in his crate it's because he feels secluded from his pack, and not because he's in a crate. Dogs have carried many instincts with them from the wild life they once lived. A crate is the dog's den. Set it up to make it both fun and comfortable for him. The crate should be set up in a place that's not secluded from the family. I am big on crating the dog in my bedroom at night, even if I have to move it every day.

Setting up and getting to know your crate; In the front of the crate place something of yours that holds your scent, like a t-shirt, towel or a blanket. I use one blanket that I can cut into four pieces so I could change it often for laundering. Add an empty food bowl and water to the front of the crate. A large water bottle that hangs outside the crate works best so he can't spill it. Then add a pee-pee pad on the other end. Dogs don't like to eliminate where they sleep or eat, so separate the two areas as best you can, even though you don't have much room to work with. No matter how you set it up, keep it clean. At first, place a treat just inside the door, so he can find it on his own. Eventually put the treats in the middle, and then to back of his crate, or hide them in his bed for him to find later. Tie a toy he likes from the top of the crate, so that it hangs down over his bed not in his way, but easy for him to reach. That way he can only play with that toy only while he's in his crate. EVERY time he walks through the doorway of his crate, say "crate" or "kennel" so he'll learn a word to associate with the place. When he's comfortable with his crate, begin to give the command, crate' and toss a treat in, when he follows the treat in the crate, praise him and shut the door just for a few minutes at first, slowly increasing the length of time. Practice telling him crate' from farther away. Once consistent, try it without a visible treat, but remember to give him his treat if you get the correct response!

Crate training; from the time you bring your new puppy home, he should

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