Crate training your puppy can drastically improve your success rate and happiness for both you and your dog. Using a crate to train your puppy can be a comfortable and rewarding experience if done the right way. In addition to teaching the young pup where to go potty, the crate will become a safe place the puppy can den.

A dog is a valuable family member that brings joy and love to almost anyone he lives with. But for all his personality, intelligence, and cuteness, he is an animal after all. And in being an animal he retains some of his ancestral habits that have helped him survive in the wild. Habits like chasing rabbits, barking at strangers, ‘marking’ territory and sleeping in a den.

What is a den and what does it have to do with crate training?

Usually located underground or in a hollow, such as a fallen tree, tree trunk or small cave, a den is a safe, secluded spot a dog can sleep and raise cubs. A place tucked away from dangerous predators or bad weather providing a quite and comfortable separated area.

A dog crate is a small wire or plastic kennel where a dog can be safely placed when in transport or when you need to remove him from the rest of the house. The Kennel will protect the dog from other animals, and protect other animals, people, furniture, toys, dinner etc. from the dog. It will be a place the dog can sleep without fear of being harassed, attacked or bothered and it will keep the dog from getting into any mischief. In the modern world the crate provides much the same function as the den and fulfills the dog’s ancestral desire for such an area.

The crate also has the one most important function when trying to potty train your puppy. Your puppy does not want to sit, sleep or lay in its own feces and urine. And because he doesn’t, he will hold his potty as long as he possibly can whenever he is in his crate. You might be surprised how long even a young puppy can hold it when there is no option to go on the rug, tile, sofa leg, (uh oh) outside or on a puppy pad (GOOD BOY!)

Crate training will save your carpet, furniture and your frustration without the constant 24-hour surveillance and hourly trips outside most people do not have time for. In addition, the crate will be a comfortable, safe place the puppy will want to be and he will quickly adapt to his routine and boundaries you put in place. You will be happy with your newly trained puppy and your puppy will be ecstatic that you’re happy with him.

There is quite a bit of controversy over whether crate training your puppy is the 'right' or 'best' way to housetrain. Many owners feel the crate is tantamount to solitary confinement and punishment on an innocent puppy. Others believe it is the only way to housetrain a new puppy and to introduce them to a safe, secure place. If not done properly, crate training can be detrimental to the puppy’s development and happiness. If, however, done the RIGHT WAY, crate training puppies can be a very rewarding experience for owner and puppy alike.

At http://crate-train-puppies.com you will find valuable resources on how to housetrain your new puppy, why you can crate train guilt free, and how NOT to crate train. You can find training tips and information on other training related topics for you and your puppy.

http://crate-train-puppies.com