Puppy Month - Part Two - Getting Started with you puppy

Crate training

Housing safely and potty training, are two things you will concentrate on when you bring home your new service dog puppy. One thing that really helps with this, (and other types of training), is using a crate. Introducing your pup correctly will make all the difference. 

But why use a crate?

We are big proponents for using a crate with our service dog puppies.
Here are a few reasons why:

1.) One of the main reasons is it helps us keeps our puppies safe. 
2.) It can teach them to live in our home more quickly.
3.) It’s a great management tool.
4.) Having them comfortable staying in a crate can help down the road if we need to house them due to illness or injury. 
5.) It can also be handy for traveling with a puppy, especially one who isn’t used to being in a vehicle. 

Is using a crate cruel?

Absolutely not. A crate can be your puppy’s favorite place in the world. Think of it as his crib. Use treats, praise, and toys to make your puppy love his crate. Just remember never to use the crate for more than 3-4 hours at a time, except for bedtime.

Whats the most important part? 

Getting the puppy to use to the crate the right way.

Step 1. Begin crate training right away—preferably the first day your puppy is in your home.

Step 2. Throw small, tasty treats into the crate one at a time. Praise your puppy when he goes in to get the treat. You can also feed your puppy his meals in his crate.

Step 3. When your puppy is comfortable going into the crate, practice closing the door for 1-2 seconds, then treat him through the door. Let him back out. Repeat this step many times, gradually building to 10 seconds.

Step 4. Stuff a Kong with something very yummy or use a special bone that will take a lot of time to chew. Put the chewies in the crate. Shut the door. Move about the house normally. Let your puppy back out after 5 minutes or when he finishes his treat. Don’t make a fuss over him.

Repeat this step several times, varying the length of your absences from 1 to 20 minutes.

Step 5. Next, leave your puppy in the crate with something delicious and safe while you leave the house for short errands, like getting the mail or watering the garden. Gradually build your absences.

Important tip
 
When using the crate for potty training overnight, if your puppy wakes you up to go potty, be sure to take them out quietly, let them go potty, (you can treat if you want), and right back into the crate. This helps them learn to settle back down, and cuts down on whining and barking, eventually. 😊

🗓️ Next Week: The Puppy Raising Formula

Resources

1.) For more informaion on Crate Training click on the link below to visit our FREE Youtube channel 
https://www.youtube.com/mydogandmellc

(Credit for displayed video, (at top of page), "Day 1 - Walking into the crate”, is My Service Dog and Me Academy.) 
 
My Service Dog and Me Team 🦮